What does paradigmatic mean?
Paradigmatic means serving as an exemplary model or standard, as in a paradigmatic design or example. It can also be used in linguistics for processes and relationships organized through association and contrast within a linguistic system. The distinction is between a paradigm, which is the model or system itself, and paradigmatic, which describes the role of something as a model or the relations characteristic of such a system. Outside specialist writing, the adjective sounds formal and is encountered less often than synonymous terms such as exemplary, typical, and representative. In linguistics, it is especially useful because it identifies one of the two fundamental dimensions of language: paradigmatic relations connect elements through shared grammatical or semantic properties, while syntagmatic relations connect elements by their positions in larger structures. The word is therefore especially valuable in discussions of grammar, semantics, and how vocabulary is systematically organized.
Serving as a model or standard; exemplary.
"His paradigmatic contribution to public broadcasting influenced an entire generation of documentaries."
Formal and relatively uncommon outside academic or technical contexts.
Relating to the paradigmatic relations that organize linguistic systems.
"The researchers examined the paradigmatic relationships among the noun's several inflected forms."
Common chiefly in linguistics and related fields; opposed to syntagmatic in the standard linguistic distinction.
Paradigmatic hides a tiny clue to its meaning: a paradigm is a model, and what is paradigmatic serves as one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of paradigmatic
Paradigmatic was formed within English from paradigm and the suffix -atic. Paradigm comes through Latin from Greek paradeigma, meaning a model or example, ultimately associated with the Greek verb deiknunai, “to show.” Several English words sharing the same Greek roots, including parameter and deictic, likewise concern models, limits, or demonstrative reference.
Related word forms
How paradigmatic is actually used
In general use, the word is formal and relatively uncommon. It is most frequent in linguistics and related theoretical writing, where it is distinguished from syntagmatic relations.
Easily confused with paradigmatic
A paradigm is a model or a systematic class of linguistic forms, whereas paradigmatic is an adjective describing what serves as a model or relating to those relations.