synthetic

[ sin-thet-ik ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, proceeding by, or involving synthesis ( analytic ).
2. noting or pertaining to compounds formed through a chemical process by human agency, as opposed to those of natural origin:

   synthetic vitamins; synthetic fiber.

3. (of a language) characterized by a relatively widespread use of affixes, rather than separate words, to express syntactic relationships: Compare analytic ( def 3 ), polysynthetic ( def 1 ).

   Latin is a synthetic language, while English is analytic.

4. Also syn·theti·cal. Logic. of or relating to a noncontradictory proposition in which the predicate is not included in, or entailed by, the subject.
5. not real or genuine; artificial; feigned:

   a synthetic chuckle at a poor joke.

   Synonyms: sham, counterfeit, phony, fake

6. Jewelry.
   1. noting a gem mineral manufactured so as to be physically, chemically, and optically identical with the mineral as found in nature.
   2. (not in technical use) noting a gem mineral manufactured and pigmented in imitation of a natural gemstone of that name.

noun

1. something made by a synthetic, or chemical, process.
2. synthetics.
   1. substances or products made by chemical synthesis, as plastics or artificial fibers.
   2. the science or industry concerned with such products.

synthetic

/ sɪnˈθɛtɪk /

adjective

1. (of a substance or material) made artificially by chemical reaction
2. not genuine; insincere

   synthetic compassion

3. denoting languages, such as Latin, whose morphology is characterized by synthesis Compare polysynthetic agglutinative analytic
4. philosophy
   1. (of a proposition) having a truth-value that is not determined solely by virtue of the meanings of the words, as in all men are arrogant
   2. contingent Compare a posteriori empirical

noun

1. a synthetic substance or material

synthetic

/ sĭn-thĕt′ĭk /

1. Produced artificially, especially in a laboratory or other man-made environment. Nylon is a synthetic chemical compound.

Derived Forms

• synˈthetically, adverb

Other Words From

• syn·theti·cal·ly adverb
• nonsyn·thetic adjective
• nonsyn·theti·cal adjective
• nonsyn·theti·cal·ly adverb
• unsyn·thetic adjective
• unsyn·theti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of synthetic¹

1690–1700; < New Latin syntheticus < Greek synthetikós, equivalent to synthet ( ós ) placed together, verbid of syntithénai to put together ( syn- syn- + the-, stem of tithénai to put, place + -tos verbid suffix) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of synthetic¹

C17: from New Latin syntheticus, from Greek sunthetikos expert in putting together, from suntithenai to put together; see synthesis

Example Sentences

There are already synthetic receptors that give us some control over this sequence of events, most famously the chimeric antigen receptors used in CAR-T cell cancer therapy.

From Science Daily

Most synthetic bone graft substitutes currently on the market can't match the performance of natural bone.

From Science Daily

Less than five millimeters in size, the thread-like fibers come from synthetic clothing materials like fleece, cosmetics, packaging materials and carpeting.

From Science Daily

"Basically we accomplished the molecular version of synthetic lethality, a well-known genetics phenomenon, wherein two mutations are only deadly when combined," said Seyedsayamdost.

From Science Daily

Plastic pollution is regarded as a serious issue by scientists because the synthetic polymers used in plastic can take centuries to break down.

From Salon

Related Words

• fabricated
• manufactured