AI Glossary

Semantic search

What does “Semantic search” mean?

Semantic search: Search that matches results by meaning rather than exact keywords, usually by comparing embeddings of the query and the documents. It finds relevant material even when different words are used. Many systems combine it with keyword search, since exact terms like product codes still matter.

Semantic search visual guide: Search that matches results by meaning rather than exact keywords, usually by comparing embeddings of the query and the documents. It finds relevant material even when different words are used. Many systems combine it with keyword search, since exact terms like product codes still matter.
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What is an example of “Semantic search”?

Searching a help center for "package never arrived" can surface an article titled "Lost or missing deliveries."

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See also

EmbeddingsTermVector databaseTermRerankingTermRetrieval-augmented generationTerm

Same topic

StreamingTermStructured outputTermSystem promptTermRate limitTermTemperatureTerm