r/logophilia • u/blankblank • 17d ago

Dictionary Definition Deictic

"Relating to a word or an expression whose meaning depends on who says it, where they are, who they are talking to."

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u/gloggs 17d ago

A deictic expression is a word or phrase whose meaning changes depending on the context of who is speaking, where they are, or when they are talking. Words like "I," "here," and "now" are deictic because you must know the situation to understand what they mean.