lexical semantics
- noun
- /ˈlɛksɪkəl sɪˈmæntɪks/
- Specialized
:
semántica léxica
- The field of lexical semantics examines how words convey different shades of meaning.
Examples
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A course in lexical semantics can help you better understand nuance in language.
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Modern linguistics has made significant advances in lexical semantics over the past century.
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The field of lexical semantics is fascinating!
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Lexical semantics is important.
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A course in lexical semantics can help you better understand nuance in language.
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Modern linguistics has made significant advances in lexical semantics over the past century.
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The field of lexical semantics examines how words convey different shades of meaning.
Synonyms
The study of word meanings and how people understand them
How Cognitive
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the study of word meanings' is directly and compositionally derived from 'lexical' (relating to vocabulary) + 'semantics' (the study of meaning). This adjective+noun combination follows a regular compositional pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the term.
Etymology
The term lexical semantics joins lexical ('word') and semantics ('meaning'); imagine a map where each word is a dot and lines show how their meanings connect. So, lexical semantics is the study of word meanings and how those meanings relate to each other.
