Word of the Day

: February 28, 2016

lexical

adjective LEK-sih-kul

What It Means

1 : of or relating to words or the vocabulary of a language as distinguished from its grammar and construction

2 : of or relating to a lexicon or to lexicography

lexical in Context

For her paper on youth slang, Elyse studied the lexical habits of her generation versus those of her parents and grandparents.

"It should come as no great surprise that writers are behind many of our lexical innovations. But the fact is, we have no idea who to credit for most of our lexicon." — Andy Bodle, The Guardian, 4 Feb. 2016

Did You Know?

The word lexicon can be used as a synonym of dictionary, and the word lexicography refers to the practice of dictionary making. Both of these words, as well as lexical, derive from the Greek word lexis, meaning "word" or "speech." A fourth descendant of lexis is lexiphanic, an archaic adjective describing one who uses pretentious words for effect. Lexis should not be confused with the Latin lex, or "law," which is used in legal phrases such as lex non scripta, meaning "unwritten law."