semantic

adjective

se·​man·​tic si-ˈman-tik 

variants or less commonly semantical

si-ˈman-ti-kəl 

1

: of or relating to meaning in language

the process of semantic development

In real estate, there's more than a semantic difference between a dead end and a cul-de-sac.

—Sue Corbett

The semantic debate over their very job title speaks to the apparent discomfort some landlords are feeling about their business model—housing as a commodity.

—Bridget Read

2

: of or relating to semantics

semantically

si-ˈman-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of semantic in a Sentence

the process of semantic development

Recent Examples on the Web

One such template application involves encrypted semantic search, which queries databases or datasets and returns relevant results based on the context or meaning of the search terms rather than keywords that match them. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026

One study found that older women who ate more eggs per week had a lower decline in semantic memory (long-term memory of general knowledge) and executive function over four years. —Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2026

Textualism in practice also takes into account the semantic contexts in which words or phrases are used. —Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026

Snowflake and Databricks all have their own semantic layer offerings baked into stacks enterprises are already paying for. —Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek sēmantikós "(of sounds) conveying meaning, significant, (of a circumstance) indicative," from sēmantós, verbal adjective of sēmaínein "to indicate, point out, signify, make a signal, give a sign, (in middle voice) mark, identify" (verbal derivative from the base of sēmat-, sêma "distinguishing mark, sign, token, signal, omen, tomb" and sēmeîon "marking, sign, token, signal") + -ikos -ic entry 1; sēm- in sêma and sēmeîon of uncertain origin

Note: The base sēm-, Doric sām- has been compared with Sanskrit dhyāma "thought" (attested only in lexica) and dhyā́yati "s/he thinks, contemplates." Greek sêma would then be the outcome of Indo-European *d^hi̯eh₂-mn̥-. The meanings "sign" and "thought" are too far apart, however, to support such an etymology. The derivative sēmeîon is peculiar in that -mat- is a suffix and would not ordinarily be split apart in order to add another suffix. A comparable formation is mnêma "reminder, record, memorial" and the near-synonymous mnēmeîon, though in this case the ulterior etymology is clear.

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for semantic

• atlantic
• gigantic
• pedantic
• romantic
• vedantic
• antic
• frantic
• transatlantic
• unromantic

Kids Definition

semantic

adjective

se·​man·​tic si-ˈmant-ik 

1

: of or relating to meaning in language

2

: of or relating to semantics

semantically

-ˈmant-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb