Dictionary

/ˈdɪk.ʃə.nə.ɹi/ name, noun, verb

name, noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A reference work listing words or names from one or more languages, usually ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meanings or senses, oftentimes also containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, semantic relations, translations, as well as other relevant information.
  • Grammar: dictionary is listed as name, noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: lexicon, associative array, biographical dictionary, cambridge.
  • Useful contrasts: roget, thesaurus.
  • Usage evidence: In a dictionary like this one there should be at least two sentences with "fridge".

How to use "dictionary"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dictionary" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dictionary" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dictionary" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dictionary" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "dictionary" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "lexicon" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "dictionary", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A reference work listing words or names from one or more languages, usually ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meanings or senses, oftentimes also containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, semantic relations, translations, as well as other relevant information.

    "If you want to know the meaning of a word, look it up in the dictionary."

  2. 2
    a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them wordnet
  3. 3
    A reference work on a particular subject or activity in which the entries are arranged alphabetically; an alphabetical encyclopedia. broadly

    "a law dictionary"

  4. 4
    A person or thing regarded as a repository or compendium of information. figuratively
  5. 5
    The collection of words used or understood by a particular person; vocabulary. derogatory, especially, possessive, with-of
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    A synchronic dictionary of a standardised language held to only contain words that are properly part of the language.

    "Look it up in the dictionary, and what do you find?"

  2. 7
    An associative array, a data structure where each value is referenced by a particular key, analogous to words and definitions in a dictionary (noun sense 1).

    "User calls RouteCollection.GetVirtualPath, passing in a RequestContext, a dictionary of values, and an optional route name used to select the correct route to generate the URL."

Verb
  1. 1
    To look up in a dictionary. transitive
  2. 2
    To add to a dictionary. transitive

    "By a reference to the following dictionaried abbreviations, the simplicity and harmony of each sentence will be manifestly apparent; although it does not embrace everything, and could not, as it would be far too voluminous for general use."

  3. 3
    To compile a dictionary. intransitive, rare

    "They [dictionary-makers] may have had their romance at home—may have been crossed in love, and thence driven to dictionarying; may have been involved in domestic tragedies—who can say?"

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    Nickname for a swot or studious person, or one who uses needlessly complicated words.

    "His friends called him "Dictionary." There were other names they called him that were far worse."

Synonyms

All synonyms
lexiconassociative arraybiographical dictionarycambridgecantchemical dictionary

Antonyms

Example

"In a dictionary like this one there should be at least two sentences with "fridge"."

Common questions

What does "dictionary" mean?

A reference work listing words or names from one or more languages, usually ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meanings or senses, oftentimes also containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, semantic relations, translations, as well as other relevant information.

What is a synonym for "dictionary"?

Common synonyms include: lexicon, associative array, biographical dictionary, cambridge, cant, chemical dictionary.

How do you use "dictionary" in a sentence?

In a dictionary like this one there should be at least two sentences with "fridge".

How do you pronounce "dictionary"?

Pronounced /ˈdɪk.ʃə.nə.ɹi/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *deyḱ- Proto-Indo-European *déyḱeti Proto-Italic *deikō Medieval Latin dīcō Proto-Indo-European *-tisder. Proto-Italic *-tjō Medieval Latin -tiō Medieval Latin dictiō Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āsios Medieval Latin -ārius Medieval Latin -ārium Medieval Latin dictiōnāriumlbor. Middle English dixionare English dictionary From Middle English dixionare, a learned borrowing from Medieval Latin dictiōnārium, from Latin dictiōnārius, from dictiō (“a speaking”), from dictus, perfect past participle of dīcō (“to speak”) + -ārium (“room, place”). By surface analysis, diction + -ary.

Etymology 2

From dictionary.

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