To save this word, you'll need to log in.
et·ic | \ ˈe-tik 
\
\Definition of etic
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of, relating to, or involving analysis of cultural phenomena from the perspective of one who does not participate in the culture being studied — compare emic
-etic
adjective suffixDefinition of -etic (Entry 2 of 2)
: -ic limnetic —often in adjectives corresponding to nouns ending in -esisgenetic
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on etic
What made you want to look up etic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
- The magician
______moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- More Confusing Words—Quiz
How many of these commonly confused words do you know?
Take the quiz - Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your high score.
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Dictionary Devil
The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?
Play the game
Share etic
Time Traveler for etic
The first known use of etic was in 1954
See more words from the same year