glossary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'glossary' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an alphabetical list of terminology, explanations, or definitions of words related to a specific subject, such as a book, article, or website. For example: "This document includes a glossary at the end, so you can easily look up any unfamiliar terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later, he emailed me as an attachment the section of the glossary covering those words beginning with the letter "b".

The Guardian - Books

And this is why I decided to leave blank the final glossary of the book – there to hold the place-words that have yet to be coined.

The Guardian - Books

Strangest of all these strangenesses, though, was the revelation in the week I finished the book, that its originating dream of a glossary of landscape-language so vast it might encompass the world had, almost, come true.

The Guardian - Books

Shepherd was a word-hoarder, and her slim masterpiece The Living Mountain carries a long glossary of Scots terms, which abounds with walking words (spangin', for "walking vigorously") and weather words: smoored, for "smothered in snow", and the unforgettable roarie bummlers, meaning "fast-moving storm clouds".

The Guardian - Books

We were clearly supposed to know who these people were, but none of them meant a thing to me, and to ask him for a short glossary would expose me as someone who palpably wasn't in the in-crowd.

The Guardian

Reading the glossary, I was amazed by the compressive elegance of its lexis, and its capacity for fine discrimination: a caochan, for instance, is "a slender moor-stream obscured by vegetation such that it is virtually hidden from sight", while a feadan is "a small stream running from a moorland loch", and a fèith is "a fine vein-like watercourse running through peat, often dry in the summer".

The Guardian - Books

Many of the glossary words are, like ungive, memorably vivid.

The Guardian - Books

Then I read the note preceding the first entry ("bā (Akkadian, jungbabylonisch lex).: water"): "This glossary is a work in progress.

The Guardian - Books

The American edition would have benefited from a glossary of acronyms, fewer typographical errors and an index that more accurately reflects the main body of the text.

The Economist

Frequent trips to the glossary in the back may help those without a biological background to make sense of some passages.If that sounds like a criticism, it should not.

The Economist

Thus each XML document must be provided with an appendix, known as the Document Type Definition (DTD), a kind of glossary containing information on the nature of the document's content, the tags used for various elements, as well as a listing of where in the document the tags occur and how they fit together.Creating such an appendix can be arduous.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When creating a "glossary", ensure that terms are defined clearly and concisely, avoiding jargon or overly technical language that could confuse readers.

Common error

Avoid using excessively technical or field-specific language when defining terms in a "glossary". The goal is to clarify, not obfuscate. Aim for definitions that are accessible to the intended audience, even if they lack specialized knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The word "glossary" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a list of terms and their definitions, often related to a specific subject. Ludwig shows that it's commonly used in academic and technical contexts to aid understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academic

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "glossary" refers to an alphabetical list of terms and their definitions, usually specific to a particular field or subject. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as a noun and serves the purpose of clarifying specialized vocabulary, as seen in the examples from Ludwig. Its register is generally neutral, and it appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. Remember to define terms clearly and concisely when creating a "glossary", and avoid using overly technical language to ensure accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lexicon

A broader term for a vocabulary or dictionary, often implying a more comprehensive collection.

reference list of terms

Refers to a list of terms and their definitions for reference purposes, often found at the end of academic texts or technical manuals.

terminology list

Focuses specifically on the listing aspect of terms used in a particular field.

terminology guide

It is a guide that refers to a specific language of a particular field.

vocabulary index

Emphasizes the arrangement and retrieval of vocabulary, acting as an index.

brief dictionary

Emphasizing the concise and limited nature of its content, this conveys more information than an encyclopedia.

terminology compendium

Highlights a comprehensive gathering of terms related to a specific subject.

nomenclature

Refers specifically to a system of names or terms used in a particular science or art.

defined terms

Focuses on the state of terms being defined within a specific scope or document.

subject index

Points to an index that provides defined subjects and their definitions.

FAQs

How do I use "glossary" in a sentence?

You can use "glossary" to refer to an alphabetical list of terms with their definitions, such as: "The textbook includes a comprehensive "glossary" of key concepts at the end."

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

A "glossary" typically focuses on terms specific to a particular subject or field, while a dictionary provides definitions for a broader range of words. A "dictionary" is more general purpose, while a glossary is context-specific.

What should I include in a "glossary"?

A "glossary" should include all technical terms, jargon, and specialized vocabulary used within a document or field. Ensure each term is clearly and concisely defined, providing sufficient context for understanding.

Where should I place a "glossary" in a document?

A "glossary" is commonly placed at the end of a document, such as a book, article, or report, in order to not interrupt the flow of the main text while still providing easy access to definitions. It can also be placed at the beginning in some cases.