linguistic

adjective

lin·​guis·​tic liŋ-ˈgwi-stik How to pronounce linguistic (audio)
variants or less commonly linguistical
liŋ-ˈgwi-sti-kəl How to pronounce linguistic (audio)
Synonyms of linguisticnext
: of or relating to language or linguistics
linguistic scholars
linguistic changes
linguistically
liŋ-ˈgwi-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce linguistic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of linguistic

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Examples of linguistic in a Sentence

the age at which children begin to acquire linguistic skills
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anedda’s way of capturing different moments from different linguistic or interpretive points of view allows the everyday elements of our lives to find space in poetry, democratically. — Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 If O’Donnell’s tenure on Kimmel was a welcome hug of nostalgia, then this White House statement is a boring retread of the administration’s linguistic greatest hits. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 The distinction between Blond and Blonde becomes a tiny linguistic fault line—two versions of the same word occupying slightly different identities. — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 John Gruber, a tech blogger, posited that Claude would now more readily default to watermarked words, rather than unleash the full scope of its linguistic range, which might result in lower-quality text, or in some cases unusable prose. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for linguistic

Word History

Etymology

linguist + -ic entry 1, probably after German linguistisch

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of linguistic was in 1825

Phrases Containing linguistic

Rhymes for linguistic

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Browse Nearby Words

linguister
linguistic
linguistically
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Cite this Entry

“Linguistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linguistic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

linguistic

adjective
lin·​guis·​tic liŋ-ˈgwis-tik How to pronounce linguistic (audio)
: of or relating to language or linguistics
linguistically
-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce linguistic (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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