diachronic

adjective

dia·​chron·​ic ˌdī-ə-ˈkrä-nik How to pronounce diachronic (audio)
: of, relating to, or dealing with phenomena (as of language or culture) as they occur or change over a period of time
diachronically adverb

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French diachronique, from diachronie diachrony + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diachronic was in 1917

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Cite this Entry

“Diachronic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diachronic. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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