I. sə̇ˈmantik, sēˈ-, -maan-, -tēk adjective
also se·man·ti·cal -tə̇kəl, -tēk-
Etymology: semantic from Greek sēmantikos significant; semantical from Greek sēmantik os + English -al
1. : of or relating to meaning in language
English soon has undergone semantic change from the Old English meaning of sōna “immediately”
— compare formal 1b(2)
2. : of or relating to differing connotations of words of similar denotative meaning
3. : of or relating to semantics
a semantic approach to criticism
• se·man·ti·cal·ly -tə̇k(ə)lē, -tēk-, -li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: French sémantique
: a system or theory of meaning