lexical

[ lek-si-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the words or vocabulary of a language, especially as distinguished from its grammatical and syntactical aspects.
2. of, relating to, or of the nature of a lexicon.

lexical

/ ˈlɛksɪkəl; ˌlɛksɪˈkælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to items of vocabulary in a language
2. of or relating to a lexicon

Derived Forms

• lexicality, noun
• ˈlexically, adverb

Other Words From

• lexi·cali·ty noun
• lexi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lexical¹

First recorded in 1830–40; lexic(on) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

She found that high-scoring essays shared features related more to the ability to express complex meaning, such as lexical diversity, noun modification, and soundness and number of arguments, than to structural complexity.

From Science Daily

Both reminiscing and book sharing increased the lexical richness of parent speech compared to toy play.

From Science Daily

No other lexical inspiration has been identified though,” the dictionary noted in an explanation published Monday.

From Washington Times

We make things: gardens, quilts, music and, above all, stories, in a vernacular all our own with its lexical ties to working class Anglo-Irish and the King James Bible.

From New York Times

One senses in Emilia and her lexical games both the desire for intimacy and a desire to hold intimacy at bay; in Julio, a boyish uneasiness about love.

From New York Times

Related Words

• rhetorical
• unwritten