semantics

/sɪˈmæntɪks/

/sɪˈmæntɪks/

Semantics is the study of meaning in language. It can be applied to entire texts or to single words. For example, "destination" and "last stop" technically mean the same thing, but students of semantics analyze their subtle shades of meaning.

To correctly pronounce semantics — which is a singular noun even though it ends in s — accent the second syllable: "suh-MAN-ticks." In the late 1800s, Michel Bréal coined the term sémantique to describe the psychology of language. That French word has its origins in Greek: semantikos means "significant," and comes from semainein "to show, signify, indicate by a sign." Semantics investigates the meaning of language.

Definitions of semantics

1. noun

   the study of language meaning
   types:

   deixis

   the function of pointing or specifying from the perspective of a participant in an act of speech or writing; aspects of a communication whose interpretation depends on knowledge of the context in which the communication occurs

   formal semantics

   the branch of semantics that studies the logical aspects of meaning

   lexical semantics

   the branch of semantics that studies the meanings and relations of words

   cognitive semantics, conceptual semantics, semasiology

   the branch of semantics that studies the cognitive aspects of meaning

   type of:

   linguistics

   the scientific study of language
2. noun

   the meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text
   “a petty argument about semantics”

   type of:

   meaning, substance

   the idea that is intended