linguistic

adjective

lin·​guis·​tic liŋ-ˈgwi-stik 

variants or less commonly linguistical

liŋ-ˈgwi-sti-kəl 

: of or relating to language or linguistics

linguistic scholars

linguistic changes

linguistically

liŋ-ˈgwi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of linguistic

• verbal
• communicative
• lexical
• rhetorical

Examples of linguistic in a Sentence

the age at which children begin to acquire linguistic skills

Recent Examples on the Web

Not a repository for Bollywood’s Hindi-language cinema alone, but a defender of India’s full linguistic and regional range. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026

This means linguistic trouble, but only for their parents’ native tongue. —Valerie Fridland, Big Think, 21 Apr. 2026

Planned amidst the rising fascist tides that by this date buffeted Switzerland’s borders on the south and north alike, the exhibition aimed to shore up a sense of national identity in a country famously marked by diverse linguistic and cultural traditions. —Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026

But what recurs now is pure linguistic gesture—the second time as empty effigy. —Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

linguist + -ic entry 1, probably after German linguistisch

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing linguistic

• linguistic atlas
• linguistic form
• linguistic geography

Rhymes for linguistic

• artistic
• autistic
• ballistic
• cladistic
• heuristic
• holistic
• logistic
• monistic
• patristic
• sadistic
• simplistic
• sophistic

Kids Definition

linguistic

adjective

lin·​guis·​tic liŋ-ˈgwis-tik 

: of or relating to language or linguistics

linguistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb