Home UK English indexical

Meaning of indexical in English:

indexical

Pronunciation /ɪnˈdɛksɪk(ə)l/

adjective

Linguistics

  • Relating to or denoting a word or expression whose meaning is dependent on the context in which it is used (such as here, you, me, that one there, or next Tuesday).

    Also called deictic

noun

Linguistics

  • An indexical word or expression.

Origin

Early 20th century coined in this sense by the American philosopher C. S. Peirce.