syntactic

[ sin-tak-tik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to syntax:

   syntactic errors in English;

   the syntactic rules for computer source code.

2. consisting of or noting morphemes that are combined in the same order as they would be if they were separate words in a corresponding construction:

   The word blackberry, which consists of an adjective followed by a noun, is a syntactic compound.

Other Words From

• syn·tacti·cal·ly adverb
• nonsyn·tactic adjective
• nonsyn·tacti·cal adjective
• nonsyn·tacti·cal·ly adverb
• unsyn·tactic adjective
• unsyn·tacti·cal adjective
• unsyn·tacti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of syntactic¹

1570–80; < New Latin syntacticus < Greek syntaktikós, equivalent to syntakt ( ós ) ordered, arranged together, verbid of syntássein to arrange together ( syn- syn- + tag-, base of tássein to arrange + -tos adj. suffix) + -ikos -ic; tactic

Example Sentences

As oxymorons go, it’s the operatic equivalent to Noam Chomsky’s famous syntactic puzzle “Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.”

From New York Times

He tested ChatGPT and, although the result “was perfectly written, from a syntactic, orthographic point of view,” it lacked poetry.

From Seattle Times

"For over 17 years, I have been engaged in the study of these fascinating birds. They not only use specific calls to convey particular meanings, but also combine different calls into phrases using syntactic rules. These diverse vocalizations led me to initiate this research into their potential use of physical gestures."

From Science Daily

The lyrics, written by the still-anonymous Ghostwriter, are sophomoric, and the delivery inorganic, with paint-by-numbers metaphors and misogyny that veers away from the syntactic detail that gives both artists’ songs their uniquely incisive texture.

From Washington Post

We talked about all sorts of things, and he loved it when I enthused about a simile or some syntactic tour de force.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• linguistic
• semantic