Word a Day
synthetic
What does synthetic mean?
synthetic (adjective): not of natural origin; prepared or made artificially.
Definition: Princeton WordNet 3.1.
How do you pronounce synthetic?
/sɪnˈθɛtɪk/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does synthetic come from?
From French synthétique, from Ancient Greek συνθετικός (sunthetikós); Equivalent to synthesis + -ic (suffix formation of -tic).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “synthetic”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “synthetic” mean?
consisting of a large number of individuals or parts
Not quite: that's what numerous means.
not of natural origin; prepared or made artificially
Right! That's what “synthetic” means.
engaged with or preoccupied by an activity or person
Not quite: that's what busy means.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
Not quite: that's what sweet means.
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