scientific

adjective

sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fik 

1

: of, relating to, or exhibiting the methods or principles of science

2

: conducted in the manner of science or according to results of investigation by science : practicing or using thorough or systematic methods

scientific advertising

scientific baby care

a scientific boxer

scientifically

ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of scientific in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What is now the University of Arkansas established experiments in scientific horticulture, thus becoming an important asset to the apple industry. —arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024

The functional fragrance space has always been a murky one, with many perfumes marketed as wellness products with psychological benefits despite a general lack of scientific evidence. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024

Studying the beliefs and ideas of a past time and place bumped the object to one side, where it now was given equal weight to economics, literature, religion, scientific developments, politics and other varieties of social life. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024

The most recent came on Monday during SpaceX’s 31st commercial resupply mission, which launched to the space station filled with nearly 6,000 pounds of supplies and scientific research. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French and Medieval Latin; Middle French sientifique, scientifique, borrowed from Medieval Latin scientificus "producing knowledge, relating to knowledge" (translating Greek epistēmonikós), from Latin scientia "knowledge, science" + -ficus -fic

Note: The Medieval Latin transition in sense from "producing knowledge" to "relating to knowledge" (in the text of a translation of Aristotle's Posterior Analytics) is described in detail in the Oxford English Dictionary, third edition.

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scientific

• scientific creationism
• scientific method
• scientific notation
• the scientific method

Kids Definition

scientific

adjective

sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌsī-ən-ˈtif-ik 

: of, relating to, or exhibiting the methods or rules of science

scientifically

-ˈtif-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

scientific

adjective

sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌsī-ən-ˈtif-ik 

: of, relating to, or exhibiting the methods or principles of science

scientifically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb