a large dictionary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large dictionary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a dictionary that has a significant number of entries or extensive content. Example: "For my research, I need to consult a large dictionary to find the definitions of uncommon words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

There is a large dictionary stand with an unabridged dictionary.

The New York Times - Books

Even the English can only be fully understood with the help of a (large) dictionary (unless you know what words like "sphingine" mean).

The Guardian - Books

One councilman, Mathieu Eugene, was carrying a slab of papers as thick as a large dictionary, each sheet representing, he said, a family facing foreclosure in his district, which includes parts of Crown Heights, Flatbush and Kensington.

The New York Times

We have looked up the word in a large dictionary and would set down that a vomitory is something used by anybody leaving an amphitheatre or a tier of seats; it is an exit.

The New Yorker

We gained a large dictionary of more than 12,000 pairs.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Matching pursuit requires that a large dictionary of chirplet functions be generated in advance [47].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

A larger dictionary means better compression, but the memory requirements are ten times the dictionary size.

WikiHow

Precisely, to represent the particle with relatively little error, sparse representation usually requires a relatively large dictionary (with a trivial template) and relatively dense coefficients, which both will increase the solution complexity.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

A very large dictionary from which to generate word lists for correction is useful but may become a limitation in the following ways.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

One study found that in a set of arbitrarily chosen passages from modern fiction, an average of 13percentt of the nouns, verbs and adjectives were used in senses not found in a large desk dictionary.

The New York Times - Magazine

There they began work in earnest on their most ambitious enterprise, the Deutsches Wörterbuch, a large German dictionary intended as a guide for the user of the written and spoken word as well as a scholarly reference work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a large dictionary", consider whether the emphasis is on the physical size or the extensive content. Choose synonyms like "comprehensive" or "unabridged" for greater precision if content is the key aspect.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a large dictionary" is inherently more authoritative. Smaller, specialized dictionaries may provide more accurate information for specific fields. Prioritize dictionaries that are reputable and regularly updated, regardless of size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large dictionary" functions as a noun phrase, where "large" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "dictionary". Ludwig shows that the phrase is used to describe the physical size or the extensive content of a dictionary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a large dictionary" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a dictionary with many entries or a significant physical size. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While the phrase itself is straightforward, it's important to consider whether emphasizing the size or content is more relevant to your meaning. Alternatives like "comprehensive dictionary" or "unabridged dictionary" may offer greater precision. Avoid assuming that "a large dictionary" is always superior; specialized dictionaries can be more authoritative in specific fields. Overall, "a large dictionary" is a versatile and reliable phrase, as long as it's used thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extensive dictionary

Focuses on the comprehensiveness of the dictionary rather than just its size.

a comprehensive dictionary

Emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of the dictionary's contents.

an unabridged dictionary

Specifically refers to a dictionary that includes all words, without any omissions.

a substantial lexicon

Uses a more formal term ('lexicon') to refer to a dictionary or vocabulary, implying significant size.

a voluminous dictionary

Highlights the large volume or physical size of the dictionary.

a full-sized dictionary

Emphasizes that the dictionary is not a smaller, abridged version.

a desk dictionary

Indicates a dictionary of a size suitable for keeping on a desk, typically larger than a pocket dictionary.

a detailed dictionary

Highlights the level of detail and information provided for each entry.

a complete wordbook

Uses 'wordbook' as a synonym for dictionary, stressing its completeness.

a scholarly dictionary

Suggests the dictionary is compiled and designed for academic or research purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "a large dictionary" in a sentence?

You can use "a large dictionary" to describe the size or scope of a dictionary. For example, "The researcher consulted "a large dictionary" to verify the spelling and definition of the obscure word."

What are some alternatives to saying "a large dictionary"?

Alternatives include "a comprehensive dictionary", "an extensive dictionary", or "an unabridged dictionary", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a large dictionary" or "a comprehensive dictionary"?

Both phrases are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "A large dictionary" focuses on size, while ""a comprehensive dictionary"" focuses on the breadth and depth of its content.

What's the difference between "a large dictionary" and "a desk dictionary"?

"A large dictionary" simply describes a dictionary with many entries or significant physical size. "A desk dictionary" refers to a dictionary specifically sized to be conveniently used on a desk, generally implying it's not a pocket or travel size.