linguistics: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic, Formal
Quick answer
What does “linguistics” mean?
The scientific study of language and its structure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The scientific study of language and its structure.
The systematic analysis of language, including its nature, structure (syntax, morphology, phonology), acquisition, variation, historical development, and its relationship to society and the human mind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both treat it as a standard academic term.
Connotations
Neutral, technical, and academic in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in academic contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “linguistics” in a Sentence
study + linguisticsspecialise in + linguisticsa degree in + linguisticsa professor of + linguisticsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “linguistics” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They linguisticked the data thoroughly. (Rare/Non-standard)
- He is linguisticking his way through the corpus. (Humorous/Non-standard)
American English
- She tried to linguistics the problem from a generative perspective. (Rare/Non-standard)
- They spent the afternoon linguistics-ing the new dialect samples. (Humorous/Non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He argued linguistically for the change.
- The phrase is linguistically complex.
American English
- The two dialects are linguistically distinct.
- She described the process linguistically.
adjective
British English
- A linguistic phenomenon.
- She has strong linguistic abilities.
American English
- He conducted a linguistic analysis.
- This presents a linguistic puzzle.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts related to language technology, AI, or translation services.
Academic
Primary domain. Ubiquitous in humanities and social science faculties.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. Typically used by students or those with related interests.
Technical
Core term in its field, used precisely to denote the scientific discipline.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “linguistics”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “linguistics”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “linguistics”
- Using it as a plural noun (e.g., 'Linguistics are fascinating'). It is singular.
- Confusing it with 'language learning' or simply 'languages'.
- Misspelling as 'linguistcs' or 'lingustics'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, philology focused on the historical development of languages and texts, often literary. Modern linguistics is broader, encompassing the scientific study of all aspects of language structure, use, and cognition, including synchronic (current state) analysis.
No. While knowledge of multiple languages can be helpful, linguistics is the study of language as a system. Much work can be done analysing one's native language or through data. It's about how language works, not necessarily about being multilingual.
Singular. Despite ending in '-ics', it refers to a single field of study. Correct usage: 'Linguistics is a fascinating subject.' (Not 'Linguistics are...').
It is a branch of linguistics concerned with practical applications of linguistic theory and research to real-world problems, such as language teaching, translation, speech pathology, language policy, and computational language processing.
The scientific study of language and its structure.
Linguistics is usually academic, formal in register.
Linguistics: in British English it is pronounced /lɪŋˈɡwɪs.tɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /lɪŋˈɡwɪs.tɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LINGUISTICS = LINGUA (Latin for 'tongue' or 'language') + -ISTICS (like 'statistics' or 'physics' – the study of). It's the 'statistics' of language.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A STRUCTURED SYSTEM (to be dissected and analysed); LINGUISTICS IS A SCIENCE/MAP (charting the territory of language).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically a core subfield of linguistics?