semantics
gb/sɪmˈæntɪks/ us/sɪmˈæntɪks/
C1
English
jelentés, szemantika, jelentéstan, szóhasogatás, szavakon lovaglás
NOUN
C1
1
jelentés
A1
szemantika
C1
Usage pattern:
the semantics of [a word/phrase/statement/sign]
The contract turns on the semantics of the word “reasonable.”
A szerződés értelmezése a „reasonable” szó jelentésén múlik.
Changing “must” to “may” changes the semantics of the sentence.
Ha a „must”-ot „may”-re cseréljük, megváltozik a mondat jelentése.
In everyday conversation, context often shapes the semantics of a phrase.
Learner examples
Semantics is about meaning.
A szemantika a jelentésről szól.
The two words have different semantics.
A két szónak más a jelentése.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse semantics with syntax: syntax is structure; semantics is meaning.
Meaning
meaning in language
Collocations
the semantics of a word
|the semantics of a sentence
|semantic interpretation
|semantic content
|semantic difference
|semantic relationship
|an issue of semantics
|focus on semantics
Synonyms
meaning (more general and less technical)
|
interpretation (emphasizes how something is understood)
|
sense (often used for the meaning of a particular word or phrase)
Antonyms
syntax (the structure or arrangement of language rather than its meaning)
|
form (the outward shape or wording rather than the meaning)
Themes
language
|communication
|meaning
Definition
Semantics is what words or signs mean, not just how they are arranged.
the meaning and interpretation of words, phrases, sentences, signs, or other forms of communication.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
szemantika
C1
jelentéstan
C2
Usage pattern:
semantics; [type] semantics
She teaches semantics in the linguistics department.
Szemantikát tanít a nyelvészeti tanszéken.
Formal semantics uses logic to describe how sentences get their meanings.
A formális szemantika logikát használ annak leírására, hogyan nyerik el a mondatok a jelentésüket.
His research connects semantics with cognitive science.
Learner examples
I took a class in semantics.
Felvettem egy szemantika kurzust.
Semantics studies meaning in language.
A szemantika a nyelvi jelentést vizsgálja.
Common mistake:
“Semantics” is plural in form but often takes a singular verb when it names a field: “Semantics is...”
Meaning
study of meaning
Collocations
formal semantics
|linguistic semantics
|lexical semantics
|compositional semantics
|semantics and pragmatics
|a semantics course
|study semantics
|research in semantics
|the semantics literature
Synonyms
study of meaning (clear descriptive phrase rather than a technical term)
|
meaning theory (more philosophical or formal)
Antonyms
syntax (a contrasting field concerned with structure rather than meaning)
|
phonology (a contrasting field concerned with sound systems rather than meaning)
Themes
linguistics
|philosophy
|logic
|academia
Definition
Semantics is an academic subject that studies meaning.
the branch of linguistics, philosophy, and logic that studies how meaning is created, represented, and understood.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is/was semantics; a question/matter of semantics
Calling the payment a “fee” rather than a “tax” may look like semantics, but it has legal consequences.
Ha a befizetést „díjnak” és nem „adónak” nevezik, az tűnhet puszta szóhasogatásnak, de jogi következményei vannak.
The team spent an hour on semantics instead of deciding what to build.
A csapat egy órát töltött szóhasogatással ahelyett, hogy eldöntötte volna, mit építsen.
Whether the plan is a “pause” or a “cancellation” is more than semantics for customers.
Learner examples
This is not just semantics; the words change the meaning.
Ez nem puszta szóhasogatás; a szavak megváltoztatják a jelentést.
They argued about semantics.
Szavakon vitatkoztak.
Common mistake:
This use can be dismissive; “just semantics” suggests the distinction is unimportant.
Meaning
wording distinctions in debate
Collocations
just semantics
|mere semantics
|not just semantics
|a matter of semantics
|a question of semantics
|argue over semantics
|quibble about semantics
|semantics aside
Synonyms
wording (less technical and more focused on the exact words used)
|
terminology (focuses on the names or terms chosen)
|
technicality (suggests a small or legalistic detail)
Antonyms
substance (the real issue rather than the words used to describe it)
|
practical difference (a real-world effect rather than a verbal distinction)
Themes
communication
|debate
|law
|business
Definition
Semantics can mean a difference in words or labels, not necessarily a difference in real facts.
distinctions in wording, labels, or definitions, especially when people are deciding whether the difference matters in practice.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
szemantika
C1
Usage pattern:
the semantics of [code/command/operator/language]
The syntax is valid, but the semantics of the command are not what we expected.
A szintaxis helyes, de a parancs szemantikája nem az, amire számítottunk.
The new version changed the semantics of null values in the API.
Az új verzió megváltoztatta a null értékek szemantikáját az API-ban.
The specification defines the semantics of each instruction.
Learner examples
Syntax is how code is written; semantics is what it means.
A szintaxis azt mutatja meg, hogyan van megírva a kód; a szemantika pedig azt, mit jelent.
Common mistake:
Syntax is whether code is written in a valid form; semantics is what the valid code means or does.
Meaning
meaning of code
Collocations
programming language semantics
|operational semantics
|denotational semantics
|semantics of an operator
|query semantics
|API semantics
|database semantics
|formal semantics
|execution semantics
Synonyms
behavior (emphasizes what the code does when it runs)
|
meaning (less formal and easier to understand)
|
interpretation (emphasizes how a system understands a command or expression)
Antonyms
syntax (the grammar or notation of code rather than what it means)
|
implementation (how behavior is built internally rather than the specified meaning)
Themes
computing
|programming
|software
|logic
Definition
In computing, semantics is what a piece of code is supposed to do.
the defined meaning, behavior, or effect of a programming language construct, command, data structure, or formal system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
semantics
IPA
GB/sɪmˈæntɪks/
US/sɪmˈæntɪks/
Syllables & stress
se - mantics (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mantics)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: semantics
- Plural: semantics
Expressions
a matter of semantics
1/ə mˈætɚ əv sɪmˈæntɪks/
fixed phrase
issue of wording or definition
The issue depends on what the words mean.
Examples
- Whether the app is a tool or a platform is partly a matter of semantics.
- In a scientific report, that distinction is more than a matter of semantics.
- Some people think the debate is only a matter of semantics.
Learner examples
- The difference is a matter of semantics.
argue over semantics
1/ˈɑɹɡju ˈoʊvɚ sɪmˈæntɪks/
fixed phrase
debate exact wording
To argue about the exact words or meanings, not about the main problem.
Examples
- The lawyers argued over semantics for most of the morning.
- We shouldn't argue over semantics when the deadline is tomorrow.
- They were arguing over semantics instead of fixing the problem.
Learner examples
- They argued over semantics for an hour.
formal semantics
1/fˈɔɹməl sɪmˈæntɪks/
fixed phrase
technical
logical study of meaning
Formal semantics studies meaning using logic or mathematical rules.
Examples
- Her paper uses formal semantics to analyze tense.
- Formal semantics often represents sentence meaning with logic.
- The course introduces formal semantics before moving on to pragmatics.
Learner examples
- Formal semantics uses logic to study meaning.
just semantics
1/d͡ʒˈʌst sɪmˈæntɪks/
fixed phrase
only wording, not substance
The words are different, but the real meaning or result is the same.
Examples
- Whether you call it a discount or a rebate is just semantics to most shoppers.
- He said the difference between a guideline and a recommendation was just semantics.
- At this point, arguing about the title is just semantics.
Learner examples
- The names are different, but it is just semantics.
lexical semantics
1/lˈɛksɪkəl sɪmˈæntɪks/
fixed phrase
technical
study of word meanings
Lexical semantics studies word meanings.
Examples
- Lexical semantics looks at relations such as synonymy and antonymy.
- The course covers syntax, phonology, and lexical semantics.
- Her research in lexical semantics focuses on how verbs express motion.
Learner examples
- Lexical semantics studies word meanings.
not just semantics
1/nˈɑt d͡ʒˈʌst sɪmˈæntɪks/
fixed phrase
wording with real consequences
The word choice matters because it changes the meaning, result, or effect.
Examples
- The difference between “may” and “must” in the policy is not just semantics.
- For disabled users, calling a feature “optional” is not just semantics.
- The label on the product is not just semantics; it affects how it is regulated.
Learner examples
- This is not just semantics; it changes the rule.
semantics aside
1/sɪmˈæntɪks əsˈaɪd/
fixed phrase
ignoring wording questions
Leaving the exact words aside, this is the main point.
Examples
- Semantics aside, the proposal would still increase costs.
- Semantics aside, we need to tell customers what changed.
- Semantics aside, both versions of the plan require the same budget.
Learner examples
- Semantics aside, the price is higher.