dictionary
C1Neutral (used in formal, academic, and everyday contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about their meanings, pronunciations, etymologies, and other linguistic details.
Any electronic or physical resource that systematically lists words and provides definitions; by extension, a reference work for any specialized terminology (e.g., 'law dictionary,' 'data dictionary').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. Can be used metaphorically to describe a person who knows many words ('He's a walking dictionary').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Equally neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
consult [OBJ: dictionary] for [OBJ: word]look up [OBJ: word] in [OBJ: dictionary]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A walking dictionary (a person with a vast vocabulary)”
- “Not in the dictionary (informal: something unusual or non-standard).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare except in publishing or language training contexts.
Academic
Common in linguistics, language studies, and as a standard research tool.
Everyday
Very common, especially among language learners and for general reference.
Technical
Used in computing ('data dictionary'), lexicography.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- To dictionary a new term is to include it in an official lexicon.
- They decided to dictionary the popular slang word.
American English
- The committee voted to dictionary the technical acronym.
- Lexicographers dictionary new words every year.
adverb
British English
- He explained the term dictionary, quoting directly from the Oxford.
- She spoke almost dictionary, with perfect phrasing.
American English
- The instruction was written too dictionary for beginners.
- He defined it dictionary, without any examples.
adjective
British English
- She has a dictionary knowledge of legal terms.
- His approach was rather dictionary-like.
American English
- He provided a dictionary definition of the concept.
- Her answer was purely dictionary, lacking personal insight.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I use a dictionary to learn new English words.
- This dictionary has pictures.
- You should look up unfamiliar words in a dictionary.
- A good learner's dictionary gives example sentences.
- Monolingual dictionaries are more useful for advanced learners than bilingual ones.
- The dictionary entry included the word's etymology and usage notes.
- The lexicographers are constantly revising the dictionary to reflect contemporary usage.
- His argument relied on a narrowly dictionary interpretation of the statute.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DICT' means 'say' (as in dictate) + 'tionary' (place for). A dictionary is a place for things said (words).
Conceptual Metaphor
A dictionary is an AUTHORITY (a source of definitive knowledge).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'encyclopedia' (энциклопедия). A dictionary defines words; an encyclopedia explains topics.
- The Russian word 'словарь' maps directly to 'dictionary.'
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect plural: 'dictionarys' (correct: 'dictionaries').
- Misspelling: 'dictionnary' (common French influence error).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a primary function of a dictionary?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A dictionary provides definitions, pronunciations, and etymologies. A thesaurus provides synonyms and antonyms.
Reputable online dictionaries from established publishers (e.g., Oxford, Merriam-Webster) are equally reliable and are updated more frequently.
It's a metaphorical term for a person with an exceptionally large and readily available vocabulary.
Major online dictionaries are updated continuously. New print editions of comprehensive dictionaries are typically published every 5-10 years.
Collections
Part of a collection
Education
A2 · 50 words · School, studying and learning vocabulary.