systematic

adjective

sys·​tem·​at·​ic ˌsi-stə-ˈma-tik 

1

: relating to or consisting of a system

2

: presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles

systematic thought

3

a

: methodical in procedure or plan

a systematic approach

a systematic scholar

b

: marked by thoroughness and regularity

systematic efforts

4

: of, relating to, or concerned with classification

specifically : taxonomic

systematically

ˌsi-stə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

systematicness

ˌsi-stə-ˈma-tik-nəs 

noun

Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide

Systematic and systemic both come from system. Systematic is the more common word; it most often describes something that is done according to a system or method.

a systematic approach to learning that involves carefully following the program's steps

Systemic describes what relates to or affects an entire system, be that system physical, organizational, or societal. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body or organism, and systemic changes to an organization have an impact on the entire organization, including its most basic operations. Systemic is also used specifically to identify something as fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice.

systemic racism

Synonyms of systematic

• organized
• systematized
• methodical
• regular
• structured

Examples of systematic in a Sentence

We used a systematic approach to solve the problem.

She made a systematic study of the evidence.

the systematic production of cars

Recent Examples on the Web

The experience of Operation ‘Vivaldi’ has demonstrated that the systematic replacement of human personnel with robots is changing the paradigm of modern warfare. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

Despite these limitations, the study indeed offers a more systematic route for exploring complex alloys and designing new quantum materials. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

There's the systematic failures that happened in Cornell are happening in other campuses as well. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Silver found that prisoners remained exposed to grave threats of harm and suffering because of systematic deficiencies in their healthcare. — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin systematicus, from Greek systēmatikos, from systēmat-, systēma

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing systematic

• non-systematic
• systematic error
• systematic theology

Rhymes for systematic

• achromatic
• acrobatic
• adriatic
• aliphatic
• antistatic
• aromatic
• astigmatic
• autocratic
• automatic
• bureaucratic
• charismatic
• cholestatic

Kids Definition

systematic

adjective

sys·​tem·​at·​ic ˌsis-tə-ˈmat-ik 

1

: relating to or forming a system

systematic thought

2

: presented or worked out as a system

3

: carried out or acting with thoroughness or regularity

systematic efforts

systematically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

systematic

adjective

sys·​tem·​at·​ic ˌsis-tə-ˈmat-ik 

: of, relating to, or concerned with classification

specifically : taxonomic

systematically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb