scientific
gb/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk/ us/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk/
B1
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Related to science
About or using the ideas and rules of science.
Usage pattern:
[something] is scientific
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'scientific' with 'science' when describing something. 'Science' is a noun, while 'scientific' is an adjective.
Synonyms
technical (Often used for specialized or mechanical details, not always about science.)
|
empirical (Focuses on observation and experience rather than theory.)
Antonyms
unscientific (Not based on or following scientific methods.)
Collocations
scientific research
|scientific method
|scientific evidence
|scientific community
|scientific study
Themes
science
|education
|research
|technology
Examples
- The new drug was tested through a series of scientific experiments.
- She wrote a scientific paper on climate change.
- The decision was made based on scientific evidence.
- Scientific knowledge has advanced rapidly in recent decades.
- He has a very scientific approach to problem-solving.
Learner examples
- The team did a scientific test.
- We read a scientific report in class.
- This is a scientific way to study plants.
- The school has a new scientific lab.
adjective
formal
B2
property
2
Precise and methodical
Done in a very careful and exact way, like in science.
Usage pattern:
[someone] takes a scientific approach to [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners may think 'scientific' here means 'about science', but it can also describe any careful, precise method.
Synonyms
systematic (Emphasizes an organized and planned method.)
|
methodical (Focuses on step-by-step carefulness.)
Antonyms
careless (Lacking attention to detail or accuracy.)
Collocations
scientific approach
|scientific analysis
|scientific planning
Themes
methods
|thinking
|science
|work
Examples
- He took a scientific approach to organizing his finances.
- Her cooking is almost scientific in its precision.
- The investigation was carried out in a highly scientific manner.
Learner examples
- She uses a scientific way to clean the house.
- He plans his work in a scientific way.
- The teacher told us to take a scientific approach to the project.
Grammar
Dictionary form
scientific
IPA
GB/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk/
US/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk/
Syllables & stress
sci - entif - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (entif)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: scientific
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unscientific
adjective
Advanced or less common
pseudoscience
noun C1
pseudoscientific
adjective
Expressions
scientific community
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk kəmjˈunɪti/
fixed phrase
People working in science
All the scientists and researchers around the world as a group.
Examples
- The scientific community supports the theory of evolution.
- Climate change is widely accepted by the scientific community.
scientific evidence
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk ˈɛvədəns/
fixed phrase
Evidence from science-based data
Information that comes from careful tests or studies in science.
Examples
- There is no scientific evidence to support that claim.
- Scientific evidence shows that smoking is harmful.
scientific method
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk mˈɛθəd/
fixed phrase
Systematic process for scientific inquiry
A careful way of finding out about things by asking questions, making guesses, and testing them with experiments.
Examples
- The scientific method is essential for reliable research results.
- Students learned how to apply the scientific method in their experiments.
scientific method
2/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk mˈɛθəd/
fixed phrase
technical
Systematic process for science
A step-by-step way to find answers in science, using tests and observations.
Examples
- The scientific method involves forming a hypothesis and testing it.
- Students learned about the scientific method in their first lab session.