English Reference
adjective

linguistic

adj.
US /ɫɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk/ UK /lɪŋɡwˈɪstɪk/ lin·guis·tic

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    relating to language or the way people use words.

    pertaining to human language or the specific use of words and grammar in communication.

    Simple

    The children showed great linguistic skills by learning three languages at once.

    In context

    The researcher noted that the linguistic barriers between the two groups were more significant than their cultural differences.

    Usage

    usually placed before the noun

    non verbal
  2. 02 C1 Advanced AcademicTechnical

    relating to the scientific study of language.

    pertaining to the academic discipline of linguistics, including phonetics, syntax, and semantics.

    Simple

    She published a linguistic analysis of how slang changes over time.

    In context

    The professor provided a detailed linguistic framework for understanding how tonal shifts alter meaning in Mandarin dialects.

    Usage

    non-gradable

    analyticalphilological
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

    relating to the rules and structure of computer programming languages.

    pertaining to the formal syntax and structure of artificial or computer-based languages.

    Simple

    The software uses linguistic patterns to understand what users are asking.

    In context

    The development of advanced linguistic algorithms has significantly improved the accuracy of real-time machine translation services.

    Usage

    often used in the context of natural language processing (NLP)

With island nations such as Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga, the region is home to societies with a remarkably high degree of linguistic and cultural diversity.

Phys.org· 14 Aug 2026

Borrowed from German linguistisch, equivalent to linguist + -ic. Compare linguistics. Ultimately from Latin lingua (“tongue, language”). Attested in English since 1825.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin lingua
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated