syntax

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈsɪn.tæks/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: syn‧tax
• Homophone: sin tax

Noun

Singular syntax

Plural syntaxes

1. (uncountable) (linguistics) A part of the grammar of a language. Syntax is the rules for putting words together to make a sentence.

   English syntax is never easier than English spelling.

   The linguist studied the syntax of many languages.

   The child had a problem with syntax after his head was hurt.

   The syntax of many computer languages is based on English syntax.

2. (countable) (computing) Syntax is the formal rules of formulating statements of a computer language.

Note

The plural form syntices is a mistaken form that is usually used on blogs.

Related words

• grammar
• morphology
• morphosyntax
• linguistics