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
Related Words
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.
These methods allowed them to study the meaning and structure of dream descriptions in a systematic way.
From Science Daily • Apr. 28, 2026
And yet a systematic review showed there was almost no evidence that they benefit salmon and trout populations.
From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026
For now, analyzing trading flows offers the best insight into quants and other systematic investors, who invest off data analysis and computerized trading rules.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
Bank trading units now manage about $850 billion in QIS programs globally, up from $362 billion five years ago, according to Premialab, which helps institutions analyze systematic market-data strategies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
Copernicus tells us that he engaged in a systematic programme of reading as he struggled with the formulation of his new astronomy.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
