What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lexical
Example
The lexical richness of the English language is vast. [lexical: adjective]
Example
She has a strong lexical knowledge of medical terminology. [lexical: adjective]
linguistic
Example
Linguistic studies have shown that language acquisition varies across cultures. [linguistic: adjective]
Example
He has a deep understanding of linguistic theories and concepts. [linguistic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Linguistic is more commonly used than lexical in academic and research contexts. However, lexical is more commonly used in the context of language learning and teaching.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lexical and linguistic?
Linguistic is generally considered more formal than lexical, which has a more technical and specialized connotation.