Daily Word Box

Word

semantics

noun C1

Meanings

noun

the study of meaning in language (words, phrases, and sentences)

Visual cue for semantics — meaning 1
noun

the meaning of words or the interpretation of what someone says, especially when discussing precise wording

Visual cue for semantics — meaning 2

Definition

Semantics is the study of meaning in language, including what words, phrases, and sentences mean.

Semantics is a field of linguistics that focuses on meaning in language. It looks at how words and sentences express ideas and how context can change meaning. People often discuss semantics when they want to clarify what a word or statement really means.

Examples

  • We discussed the semantics of the word before choosing it for the headline.
  • In linguistics, semantics helps explain how meaning works in sentences.
  • Their argument was mostly about semantics, not the main idea.
  • She studies semantics and pragmatics at university.