What is a lexical item?

What is a lexical item?

• A. A single word or phrase with a specific meaning
• B. A type of idiom
• C. A phonetic sound
• D. A morphological structure

Answer: (A)

A lexical item refers to a single word or a combination of words that function as a single unit of meaning within a language. This definition encompasses not only individual words, like "dog" or "happy," but also phrases such as "kick the bucket" or "by and large,” which have semantic meanings that are recognized by speakers of the language. Each lexical item has its own distinct meaning and can be identified as a component of the lexicon, the mental dictionary of words and their meanings in a language. The other options do not fully capture the essence of what a lexical item is. A type of idiom, while it can be considered a lexical item, does not represent the broader definition that includes all single words and phrases. A phonetic sound pertains to the pronunciation aspects of language rather than meaning. Meanwhile, a morphological structure refers to the internal form or composition of words, focusing on how they are built from smaller meaningful units (morphemes) rather than the complete units themselves that convey meaning.

A lexical item refers to a single word or a combination of words that function as a single unit of meaning within a language. This definition encompasses not only individual words, like "dog" or "happy," but also phrases such as "kick the bucket" or "by and large,” which have semantic meanings that are recognized by speakers of the language. Each lexical item has its own distinct meaning and can be identified as a component of the lexicon, the mental dictionary of words and their meanings in a language.

The other options do not fully capture the essence of what a lexical item is. A type of idiom, while it can be considered a lexical item, does not represent the broader definition that includes all single words and phrases. A phonetic sound pertains to the pronunciation aspects of language rather than meaning. Meanwhile, a morphological structure refers to the internal form or composition of words, focusing on how they are built from smaller meaningful units (morphemes) rather than the complete units themselves that convey meaning.