deixis
noun/ˈdaɪksɪs/
Frequency rank: #19,979 most common English word
Meaning
The use of words or expressions whose meaning depends on context, such as the identity of the speaker, location, or time.
Example sentence
The professor explained that words like 'here' and 'now' are classic examples of deixis, since their meaning shifts depending on who is speaking.
Synonyms & related words
- indexicality
- reference
- pointing
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