grammar

gram·mar

noun \ˈgra-mər\

Definition of GRAMMAR

1

a : the study of the classes of words, their inflections, and their functions and relations in the sentence b : a study of what is to be preferred and what avoided in inflection and syntax

2

a : the characteristic system of inflections and syntax of a language b : a system of rules that defines the grammatical structure of a language

3

a : a grammar textbook b : speech or writing evaluated according to its conformity to grammatical rules

4

: the principles or rules of an art, science, or technique <a grammar of the theater>; also : a set of such principles or rules

— gram·mar·i·an \grə-ˈmer-ē-ən\ noun

Examples of GRAMMAR

1. English grammar can be hard to master.
2. comparing English and Japanese grammar
3. comparing the grammars of English and Japanese
4. “Him and I went” is bad grammar.
5. I know some German, but my grammar isn't very good.

Origin of GRAMMAR

Middle English gramere, from Anglo-French gramaire, modification of Latin grammatica, from Greek grammatikē, from feminine of grammatikos of letters, from grammat-, gramma — more at gram

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GRAMMAR

Synonyms: ABC(s), alphabet, basics, elements, essentials, fundamentals, principles, rudiments

Related Words: basis, bedrock, cornerstone, foundation, groundwork, keystone, underpinning; nitty-gritty; belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, faith, philosophy; axiom, law, precept, tenet; rule, standard; theorem

Near Antonyms: details, trivia

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with GRAMMAR

clamber, clammer, clamor, crammer, gammer, glamour, hammer, jammer, lamber, rammer, scammer, shammer, slammer, spammer, stammer, yammer