Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
exophoric
Adjective
/ˌɛk.səˈfɔː.rɪk/
Definition
Relating to exophora, a linguistic term that refers to a reference made to something outside the text.
Examples
- The word ‘that’ in ‘I want that’ is exophoric because it points to something not explicitly mentioned in the text.
- Exophoric references are common in everyday conversations where context provides meaning.
- In the sentence ‘Look at those trees!’, ‘those’ is an exophoric reference as it directs attention to trees visible in the environment.
Meaning
Exophoric expressions are used to refer to entities or situations that are understood from context or the world outside the discourse.
Synonyms
- Contextual
- Anaphoric (in some contexts)
