Synthetic
/sɪnˈθɛtɪk/
Definitions
2 meaningsProduced artificially; not of natural origin; manufactured.
/sɪnˈθɛtɪk/
Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product.
The chemist developed a new synthetic compound.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making something in a lab instead of finding it in nature. Synthetic things are made by people, like synthetic rubber in your car's tires or a synthetic strawberry flavor.
👶 For kids: Made by people, not by nature. Like fake flowers or plastic toys!
More Examples
Synthetic materials are often used in athletic wear.
Many cosmetics contain synthetic fragrances.
How It's Used
"Synthetic fibers are often used in clothing because they are durable."
"Synthetic rubber is a crucial component in tire manufacturing."
Characterized by or involving the combination of parts or elements to form a complex whole.
/sɪnˈθɛtɪk/
Relating to or involving synthesis.
Kant distinguished between analytic and synthetic judgments.
💡 Simply: Imagine putting together Lego pieces to build something new. This meaning of synthetic refers to creating something from different parts, like putting all the information of a research paper to create a new argument.
👶 For kids: Putting things together to make something new.
More Examples
The book provides a synthetic overview of the topic.
The research involves a synthetic approach to data analysis.
How It's Used
"A synthetic argument builds from individual facts to arrive at a conclusion."
"Synthetic statements provide new information."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From Greek *synthetikos* meaning 'putting together,' from *syntithenai* 'to put together,' from *syn-* 'together' + *tithenai* 'to put, place.' The term gained prominence in chemistry and materials science.
The term's use in chemistry and materials science became widespread in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the development of industrial chemical processes.
Memory tip
Think 'synthesize' – creating something new, not found naturally.
Word Origin
"putting together"