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semiotics

noun se·mi·ot·ics \ ˌsē-mē-ˈä-tiks , ˌse-mē- , ˌsē-ˌmī- \
variants: or semiotic play \ˌsē-mē-ˈä-tik, ˌse-mē-, ˌsē-ˌmī-\

Definition of semiotics

plural semiotics
: a general philosophical theory of signs and symbols that deals especially with their function in both artificially constructed and natural languages and comprises syntactics, semantics, and pragmatics
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semiotic

adjective
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semiotician

play \ˌsē-mē-ə-ˈti-shən, ˌse-mē-, ˌsē-ˌmī-\ noun
—

semioticist

play \ˌsē-mē-ˈä-tə-sist, ˌse-mē-, ˌsē-ˌmī-\ noun

See semiotics defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of semiotics from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'semiotics.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of semiotics

Greek sēmeiōtikos observant of signs, from sēmeiousthai to interpret signs, from sēmeion sign, from sēma sign

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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

SEMIOTICS Defined for English Language Learners

semiotics

noun

Definition of semiotics for English Language Learners

  • : the study of signs and symbols and how they are used

Learn More about semiotics

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about semiotics

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