systematic
gb/sˌɪstəmˈætɪk/ us/sˌɪstəmˈætɪk/
B2
English
~ 8500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
done according to an organized plan
Done in a careful, organized way, following clear steps or a plan.
Usage pattern:
systematic [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "systematic" with "systemic." "Systematic" means planned and orderly, while "systemic" means affecting or existing throughout a whole system (for example, "systemic problems in education"). Learners may also say *"systematical"*, which is very rare; the natural form is "systematic."
Synonyms
methodical (Stresses careful, step‑by‑step work; very close in meaning and often interchangeable with "systematic.")
Antonyms
haphazard (Describes actions done with no plan or order, the opposite of a systematic way of working.)
Collocations
systematic approach
|systematic method
|systematic search
|systematic study
|systematic training
|systematic process
Themes
work
|science
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The team took a systematic approach to solving the problem.
- We need a more systematic method for tracking our expenses.
- Her notes are so systematic that anyone can follow her reasoning.
- The company introduced systematic training for all new employees.
- A systematic search of the building was carried out by the police.
Learner examples
- We use a systematic plan to do this project.
- He is very systematic when he studies for exams.
- The teacher showed us a systematic way to solve the math problems.
- I made a systematic list of all my tasks.
- They did a systematic check of all the machines.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
thorough, organized across a whole area
Done in a careful, planned way that covers a whole area or group, often for a long time.
Usage pattern:
systematic [campaign/review/discrimination/abuse]
Common mistake:
Learners may use "systematic" when they simply mean "big" or "serious." "Systematic" suggests an organized, repeated pattern, often with planning or intention, not just a high level or strong degree of something.
Synonyms
organized (General word for having structure or planning; "systematic" adds a stronger idea of being thorough and covering everything.)
Antonyms
sporadic (Describes actions that happen only sometimes and not in a planned way, the opposite of a sustained, systematic pattern.)
Collocations
systematic review
|systematic campaign
|systematic discrimination
|systematic abuse
|systematic oppression
|systematic destruction
Themes
politics
|society
|science
|law
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- The report describes the systematic discrimination faced by minority workers.
- There has been a systematic campaign to discredit independent journalists.
- Researchers carried out a systematic review of all the existing studies.
- The government called for the systematic collection of data on hate crimes.
- The town suffered from the systematic destruction of its cultural sites.
Learner examples
- The workers complained about systematic unfair treatment at the company.
- The police started a systematic search of every house in the area.
- Scientists did a systematic review of the medical research.
- The group began a systematic campaign to change the law.
- The museum reported the systematic theft of small objects.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
showing a consistent, non-random bias
(Technical) Describes an error or difference that is not by chance, but happens in the same way again and again because of how something is done or measured.
Usage pattern:
systematic [error/bias/deviation]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "systematic error" just means a "big" or "serious" error. In technical use, it means an error that follows a fixed pattern and does not cancel out over many measurements.
Synonyms
consistent (Means always behaving or happening in the same way; "systematic" here stresses that the pattern comes from the system or method itself.)
Antonyms
random (Describes events or errors with no fixed pattern; the standard contrast to "systematic" in statistics and experimental science.)
Collocations
systematic error
|systematic bias
|systematic deviation
|systematic difference
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- The experiment was affected by a systematic error in the measuring equipment.
- Researchers must check for systematic bias in their sampling methods.
- The study found a small but systematic deviation between predicted and observed values.
- If you do not calibrate the scale, you may introduce a systematic error into all your results.
- Systematic differences between the two instruments made their data hard to compare.
Learner examples
- Scientists looked for systematic error in their test.
- There was systematic bias because the survey only used online users.
- A broken sensor caused systematic error in the data.
- We must remove any systematic error from the results.
- The teacher explained the difference between random error and systematic error.
adjective
technical
C2
property
4
relating to classification systems
(Technical) About putting plants, animals, or other things into groups in a careful, ordered way, usually for science.
Usage pattern:
systematic [biology/botany/zoology/theology]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a technical use and try to read it with the everyday meaning "organized". In phrases like "systematic botany," it refers specifically to classification work, not just general orderliness.
Synonyms
taxonomic (Used mainly in biology for classification; "systematic" can be slightly broader, including any ordered classification system.)
Antonyms
descriptive (In some scientific writing, contrasts with work that only describes individual cases rather than arranging them in a system.)
Collocations
systematic biology
|systematic botany
|systematic zoology
Themes
science
|education
Examples
- She specializes in systematic botany, focusing on the classification of tropical plants.
- The course introduces students to systematic zoology and evolutionary relationships.
- Systematic biology provides the framework for naming and grouping species.
- His research made major contributions to the systematic study of fungi.
- The museum employs a scientist with expertise in systematic entomology.
Learner examples
- He is studying systematic biology at university.
- The book is about systematic botany.
- Systematic zoology helps scientists group animals.
- They did a systematic study of plant types for classification.
- She is interested in systematic work on insects.
Grammar
Dictionary form
systematic
IPA
GB/sˌɪstəmˈætɪk/
US/sˌɪstəmˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
sys - tem - at - ic (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (at)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: systematic
Word family
Core family
system
noun A2
systematically
adverb B2
Related words
systemic
adjective C1
systematize
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unsystematic
adjective
unsystematically
adverb
Advanced or less common
systematization
noun
Expressions
a systematic approach
1/ə sˌɪstəmˈætɪk əpɹˈoʊt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
an organized, methodical way
A careful, ordered way of doing something, with clear steps or rules that you follow each time.
Examples
- We need a systematic approach if we want to reduce our costs.
- The doctor used a systematic approach to find the cause of the patient’s symptoms.
systematic error
1/sˌɪstəmˈætɪk ˈɛɹɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
consistent bias in measurements
A mistake in measurement that happens in the same way every time because of the tool or method, not by chance.
Examples
- Failing to zero the scale introduced a systematic error into all the weight measurements.
- The experiment’s results were questioned because of possible systematic error in the equipment.
systematic review
1/sˌɪstəmˈætɪk ɹɪvjˈu/
fixed phrase
technical
structured study of all evidence
A type of research study that looks for all the studies on a question, checks their quality, and combines the results using clear, fixed rules.
Examples
- The guidelines are based on a systematic review of the medical literature.
- They conducted a systematic review to understand the effects of the new treatment.