Definition of syntax 1. a : the way in which linguistic elements (such as words) are put together to form constituents (such as phrases or clauses) b : the part of grammar dealing with this 2. : a connected or orderly system : harmonious arrangement of parts or elements the syntax of classical architecture 3. : syntactics especially as dealing with the formal properties of languages or calculi Did You Know? Syntax is basically about what word comes before and after another word; in other words, it's part of the larger subject of grammar. Syntax is often an issue in poetry, and it's usually discussed in connection with diction —that is, the poet's choice of words. So, for example, your English professor might point out the syntactic difference between "Whose woods ...