lexical

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 24, 2021 is: lexical \LEK-sih-kul\ adjective 1 : of or relating to words or the vocabulary of a language as distinguished from its grammar and construction 2 : of or relating to a [lexicon](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexicon) or to [lexicography](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexicography) Examples: As stated in the catalog, the university's second-year language courses are designed to emphasize lexical skills. "Technology companies exhibit a curious lexical property. Google and Zoom are verbs." — The Economist, 27 Feb. 2021 Did you know? The word [lexicon](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexicon) can be used as a synonym of [dictionary](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictionary), and the word [lexicography](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexicography) refers to the practice of making dictionaries. Both of these words, as well as lexical, derive from the Greek word lexis, meaning "word" or "speech." Another descendant of lexis is [lexiphanic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexiphanic), an archaic adjective describing one who uses pretentious words for effect. Lexis should not be confused with the Latin [lex](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lex), meaning "law," which is used in legal phrases such as [lex non scripta](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lex%20non%20scripta), "unwritten law."

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