lexical item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lexical item" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in linguistics to refer to a single word or a phrase that has a specific meaning within a language. Example: "In the study of vocabulary acquisition, each lexical item plays a crucial role in understanding language development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For fully lexically specified constructions (e.g., the lexical item vanish), item-in-construction frequency is equivalent to simple lexical frequency.

Cognitive Science

We'll take a break from these serious-­minded colloquies, however, for a lighthearted diversion: the selection of the Word of the Year, the lexical item that best captures the zeitgeist.

The New York Times - Magazine

In response, a student proposes an associated lexical item moving.

Functional Linguistics

I illustrate this with an analysis of the lexical item book.

Lingua

Navsarjan, a Gujarati lexical item presented in the Latin script, means revival or new beginnings.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Cycle 4 commences the writing task, by specifying the first lexical item in the sentence.

Functional Linguistics

An incomplete semantic description of the lexical item 'book', extracted from [11] is shown below.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

The term 'lexeme' is used here in contrast to 'lexical item' in order to distinguish between an abstract entry in the mental lexicon (lexeme) and an instance of a lexeme in use (lexical item).

Functional Linguistics

The process and the range are integrated (and are realized by one lexical item), they collectively express the same event.

Functional Linguistics

The label of the lexical item (e.g. noun or verb) is not so important (cf. Fawcett, 2000).

Functional Linguistics

Since the focus of this paper is the lexical item hai, I will leave this issue for further research.

Lingua Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing language, use "lexical item" to refer to a single word or multi-word unit that functions as a single meaning element. This term is especially useful in linguistic and computational contexts.

Common error

Avoid overusing "lexical item" in general writing where simpler terms like "word" or "phrase" suffice. "Lexical item" is most appropriate in technical discussions of language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lexical item" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a single word or a group of words that functions as a single meaning-bearing unit. Ludwig AI supports this categorization by presenting examples from various academic and scientific sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

85%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lexical item" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a single word or multi-word unit functioning as a single element of meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across scientific and academic contexts. When writing, reserve "lexical item" for technical or analytical contexts where precision is required, as opposed to simpler terms like "word" or "phrase". Its prevalent use in academic literature ensures its appropriateness in formal discussions of language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lexical unit

A slightly more technical synonym, stressing its function as a single unit.

word form

Focuses on the specific shape and appearance of the word.

lexeme

A technical term referring to the abstract unit underlying a word.

vocabulary entry

Emphasizes its presence in a collection of known words.

word entry

Synonymous with "vocabulary entry", focusing on inclusion in a lexicon.

vocabulary word

Highlights its status as part of someone's vocabulary.

term

Highlights its use within a particular field of knowledge.

dictionary entry

Focuses on the word as it appears in a dictionary.

phrase

Expands the concept to include multi-word units with a specific meaning.

expression

Broadens the term to encompass both single words and groups of words.

FAQs

How can I use "lexical item" in a sentence?

You can use "lexical item" to refer to a word or a phrase that functions as a single unit of meaning. For example, "The "lexical item" 'take care of' is a phrasal verb."

What are some alternatives to "lexical item"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "word form", "lexical unit", or simply "word".

What is the difference between "lexeme" and "lexical item"?

A lexeme is an abstract unit of lexical meaning, while a "lexical item" is a concrete instance of that lexeme in use. Think of 'run' as a lexeme, and 'running' as a "lexical item".

In what context is it appropriate to use "lexical item"?

It's most appropriate to use "lexical item" in linguistic analysis, computational linguistics, and vocabulary studies. Using it adds precision when discussing the meaning and function of specific words or phrases.