Laxi Dictionary

American Dictionary

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Definition phatic in American English

phatic adjective

adjective
/ˈfætɪk/
1

used for describing words or phrases that you use for social reasons, for example in order to be friendly, rather than in order to give information

Example

Phatic language doesn't really convey any information. Its function is social.

Example

This kind of communication is largely phatic, it bonds people together for social or familial purposes.

Synonyms and related words
agglutinative classical cognate
Definition phatic in American English