WordGarden.ioscientific
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /saɪəntˈɪfɪk/
US
- /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to science, scientists, or formal research
systematic, evidence-based, or rigorous in method
Beyond the definition
Something "scientific" is not just about labs and beakers, though it can include those things. It usually means based on careful observation, testing, and evidence. A scientific approach is a clear, organized way of finding out what is true, like a detective putting clues together. You might call a well-researched article "scientific," or talk about a scientific study of bird migration. Sometimes it simply means "related to science," as in a scientific journal.
Think about a cook who does not just mix things at random but tests a recipe and changes it after seeing the result. That is a bit like thinking scientifically. A detective using fingerprints to solve a crime is doing something similar. The main idea is looking for answers through evidence, not guesswork.
The word "scientific" describes something connected with science or with the careful search for knowledge through observation and testing. It is not only about what you know, but also about how you know it. A scientific method usually involves asking a question, making a guess, testing it, looking at the results, and then forming a conclusion.
You will often see "scientific" in phrases like "scientific study," "scientific findings," or "scientific research." In these cases, the word suggests careful work based on evidence rather than opinion alone. It can also describe the way a person thinks. Someone with a scientific mindset tries to be logical, checks facts, and is willing to change their view when new evidence appears.
The word can also be used more broadly to suggest accuracy, care, or exact measurement. For example, a scientific instrument or a scientific measurement is expected to be precise. Still, the word does not mean something is final or beyond question. Science keeps growing, and even strong ideas can change when better evidence is found.
So when you call something "scientific," you are usually saying that it is related to science or guided by evidence, careful testing, and a serious search for what is true.
Examples
- 1
Research career
She wants to work in scientific research after university.
- 2
Evidence
The report is based on scientific evidence, not personal opinion.
- 3
Medical explanation
Doctors are still looking for a scientific explanation for the sudden rise in cases.
- 4
Safety testing
The team used scientific methods to test whether the water was safe to drink.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Hiring process
We need a more scientific approach to hiring, with clear standards and less guesswork.
- 6
Plant names
Do you know the scientific name for this plant?
See also
Similar
- empirical
- evidence-based
- systematic
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- unscientific
- pseudoscientific
Used with (collocations)
- scientific method
- scientific evidence
- scientific research
- scientific consensus
Word family
Explore
- hypothesis
- peer review
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- scientificadjective