dictionary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dictionary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a book or resource that lists words and their meanings, pronunciations, and other information. Example: "I often consult the dictionary to find the meanings of unfamiliar words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Using a dictionary structure makes it easy to change the content sent to the template but I don't want the template to modify the contents as it renders it.

The Guardian

WS Graham wrote in a 1977 poem of "Floating across the frozen tundra / of the lexicon and the dictionary", but I find lexicons to be more tropical jungle than tundra, gloriously ornate in their tendrilled outgrowths and complex root systems.

The Guardian - Books

Related: Why the OED are right to purge nature from the dictionary Landmarks, the book that has arisen from my own years of word work, is a celebration and defence of land language.

The Guardian - Books

Theory Of Funny: Pathos This week, let's discuss pathos, which my online dictionary defines as "arousing feelings of pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow", and then there's a pop-up offering a free-trial phone sex call with someone who can reduce my mortgage payment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With immutable dictionaries I can declare the base values and then create a new immutable dictionary that is guaranteed to have the base values plus whatever I want to add.

The Guardian

Conventionally you can create a new dictionary on each rendering request and then simply mutate the values during the request handling.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Our Difference Engine column takes a tour through the latest "hype cycle" to try to disentangle the hyperbole from life's truly disruptive technologiesHow dictionary-makers choose wordsThe Oxford Dictionaries recently added a number of words to its online collection.

The Economist

Unsurprisingly, McDonald's itself argues strongly that work in the service sector is valuable – it tried to have the phrase McJob removed from the Oxford English Dictionary in 2007, and in December 2011, McDonald's UK chief executive Jill McDonald told the Guardian the word "undermines the hard work and achievements not only of our people but of all those working in the food service industry".

The Guardian - Money

The Oxford English Dictionary traces the transitive-verb form of "to curate" – as in, "he curated a collection of hats" – to the performance-art scene of the early 80s.

The Guardian - Books

It's designed to reflect our current word usage and therefore the entry requirements are a lot looser than the Oxford English Dictionary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last year omnishambles was voted the word of the year by the Oxford English Dictionary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "dictionary" in technical contexts, specify the type (e.g., data dictionary, Python dictionary) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using a "dictionary" when a "thesaurus" is more appropriate. A "dictionary" provides definitions, while a "thesaurus" offers synonyms and antonyms.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dictionary" is that of a noun. It refers to a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with definitions. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, indicating its role as a core element in linguistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Books

25%

Tech

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "dictionary" is a very common noun used to refer to a reference book or a data structure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, including news, literature, and technology. While alternatives like "lexicon" or "glossary" may be suitable in specific cases, "dictionary" remains a versatile and widely understood term. Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity, particularly in technical discussions. It's important to distinguish the term from ""thesaurus"", which lists words by similarity in meaning rather than providing definitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lexicon

Refers to a vocabulary of a language, often used interchangeably with dictionary but can imply a more comprehensive or specialized collection of words.

wordbook

A less common but direct synonym for dictionary, emphasizing its function as a book of words.

vocabulary list

Highlights the collection of words, especially in a learning context.

glossary

A list of terms with definitions, often specific to a particular subject or field.

thesaurus

A reference book listing words grouped together according to similarity of meaning (containing synonyms and antonyms), not definitions.

terminology

The body of terms used with a particular technical application in a subject of study, theory, profession, etc.

nomenclature

A system of naming things, especially in a branch of science.

word list

A simple compilation of words, often without definitions.

data dictionary

A centralized repository of information about data, especially about data organization, meaning, relationships, origin, usage, and format.

associative array

In computer science, a data structure that maps keys to values, similar to words and definitions in a dictionary.

FAQs

How to use "dictionary" in a sentence?

You can use "dictionary" in a sentence like: "I consulted the "dictionary" to find the precise meaning of the word."

What can I say instead of "dictionary"?

You can use alternatives like "lexicon", "wordbook", or "glossary" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "dictionary" or "lexicon"?

Both "dictionary" and "lexicon" are correct, but "lexicon" often implies a more comprehensive or specialized vocabulary.

What's the difference between a "dictionary" and a "thesaurus"?

A "dictionary" provides definitions of words, while a ""thesaurus"" offers synonyms and antonyms.