scientific

scientific — adjective

1. connected with the study of nature and based on collecting information and testi

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

connected with the study of nature and based on collecting information and testing ideas in an organized way — for example, a scientific experiment, scientific knowledge, or a scientific paper.

Example

Nkechi's scientific research on ocean life won her a national award.

scientific research + on [topic]

The school bought new tools for its scientific lab.

Common collocations
  • scientific research
  • scientific experiment
  • scientific evidence
  • scientific community
  • scientific journal
  • scientific discovery
  • scientific knowledge
  • scientific theory
Synonyms
  • science-based

    less formal, emphasises that something draws on science without sounding technical

  • empirical

    more formal; stresses knowledge gained through observation and experiment rather than theory

  • technical

    narrower; relates to applied science or technology rather than natural science in general

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

scientific + noun

be + scientific

Usage Note

Often used attributively before nouns related to research or academic fields (e.g., scientific journal, scientific community, scientific method). When referring to the subject of study itself, use the noun 'science' instead: 'She studies science' (not 'She studies scientific').

Common Mistakes

He studied scientific at university.
He studied science at university.
'scientific' is an adjective; use the noun 'science' after verbs like 'study' and 'teach'.
This idea is not scientific proven.
This idea is not scientifically proven.
use the adverb 'scientifically' (not the adjective 'scientific') to modify a verb or past participle.

2. done according to a clear set of rules or steps, in a careful and organized way

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

done according to a clear set of rules or steps, in a careful and organized way — for example, a scientific approach to solving a problem, or keeping records in a scientific manner.

Example

Rodrigo took a scientific approach to organizing his team's weekly tasks.

scientific approach to [doing something]

Yumi used a scientific method to test which bread recipe gave the best result.

Common collocations
  • scientific approach
  • scientific method
  • scientific way
  • scientific attitude
  • scientific reasoning
  • scientific thinking
Synonyms
  • systematic

    very close in meaning; emphasises following a clear plan with ordered steps

  • methodical

    stresses patience, thoroughness, and care in following each step

  • analytical

    focuses on breaking information into parts to understand relationships

  • rigorous

    carries the strongest sense of strictness and high standards

Antonyms
  • haphazard

    done without any plan or order

  • random

    done without a clear method or purpose

  • unscientific

    describes thinking that is not careful or methodical

Grammar Patterns

scientific + abstract noun

more scientific + noun

Usage Note

Common with abstract nouns such as approach, method, way, attitude, and reasoning. This sense does not require the topic to be actual science — it describes the style or quality of thinking. The opposite is 'unscientific' or 'haphazard.'

Common Mistakes

She gave me scientific advice about my personal problems.
She gave me sensible advice about my personal problems.
'scientific' implies a formal, evidence-based method; use 'sensible' or 'practical' for everyday personal advice.
My scientific boyfriend always remembers my birthday.
My organised boyfriend always remembers my birthday.
'scientific' does not mean 'well-organised in daily life'; it refers to methodical thinking about a specific task.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

Scientific, systematic, methodical, analytical, and rigorous all describe careful, organized approaches, but they differ in emphasis. Scientific is the most formal of the group — it suggests following established principles of evidence-based reasoning, often (but not always) connected to actual science. Systematic focuses on having a clear plan with ordered steps, without requiring any scientific training. Methodical is very close to systematic but stresses patience and thoroughness rather than the system itself. Analytical emphasizes breaking information into parts to understand how they relate. Rigorous carries the strongest sense of strictness and high standards. For example: 'She took a scientific approach to testing her hypothesis' (using evidence, formal methods). 'He was methodical about checking each door before locking up' (patient, step-by-step, no science involved).

systematic ↗methodicalanalytical ↗rigorous ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • scientific method
  • scientific research
  • scientific community
  • scientific evidence

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Scientific entered English in the late 1500s, coming from the Latin word 'scientificus,' which means 'producing knowledge.' The Latin term was built from two parts: 'scientia' (knowledge, from 'scire' — to know) and '-ficus' (making or doing). Over time, the word broadened from its original meaning of 'producing knowledge' to describe anything connected to the systematic study of the natural world. By the 1800s, it also gained the more general sense of being careful and methodical, even in areas outside of formal science.