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

In fiction, each characters’ distinct voice, its unmistakable music, comes in equal parts from cadence and linguistic fingerprint—here poetic attention to rhythm and precise word choice carry over. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

Within Egypt, then, to speak of political prisoners is to enter a linguistic vacuum, mark oneself as suspect. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

For international experts, this variability is amplified by geographic and linguistic factors. — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Prediction markets enable a more complete merging of the financial with the social and linguistic than social media has been able to achieve. — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 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