Meaning & Definition of word "Syntax"
Syntax
/ˈsɪn.tæks/
noun:
- 1. The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.
- Example: In English, the typical syntax is subject-verb-object.
- 2. A set of rules that dictates how symbols can be combined to create valid statements in a programming language.
- Example: Understanding the syntax of Python is essential for writing effective code.
- 3. The study of such arrangements and rules.
- Example: Syntax is a vital component of linguistics that examines how sentence structures convey meaning.
Etymology
●Derived from the Greek word 'syntaxis', meaning 'arrangement'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
breaking down syntax:
Analyzing the structure of sentences to understand their components.
syntax error:
A mistake in the use of rules governing the structure of sentences or commands.
syntax highlighting:
The use of color to differentiate between elements of code in programming environments.
Related Words
morphology:
The study of the structure of words.
grammar:
The system and structure of a language including syntax.
semantics:
The study of meaning in language.
Slang Meanings of syntax
Meaning: Syntactically correct
● Example Sentence: That sentence is syntactically correct, but it doesn’t make any sense.
Meaning: Syntax police
● Example Sentence: She acts like the syntax police, always correcting everyone's grammar.