linguistic

adjective

lin·​guis·​tic liŋ-ˈgwi-stik How to pronounce linguistic (audio)
variants or less commonly linguistical
: of or relating to language or linguistics
linguistic scholars
linguistic changes
linguistically adverb

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.
Significantly, this executive order revokes a previous one, issued by President Bill Clinton, which mandated that the federal government offer linguistic access to people with limited English proficiency. Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 Meso-Collaboration: AI can empower communities and organizations to collaborate more effectively across geographical and linguistic barriers, fostering diverse and innovative problem-solving. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 The linguistic features of Gen Alpha slang are heavily shaped by digital culture. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025 One of the biggest challenges was around the linguistic differences. Reece Rogers, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Linguistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linguistic. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

linguistic

adjective
lin·​guis·​tic liŋ-ˈgwis-tik How to pronounce linguistic (audio)
: of or relating to language or linguistics
linguistically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on linguistic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!