What does "encyclopedic" mean?
Of or relating to the characteristics of an encyclopedia; concerning all subjects, having comprehensive information or knowledge.
Encyclopedic
/ensaiːkloˈpʰiːdək/ adj
adj ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Of or relating to the characteristics of an encyclopedia; concerning all subjects, having comprehensive information or knowledge.
- Grammar: encyclopedic is listed as adj.
- Nearest alternatives: abstruse, across the board, across-the-board, all comprehensive.
- Useful contrasts: biased, narrow, partial.
- Usage evidence: She has an encyclopedic knowledge of cooking.
How to use "encyclopedic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "encyclopedic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- 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 "encyclopedic" 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 "encyclopedic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "encyclopedic" 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 "encyclopedic" is acting as adj 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 "abstruse" 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 "encyclopedic", 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
Adjective
- 1 Of or relating to the characteristics of an encyclopedia; concerning all subjects, having comprehensive information or knowledge.
- 2 Relating to or containing descriptive information rather than only linguistic or lexical information; about facts and concepts, and not only a word or term; including proper names, biographical and geographical information and illustrations.
"[p 151] Although separate encyclopedic sections have nothing to do with the dictionary proper, there are no compelling logical reasons for condemning them. [p 212] Terms derived from names fall into three categories. Some, like Chomskyan, refer to a person and the work done by that person, or to a place or a person from that place (Virginian, Londoner), and should be defined only in relation to the person or place. They are essentially encyclopedic entries and, if the dictionary contains an entry for the person or place in question, could well be run on without a separate definition. [p 359] The difficulty of distinguishing between lexical units and items in a nomenclature is especially nettlesome in specialized dictionaries, which are by their nature more encyclopedic than general dictionaries."
Adjective
- 1 comprehensive in scope or content (as an encyclopedia) wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"She has an encyclopedic knowledge of cooking."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "encyclopedic"?
Common synonyms include: abstruse, across the board, across-the-board, all comprehensive, all inclusive, all-comprehensive.
How do you use "encyclopedic" in a sentence?
She has an encyclopedic knowledge of cooking.
How do you pronounce "encyclopedic"?
Pronounced /ensaiːkloˈpʰiːdək/.
Etymology
First attested in 1824, encyclopedia + -ic.