Meaning & use
biometric
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to the measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioral traits for identification.
Grammar: Used before a noun: biometric data, biometric scanner.
Patterns
- biometric data
- biometric scanner
- biometric authentication
The new passport includes biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition.
Many smartphones use biometric authentication to unlock the screen.
Airports are installing biometric scanners to speed up security checks.
Common combinations
- biometric data
- Biometric data must be stored securely to protect privacy.
- biometric scanner
- The biometric scanner reads your fingerprint in seconds.
- biometric authentication
- Biometric authentication is more secure than a password.
- biometric identification
- Biometric identification uses unique physical traits to verify identity.
Synonyms and how they differ
- biometrical
- Biometrical is a rarer variant with the same meaning, but biometric is the standard term in technology.
Word family
- biometrics noun
- The field of study or technology that uses biometric data.
- biometry noun
- The statistical analysis of biological data, including biometrics.
Commonly confused: biometric or biomedical?
biometric vs biomedical
Biomedical relates to biology and medicine; biometric relates to measuring physical traits for identification.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'biometric' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Biometric refers to measuring unique physical traits for identification, as in a face scan. The other options describe biomedical research or engineering.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “biometric”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.