encyclopedia

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'encyclopedia' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a book or set of books that contain detailed information on a wide range of subjects. For example, "I used the encyclopedia to look up the definition of a giraffe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As we weave between highway lanes towards the coast, Guzman explains he is currently creating an encyclopedia of Chilean food, called Endemics, about the country's edible ingredients and lost recipes.

The Guardian - Travel

Contribsx was blocked by the online encyclopedia earlier this week because of suspicions it was being operated by Shapps or "someone close to him".

The Guardian

The online encyclopedia, where pages are edited and created by readers, has tracked the changes made by a user called "Contribsx" who has systematically removed embarrassing references on Shapps' Wikipedia page about the Tory chairman's business activities as Michael Green, the self-styled millionaire web marketer.

The Guardian

Not everything in the "blogosphere" is poetry, not every audio "podcast" is a symphony, not every video "vlog" would do well at Sundance, and not every entry on Wikipedia, the free and collaborative online encyclopedia, is 100% correct, concedes Mr Michalski.

The Economist

When he failed to turn up outside the Ram Inn to marshal the Thieveley Pike fell race on September 28th, it was the first hint that something was amiss.The runners' bibleOther fell-runners revered him not just because he ran the tough races coming second in the Fellsman Hike in 1973, 1976 and 1977 but because he was a walking encyclopedia of amateur fell-running.

The Economist

Inspirations included Wikipedia, the web encyclopedia written by volunteers, and the leak of the Pentagon Papers by Daniel Ellsberg to the New York Times during the Vietnam war, which ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling that "only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government".

The Economist

WIKIPEDIA, a giant online encyclopedia compiled by volunteers, is the product of the aggregation of lots of people's spare time.

The Economist

The free online encyclopedia, which celebrates its tenth birthday on January 15th, is a symbol of unpaid collaboration and one of the most popular destinations on the internet, attracting some 400m visitors a month.

The Economist

It is what Wikipedia has achieved as an encyclopedia.

The Economist

He now plans to publish an encyclopedia of modern Arab art.

The Economist

The encyclopedia is prefaced by a passage from Faulkner himself: "Tell about the South.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encyclopedia" to denote a comprehensive compilation of information, whether in print or digital format.

Common error

Avoid using "encyclopedia" as a verb. Instead of saying "I want to encyclopedia this topic", use more appropriate verbs like "research", "investigate", or "compile information on".

Linguistic Context

The word "encyclopedia" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a comprehensive collection of information on various subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in sentences as exemplified in the provided context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "encyclopedia" is a noun that denotes a comprehensive reference work, often spanning multiple volumes or existing as an online resource. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Its function is to describe a resource that provides detailed information on diverse subjects. The usage is predominantly neutral to formal, appearing frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When writing about encyclopedias, it's best to use it as a noun. Steer clear from using "encyclopedia" as a verb. You can replace the term with synonyms, such as "comprehensive reference work" or "compendium of knowledge".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive reference work

This phrase emphasizes the breadth and completeness of the reference material.

compendium of knowledge

This term suggests a carefully compiled collection of information.

body of knowledge

This phrase refers to the accumulated knowledge in a particular field.

reference library

Implies a wide collection of reference material

survey of facts

Highlights the presentation of factual information.

knowledge base

Focuses on the structure and organization of the information.

information repository

Emphasizes the storage and accessibility of the information.

digest of information

Suggests a condensed and easily digestible collection of information.

collection of articles

Highlights the composition of the reference work as a set of individual pieces.

overview of subjects

This emphasizes the breadth of topics covered.

FAQs

How can I use "encyclopedia" in a sentence?

You can use "encyclopedia" to describe a comprehensive reference work, like "The library has a large collection of encyclopedias" or "I consulted an encyclopedia for my research project".

What is another way to say "encyclopedia"?

Alternatives include "comprehensive reference work", "compendium of knowledge", or "body of knowledge", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to cite Wikipedia as an encyclopedia?

While Wikipedia is a widely used source, it's important to acknowledge its collaborative nature and potential for bias. It's generally better to cite established encyclopedias or primary sources when possible. Wikipedia can be a good starting point for research, but verify information with more authoritative sources.

What's the difference between an encyclopedia and a dictionary?

An encyclopedia provides in-depth information on a wide range of subjects, while a dictionary primarily focuses on the definitions, pronunciations, and etymologies of words.