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

Relevance
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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.
Law enforcement is urging the public to look at the linguistic patterns of the notes. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2026 Timeline of her kidnapping, search updates Investigators say that the distinctive linguistic characteristics in the notes may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the kidnappers. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 Though to modern eyes these landscapes might seem a world apart, to medieval monks the linguistic parallels were obvious. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 But today’s linguistic diversity may be only the shadow of a time when humans conversed in 10 times as many tongues. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 23 July 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 12 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on linguistic

Nglish: Translation of linguistic for Spanish Speakers

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