[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/semantic/)

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# semantic

adjective (semantic); noun «semantics» (uncountable, takes a singular verb)

«semantic» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Semantic means to do with the meanings of words and sentences. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#m1)
2. Semantics is the study of meaning in language. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#m2)
3. (informal) «Just semantics» means an argument only about which word to use, not about the real facts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#m3)

### In the lessons

In English lessons, a semantic field is a group of words about one topic (e.g. war: battle, soldier, attack). In computing, «semantic search» finds results by meaning rather than exact words. Everyday arguments: «That is just semantics» means «we are arguing about words, not facts».

### Examples

- Big, huge and giant are in the same semantic field. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#x1)
- The poem uses a semantic field of cold: ice, frost, shiver. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#x2)
- There is a semantic difference between borrow and steal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#x3)
- Semantics is the study of meaning. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#x4)
- Whether you call it a bun or a roll is just semantics. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#x5)
- The computer uses semantic search to understand the question. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#x6)
- Our teacher showed us a semantic map of words about the sea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/#x7)

### Note

Said «si-MAN-tik». «Semantics» ends in -s but is usually treated as singular: «semantics is interesting». Compare: grammar (how words are put together), semantics (what they mean), phonics (sounds).

## In Jewish tradition

In English lessons, a semantic field is a group of words about one topic (e.g. war: battle, soldier, attack). In computing, «semantic search» finds results by meaning rather than exact words. Everyday arguments: «That is just semantics» means «we are arguing about words, not facts».

### Examples

- I base it off an interpretation of the SY’s internal structure, the semantic properties of the root ספ״ר SPR, and the SY’s general grammatical inventiveness. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/semantic/#x1)

### Note

Said «si-MAN-tik». «Semantics» ends in -s but is usually treated as singular: «semantics is interesting». Compare: grammar (how words are put together), semantics (what they mean), phonics (sounds).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «semantic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/semantic/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«semantic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/semantic.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «semantic» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/semantic/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«semantic» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/semantic.html) on Mova free.