lexicology

Lexicology is the branch of linguistics that studies the vocabulary of a language—the words themselves and their meanings. It examines how words are formed, their origins, how they relate to each other, and how their usage evolves over time. Think of it as analyzing the building blocks of language: understanding what words are, where they come from, and how they work together to convey meaning effectively. This field helps us better understand language structure, vocabulary development, and how words reflect culture and society.