synthetic
adj. · n.-
1 man-made or artificial (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sciencemade by humans using chemical processes rather than occurring naturally.
produced by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product.
ExampleMany modern clothes are made from synthetic materials like nylon or polyester.
ExampleThe laboratory succeeded in creating a synthetic version of the rare plant extract, ensuring a steady supply for medical research without depleting natural resources.
- artificial
- man made
- manufactured
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2 not genuine (adj.) C1 Advanced Formalnot real or honest; fake.
artificial or insincere in manner, tone, or quality.
ExampleThe politician greeted the crowd with a synthetic smile that didn't reach his eyes.
ExampleCritics dismissed the pop star's latest album as a synthetic corporate product lacking any genuine emotional depth.
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3 grammar and word endings (adj.) C2 Proficiency Academic Technical Linguisticsdescribing a language that uses many word endings to show the meaning of a sentence.
characterised by a grammar that depends on the use of bound morphemes or inflections to indicate syntactic relationships.
ExampleLatin is a synthetic language because the endings of the words tell you their role in the sentence.
ExampleLinguistic evolution often shows a shift from highly synthetic structures toward more analytic ones, where word order and auxiliary verbs replace complex case endings.
- inflected
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4 a man-made material (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea substance or fabric that is made by humans, not from nature.
a chemical compound or textile produced by synthesis.
ExampleThe athlete prefers wearing synthetics because they dry much faster than cotton.
ExampleThe rise of cheap synthetics in the mid-twentieth century revolutionised the fashion industry, making durable clothing accessible to the general public.
- natural fibre
From French synthétique, from Ancient Greek συνθετικός (sunthetikós); Equivalent to synthesis + -ic (suffix formation of -tic).