Lesson 11 – In the World of Dictionaries
What is a Dictionary?
dictionary: noun
a book in which words are listed in alphabetical order from A to 7. You look up a word in a dictionary to find out what it means and how to spell it.
dictionary: /ˈdɪk.ʃən.ər.i/ plural dictionaries (c)
1. a book that gives a list of words in alphabetical order and explains their meanings in the same language, or another language.
2. a book that explains words used in a subject.
A dictionary shows us many things.
- Words in a dictionary are usually arranged in alphabetical order.
- A dictionary tells us what a word means.
- A dictionary shows us how a word is spelt.
- A dictionary tells us how a word is pronounced.
- A dictionary shows us the different forms of the same word.
- For example, rose-roses, go-going-went-gone, etc.
- A dictionary tells us with the help of examples, how a word is used.
- A dictionary lists many other word phrases related to that word.
- A dictionary points out the different meanings of words which have the same spelling.
- A dictionary also tells us the grammatical class to which a word belongs. (You will learn about these classes of words when you are a little older)
Types of Dictionaries:
Children’s dictionaries: Some dictionaries are designed specially for children. They include only a few thousand words but there are many pictures and diagrams in children’s dictionaries. There may also be word-games, puzzles and jokes based on the meaning or use of words.
Pronouncing dictionaries: Some dictionaries provide only the pronunciation of words. It is shown with the help of special symbols.
Dictionaries of synonyms: Some dictionaries give lists of synonyms words which have a similar meaning. They may also include antonyms or opposites.
Visual dictionaries: Some dictionaries contain only ‘visuals’ or pictures. They do not have to explain the meaning in words, as the visuals speak for themselves. The visuals may be in the form of photographs, diagrams or hand drawn pictures. They are all labelled. See the simple visual given alongside. In the same way, even complicated machines or systems are made simple in a visual dictionary.
Encyclopedic dictionaries: Encyclopedias are books that give a lot of information on a great number of topics. Encyclopedic dictionaries, too, give a lot more information about most of the words they contain. These dictionaries are usually quite thick and contain many more words than the smaller, ordinary dictionaries.
Online dictionaries: Computers and the internet have brought with them ‘online’ dictionaries. They are very easy to use. You just type the word you want to look up and instantly you are shown its meaning, use, etc. You can even listen to the proper pronunciation of a word. A printed dictionary cannot do this.