Synthetic: Meaning, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：artificial (synthetic)

synthetic 🔊

/sɪnˈθɛtɪk/

adj.

Made by people, not found naturally in nature. Often refers to materials created by combining chemicals.

Synthetic fabric jacket tag showing 100% polyester texture

artificial 🔊

➕

/ˌɑːrtɪˈfɪʃl/

adj.

Made by chemical synthesis; produced artificially rather than occurring naturally.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Greek: syn- (together) + thesis (a placing) + -ic (adj.) = put together artificially.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'syn' (together) + 'thetic' (placing) = putting together artificially.

📖 Example

Many people prefer to wear synthetic sportswear because it is lighter and dries faster than cotton. 🔊 Many people prefer to wear synthetic sportswear because it is lighter and dries faster than cotton.

🔗 Collocations

synthetic fabric – fabric made from artificial fibers

synthetic drug – drug created through chemical synthesis

synthetic oil – oil manufactured artificially, often for lubricants

🔄 Synonyms

artificial (adj.) – made by human skill or effort, not natural

man-made (adj.) – produced by humans rather than naturally occurring

manufactured (adj.) – produced in a factory, often on a large scale

🚫 Antonyms

natural (adj.) – existing in nature, not made or caused by humans

organic (adj.) – derived from living matter, free from synthetic chemicals

genuine (adj.) – authentic and not artificial or synthetic

🌱 Derivatives

synthetically (adv.) – in a synthetic manner; by means of chemical synthesis

synthesis (n.) – the combination of components to form a connected whole, especially in chemistry

synthesize (v.) – to combine or produce by synthesis

📖 Cultural Story

Coined in early 19th century from Greek 'synthetikos'. In chemistry, it refers to substances made by combining simpler compounds, contrasting with natural products.