lexicology

[ lek-si-kol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the study of the formation, meaning, and use of words and of idiomatic combinations of words.

lexicology

/ ˌlɛksɪˈkɒlədʒɪ; ˌlɛksɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of the overall structure and history of the vocabulary of a language

Derived Forms

• ˌlexicoˈlogically, adverb
• lexicological, adjective
• ˌlexiˈcologist, noun

Other Words From

• lex·i·co·log·i·cal [lek-si-k, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l], lexi·co·logic adjective
• lexi·colo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lexicology¹

First recorded in 1820–30; lexic(on) + -o- + -logy