ex libris
C2Formal, literary, bibliophilic
Definition
Meaning
A printed label, often decorative, pasted inside the front cover of a book to indicate its owner; literally, 'from the books (or library) of'.
A term for a bookplate; can be used metonymically to refer to a personal library or book collection bearing one's mark.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a Latin phrase used as a noun in English. While its core meaning is a physical bookplate, it can also be used attributively (e.g., 'an ex libris label'). It primarily belongs to the domain of book collecting and library science.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more likely to be used in formal or antiquarian contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes erudition, personal ownership, bibliophilia, and often a sense of tradition or history.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, used almost exclusively by book collectors, librarians, and in academic/literary circles.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The rare book contained an ornate ex libris.The ex libris of the famous author was highly sought after.She designed a personalised ex libris for her collection.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in library science, history of the book, and provenance studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A specific term in bibliography and book collecting.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The ex libris label was elegantly engraved.
American English
- She commissioned an ex libris design for her novels.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I found an old book with a beautiful picture inside the cover.
- The collector was thrilled to discover a first edition with the author's personal bookplate.
- The provenance was established by the ornate ex libris bearing the Duke's coat of arms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a book saying 'EXcuse me, this book is from my LIBRary, so it's mine, See?' (EX LIBRIS).
Conceptual Metaphor
OWNERSHIP IS A MARK/SEAL
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'из библиотеки' (from *a* library). 'Ex libris' implies personal, not institutional, ownership.
- It is not a verb or an action ('to take from a library'). It is a noun for a label.
- It is not directly translatable as 'экслибрис' in modern, everyday Russian contexts, which is a direct borrowing with the same specialized meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I ex librised my books').
- Pronouncing the final 's' in 'libris' as /z/. It is /s/.
- Misspelling as 'exlibris' (often written as one word, but traditionally two).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'ex libris'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Latin phrase adopted into English as a loanword, used specifically in the context of books and collecting.
In British English, it's /ˌɛks ˈliːbrɪs/. In American English, it's /ˌɛks ˈlaɪbrɪs/. The 'ex' is pronounced like 'eks'.
It is highly unlikely. Unless you are specifically talking about bookplates with someone who collects books, the more common term 'bookplate' is preferable.
An ex libris is a formal, often decorative, printed or engraved label intended specifically for this purpose. A signature is handwritten and informal. An ex libris is a more deliberate and artistic mark of ownership.