systematic
Americanadjective
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having, showing, or involving a system, method, or plan.
a systematic course of reading; systematic efforts.
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given to or using a system or method; methodical.
a systematic person.
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arranged in or comprising an ordered system.
systematic theology.
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concerned with classification.
systematic botany.
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pertaining to, based on, or in accordance with a system of classification.
the systematic names of plants.
adjective
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characterized by the use of order and planning; methodical
a systematic administrator
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comprising or resembling a system
systematic theology
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Also: systematical. biology of or relating to the taxonomic classification of organisms
Synonym Usage
See orderly.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of systematic
First recorded in 1670–80; from Late Latin systēmaticus, from Greek systēmatikós, equivalent to systēmat- (stem of sýstēma ) “system” + -ikos adjective suffix; see origin at system, -ic
Explanation
Systematic describes something that is planned out and careful. In your systematic search for your mother's car keys, you start in one room, looking everywhere from bottom to top before moving to the next room. Use the adjective systematic to describe things that are orderly and efficient. The Latin root of systematic is systema, an arrangement or system. Think about a multi-step process that you have found the fastest and best way to complete — you do it over and over. You might be systematic about packing for a long trip or the way you travel up and down the aisles at a grocery store, probably with a list in your hand.
Vocabulary lists containing systematic
List 6
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Holes
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The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Federal health authorities, Essayli said, “recognize that unusual patterns of cancer and community concerns regarding potential environmental exposures should be evaluated through a systematic, science-based process.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
“The Israel Prison Service rejects attempts to portray systematic abuse or unlawful conduct by its personnel,” the agency’s spokesperson said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
Al Jazeera said Wishah's death on Saturday "constitutes a new and flagrant violation of all international laws and norms, and reflects a continued systematic policy of targeting journalists and silencing the voice of truth".
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
July 1 marks the date when retirement contributions, target-date funds, passive allocations, mutual funds and systematic strategies all start putting fresh money to work.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 18, 2026
From bacteria to elephants—from red-eyed flies to blue-blooded princes—biological information flowed through living systems in a systematic, archetypal manner: DNA provided instructions to build RNA.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
