Word
relativistic
Phoneticsrel·a·tivis·tic
/ˌɹɛɫətɪˈvɪstɪk/
Definition
adj. describing a situation where things are judged based on the specific circumstances or the person's own point of view. In physics, it refers to ideas that change depending on how fast you are moving.
adj. relating to or based on a system of thought in which all truths are relative to the observer or the situation. In physics, it describes the theory of relativity, where measurements of space and time depend on the relative velocity of the observer.
Examples
“The theory is relativistic, meaning it changes depending on your speed.”
“The philosopher argued that moral judgments are relativistic, varying significantly between different cultures and historical periods.”
“In a relativistic framework, the concept of absolute time is replaced by a four-dimensional spacetime continuum where the passage of time depends on the observer's relative motion.”
Examples
simple
“The theory is relativistic, meaning it changes depending on your speed.”
contextual
“The philosopher argued that moral judgments are relativistic, varying significantly between different cultures and historical periods.”
complex
“In a relativistic framework, the concept of absolute time is replaced by a four-dimensional spacetime continuum where the passage of time depends on the observer's relative motion.”
Real-World Examples
“The situation becomes much more complicated once the spacecraft reaches relativistic velocities.” “At greater cosmic distances, relativistic electrons can lose energy more rapidly through interactions with the cosmic microwave background.” Etymology
From relativist + -ic or relative + -istic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/relativistic