bookplate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Technical (Bibliographic)
Quick answer
What does “bookplate” mean?
A decorative label pasted inside the front cover of a book, bearing the owner's name, motto, or coat of arms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A decorative label pasted inside the front cover of a book, bearing the owner's name, motto, or coat of arms.
An ownership marker in a book; a physical identifier of provenance in bibliographic and collecting contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between UK and US English. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Both varieties associate it with book collecting, libraries (especially personal or special collections), and a sense of heritage or personal attachment to books.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used primarily in bibliophilic, library science, and antiquarian contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bookplate” in a Sentence
N + VERB: The bookplate identifies the owner.PREP + N: A name is inscribed on the bookplate.ADJ + N: an ornate Victorian bookplateVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bookplate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The librarian will bookplate all new acquisitions for the special collection.
American English
- She decided to bookplate her entire library as a theft deterrent.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used by rare book dealers in provenance descriptions.
Academic
Common in library science, bibliography, and art history when discussing provenance and material aspects of books.
Everyday
Very rare. Known primarily to book collectors, librarians, and enthusiasts.
Technical
Standard term in cataloguing and describing rare books and special collections.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bookplate”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bookplate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bookplate”
- Using it as a synonym for a simple sticky note or bookmark.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈbuːkpleɪt/ (with a long 'oo').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term used mainly by book collectors, librarians, and in the trade of rare books.
They are essentially synonyms. 'Ex libris' is the Latin phrase (meaning 'from the books of...') often printed on the label itself, and is sometimes used as a more formal or technical term for a bookplate.
Yes, though rarely. To 'bookplate' a book means to affix a bookplate to it. This usage is mostly found in library and collecting contexts.
They are uncommon in mass-market paperbacks but are still used by individuals who want to personalize their libraries, by societies giving awards, and by special collection libraries to mark their holdings.
A decorative label pasted inside the front cover of a book, bearing the owner's name, motto, or coat of arms.
Bookplate is usually formal, academic, technical (bibliographic) in register.
Bookplate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkpleɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkˌpleɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BOOK + PLATE. A 'plate' is a flat, inscribed sheet. A 'bookplate' is a flat, inscribed sheet for your book.
Conceptual Metaphor
OWNERSHIP IS A MARK; A BOOK IS A TERRITORY (marked by a plate).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a bookplate?