---
title: "Semantic search"
type: "glossary-term"
category: "AI & LLMs"
canonical_url: "https://www.graphcanon.com/glossary/ai-and-llms/semantic-search"
updated: "2026-07-09"
---

# Semantic search

**Semantic search matches on meaning instead of exact keywords, usually by combining embeddings with traditional text ranking.**

**Semantic search** returns results based on what a query *means*, not just the words it contains. It typically embeds both the query and the documents, then ranks by vector similarity - often blended with classic keyword (full-text) scoring for the best of both.

The blend matters: keywords are precise for exact terms and names, while embeddings catch paraphrases and related concepts.

## In GraphCanon

GraphCanon's search combines full-text ranking with embedding similarity, so a query like "framework for chaining prompts" can surface the right tools even without an exact name match.

## See also

- [Search the graph](/search)

## Related terms

- [Vector search](/glossary/ai-and-llms/vector-search.md)
- [Embedding](/glossary/ai-and-llms/embedding.md)

[AI & LLMs](/glossary/ai-and-llms.md) · [All glossary terms](/glossary.md)

---

**Machine-readable endpoints**

- JSON: [`/api/graphcanon`](/api/graphcanon)
- LLM index: [/llms.txt](/llms.txt)
- Full corpus: [/llms-full.txt](/llms-full.txt)

_GraphCanon - The knowledge graph for AI development. https://www.graphcanon.com/_