catalog
C1Formal, academic, business, and technical contexts; also common in everyday usage.
Definition
Meaning
A systematic list of items, such as books, products, or courses, with descriptive details.
1. A complete or extensive list of a particular category of items. 2. The act of making such a list. 3. A university publication listing course offerings.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; the verb form means 'to make a list of items.' The meaning often implies organization and accessibility for reference or selection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'catalogue' is the standard spelling for both noun and verb. In American English, 'catalog' is the preferred spelling, though 'catalogue' is also accepted, especially in more traditional contexts.
Connotations
The '-log' spelling is perceived as more modern and streamlined in American usage, whereas '-logue' retains a classic, sometimes more formal tone.
Frequency
'Catalog' is overwhelmingly more frequent in American English. 'Catalogue' remains dominant in British English, though 'catalog' is occasionally seen in digital/tech contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to catalog [something]to be cataloged as [category]to catalog [items] by [criteria]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a catalog of disasters/misfortunes (a series of bad events)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a publication or website listing products for sale, with prices and descriptions.
Academic
A library's database of holdings; a university's publication detailing courses, requirements, and policies.
Everyday
A brochure from a store, often received by post or found online.
Technical
In computing, a structured list of files or datasets; in astronomy, a list of celestial objects.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The librarian will catalogue the new acquisitions next week.
- These artefacts have yet to be catalogued.
American English
- The museum needs to catalog the entire collection digitally.
- All specimens were carefully cataloged by genus.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
- N/A
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- Please quote the catalogue number when ordering.
- The catalogue price is higher than the online discount.
American English
- Find the item using its catalog number.
- The catalog price is often just a manufacturer's suggestion.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I looked in the catalog to find a new toy.
- The library has a big book catalog.
- You can search the online catalog for the book's location.
- The fall fashion catalog arrived in the mail yesterday.
- The company's product catalog is available for download on their website.
- The historian spent years cataloging the letters and diaries of the period.
- The report presented a damning catalog of administrative failures.
- The museum's digital initiative aims to catalog every artefact in high resolution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAT who loves LOGs. The cat sits on a LOG and reads a big LIST (catalog) of all the other logs in the forest.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/ITEMS ARE CONTAINED IN A LIST (We *consult* the catalog, we *search* the catalog).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'каталог' for a simple flyer or brochure; reserve for systematic lists.
- The verb 'каталогизировать' corresponds to 'to catalog'.
- Do not confuse with 'каталожный' (relating to a catalog) and 'каталожный номер' (catalog number).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'catalog' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'I have three catalogs' is correct).
- Misspelling as 'catalogue' in strict American English contexts.
- Confusing 'catalog' (systematic list) with 'brochure' (promotional pamphlet).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses the verb 'catalog' correctly in an American English context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, but 'catalog' is standard in American English, while 'catalogue' is standard in British English. The meaning is identical.
Yes. It means to make a systematic list of items (e.g., 'to catalog a library collection'). The past tense is 'cataloged' (US) or 'catalogued' (UK).
A catalog is typically a comprehensive, itemized list (of products, books, etc.), often with ordering information. A brochure is a shorter, promotional pamphlet, usually focusing on a specific service, place, or limited product line.
It refers to a long series or list of mistakes or things that have gone wrong, emphasizing the quantity and systematic nature of the failures.