adjective
semantic
sih-MAN-tik/sɪˈmæntɪk/
Relating to meaning in language, logic, or symbols.
The two pictures show the semantic difference between two meanings of bank.
Etymology
The Greek base concerns showing or indicating by a sign, and the resulting adjective meant 'significant.' Its linguistic use focuses on what words and other signs convey.
In context
translation is a semantic endeavor which means that you're transferring meaning
More examples
- Changing one word creates a subtle semantic shift.
- Their disagreement is semantic; they describe the same idea with different words.
- In logic, semantic rules explain how symbols get their meanings.
Forms
semantically adverb — With respect to meaning rather than form.
semantics noun — The study of meaning in language.
Similar words
- linguistic
- Concerns language broadly, not specifically the meanings it conveys.
- conceptual
- Concerns ideas and concepts, not necessarily meanings expressed through symbols.