Search
Select the dictionary language
Lexeme
01
(linguistics) a basic linguistic unit that is meaningful and underlies a set of words which are related through inflection
What is a "lexeme"?
A lexeme is the fundamental unit of meaning in a language, representing a single word or a group of related words that share a common meaning. It is the abstract form of a word that encompasses all its grammatical variations, such as tense or number. For example, the lexeme "run" includes all its forms like "runs", "running", and "ran". Lexemes serve as the building blocks of vocabulary, allowing for the expression of various meanings and concepts within a language while focusing on the underlying meaning rather than specific grammatical forms.
Examples
A lexeme is the smallest unit of meaning in a language, encompassing both a word and all its inflected forms.
For example, the lexeme " run " includes the base form " run, " as well as its inflections like " ran, " " running, " and " runs. "
