Word
linguistics
Phoneticslin·guis·tics, stress on the second syllable
US/ɫɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/
UK/lɪŋɡwˈɪstɪks/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the scientific study of how languages work. It looks at how people make sounds, how they build sentences, and how the meaning of words changes over time.
n. the scientific study of language and its structure, including the analysis of morphology, syntax, phonetics, and semantics. Despite the '-s' ending, it takes a singular verb.
Examples
“She decided to study linguistics to understand how children learn to speak.”
“A degree in linguistics provides a deep understanding of the cognitive processes involved in human communication.”
“While many people assume linguistics is simply the study of multiple languages, it is actually a rigorous discipline focused on the underlying rules that govern all human speech.”
Examples
simple
“She decided to study linguistics to understand how children learn to speak.”
contextual
“A degree in linguistics provides a deep understanding of the cognitive processes involved in human communication.”
complex
“While many people assume linguistics is simply the study of multiple languages, it is actually a rigorous discipline focused on the underlying rules that govern all human speech.”
Usage
Takes a singular verb (e.g., 'Linguistics is...') despite the '-s' ending.
Pitfall
Linguistics are my favorite subject.
Linguistics is my favorite subject.
Names of academic subjects ending in -ics are treated as singular nouns.
Real-World Examples
“Although Hollywood is full of movies about robots coming to life, Emily Bender, professor of linguistics and computing at the University of Washington, thinks AI isn’t that smart.” “This method may therefore be readily accessible to researchers in fields such as psychology and linguistics who do not specialize in machine learning.” Etymology
Etymology tree Latin lingua English -ist English linguist English -ics English linguistics From linguist + -ics, akin to linguistic and Latin linguisticus, coined by English philosopher and historian of science William Whewell in 1847 from German Linguistik.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/linguistics