What is the study of words and their meanings called?

The study of words and their meanings is called semantics. Semantics is a branch of linguistics that focuses specifically on understanding how meaning is constructed, interpreted, and conveyed through language. It examines the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences, as well as the relationships between them and how context affects understanding.

In contrast, lexicology is the study of the structure and form of words within a language. While it does involve meanings, it is more about the vocabulary itself rather than the nuances of meaning. Semiotics encompasses the broader study of signs and symbols, including language but also extending into other systems of meaning. Philology refers to the historical and comparative aspects of languages, including their development and relationships over time, rather than focusing strictly on the meanings of words. This makes semantics the most accurate term for the specific study of words and their meanings.