semasiology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “semasiology” mean?
The branch of linguistics concerned with meaning in language, specifically the study of word meaning, sense relations, and semantic change.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The branch of linguistics concerned with meaning in language, specifically the study of word meaning, sense relations, and semantic change.
The study of how meanings are formed, evolve, and are interpreted within a given language or across languages. It focuses on the relationship between signs (like words) and the concepts or things they refer to.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Highly academic, specialised, and somewhat dated (19th/early 20th century origin).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, found almost solely in linguistic literature.
Grammar
How to Use “semasiology” in a Sentence
Semasiology is concerned with XThe semasiology of a word refers to its YA semasiological approach examines ZVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “semasiology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To semasiologise is not a standard verb form.
American English
- One cannot properly verb this noun.
adverb
British English
- The problem was considered semasiologically.
American English
- The data was analysed semasiologically rather than onomasiologically.
adjective
British English
- The semasiological analysis revealed shifts in the word's usage.
American English
- He took a semasiological approach to the historical text.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in specialised linguistics, philology, or lexicology papers and courses.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used precisely within linguistic terminology to denote the study of meaning from the word/sign as a starting point.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “semasiology”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “semasiology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “semasiology”
- Pronouncing it /sɛməs.../ instead of /sɪˌmeɪzɪ.../ or /sɪˌmeɪsi.../.
- Using it as a synonym for general 'semantics' in non-specialist contexts.
- Spelling: 'semasiology' (correct) vs. *'semasology' or *'semasciology'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Semantics is the broad, general study of meaning in language. Semasiology is a specific branch or perspective within semantics that starts from the word or sign and investigates its meanings and their development.
No, it is a highly specialised academic term used almost exclusively within linguistics and related fields like lexicography and philology.
Onomasiology. While semasiology asks 'What meanings does this word have?', onomasiology asks 'What words or signs express this concept?'
Yes. A semasiological study of the word 'gay' would trace its historical meaning development from 'joyful' to 'homosexual', examining the contexts and processes of this semantic shift.
Semasiology is usually academic / technical in register.
Semasiology: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˌmeɪzɪˈɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɪˌmeɪsiˈɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SEmasiology Studies Signification' or relate it to 'SEMAntics' - it's a specific part of semantics.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEANING IS A PATH (semasiology traces the path a word's meaning takes over time).
Practice
Quiz
Semasiology is most closely contrasted with which other linguistic sub-field?