Systemic vs. Systematic: Difference Between the Two Terms

The word “systemic” means “of, or relating to, a system.” You can use the adjective to describe various situations, like a system that runs through an entire organism, such as its nervous or circulatory system, or systemic diseases that spread throughout the whole body. The term can also refer to an entire body of government or business. For example, a systemic problem is a disagreement between political parties or departments that affects an entity’s ability to function properly.

Both “systemic” and “systematic” derive from the Greek word “systēma,” or “organized whole,” which is also the root of the word “system.” While the first recorded use of the term “system” was in the early 1600s, “systemic” did not become part of the English language until the late eighteenth or early nineteenth centuries.

Here are some ways to use “systemic” in your communications:

• Use “systemic” when referring to an entire system. Use “systemic” when discussing something that affects a system as a whole. For example, high blood pressure is a systemic issue that affects the whole body. Or the climate crisis requires systemic change because it’s not an issue that one person or group can tackle alone.
  
• Use “systemic” to denote importance. Use “systemic” when talking about a fundamental element of a business, social, or political practice. For example, policymakers and non-profit organizations are developing systemic sustainability models to combat climate change.
• Use “systemic” for some scientific applications. “Systemic” also has biological applications and can refer to the body parts that receive blood from the aorta instead of the pulmonary artery. In horticulture, systemic pesticides, or neonics, are chemicals that, when applied, won’t harm the plant but are fatal to insects and other pests.

The word “systematic” means “having, showing, or involving a system or plan.” The adjective has many different usages and can refer to completing an activity according to an established plan or strategy (a systematic action). The system is usually intentional: For example, a systematic approach to building a treehouse means to follow step-by-step instructions. The term’s usage can also refer to habitual actions: Forgetting your car keys every time you leave the house is a systematic mistake.

“Systematic” is more common than “systemic” and is the oldest of the two terms: Its first use dates back to the late 1600s.

There are several ways to use the word “systematic” properly, including:

• Use “systematic” to denote a plan. “Systematic” is a synonym for other words that refer to doing something according to a plan, like “methodical.” You can use the term to discuss activities like alphabetizing a record collection, assembling a desk, or following a detailed map.
• Use “systematic” when classifying organisms. “Systematic” also applies to biology and science. For example, “systematics” involves classifying organisms to study their link in the evolutionary chain.
• Use “systematic” to denote thoroughness. Use “systematic” when discussing being patient, careful, and attentive when completing a task. For example, tightening every screw and leveling every surface on a woodworking project requires a systematic effort to complete the task.

Here are a few ways to fix the most common misuses of the words “systemic” and “systematic”:

• Consistency usage: People often use “systemic” and “systematic” as synonyms to refer to something that happens regularly or consistently. The correct word to use is “systematic” since it indicates that the action is occurring according to a plan.
• Error usage: If a problem occurs every time you use a device, like a cellphone or a laptop, it is a systematic error. If every part of the device breaks down, the error is systemic.
• Medical usage: In healthcare situations, doctors and other medical professionals employ a systematic approach to treatment, meaning they use a fixed methodology or plan. Conversely, some may view the cost of healthcare as a systemic issue.
• Social issue usage: When referencing system-wide policies in business, government, or legal circles that discriminate against people of color, it is a matter of systemic racism. Systematic racism suggests that there is a strategy to carry out these policies.

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