What to Expect in a Decent Dictionary (Part 2)
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The first part looked at some information that is typically found in most dictionaries – meaning(s), part of speech, pronunciation, verb forms, and miscellaneous grammar points.
Here’s some more information you are likely to come across:
- Synonyms and antonyms
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning, or nearly the same, as another word. An antonym, on the other hand, is a word that means the opposite of another word.
Example:
honest
Synonyms – truthful, sincere, trustworthy, straightforward, reliable
Antonym – dishonest, corrupt, deceitful, insincere, untrustworthy, unreliable
- Collocations
The word collocation refers to a word combination that happens naturally in a language. Learning such typical combinations is important because it broadens the scope for expressing ideas clearly.
Example:
food
Verb collocations – consume / eat / have / cook / make / prepare food
Adjective collocations – fast / junk / takeaway / fresh / organic / canned food
- Example sentences
Example sentences are perhaps the best way to learn how to use a word or phrase accurately in a sentence. They show us the way various grammatical features work together to form a sentence. Some dictionaries print fixed expressions or phrases in bold to help users learn faster.
Example:
The change in policy will do serious harm to our business.
Though I’m not particularly fond of my mother-in-law, I don’t wish her any harm.
I know our neighbour’s dog looks ferocious, but he means no harm.
- Register
The term register means the degree of formality associated with a word. At times, dictionaries also highlight words that are old-fashioned or offensive.
Example:
ascertain (formal) = to find out
ripping (old-fashioned) = wonderful
gaffer (informal) = an individual who is in charge of a group of people
dude (slang) = a man
bird (sometimes offensive) = a way of referring to a young woman
- Spelling
A lot of words have alternative spellings, depending on the version used – British English (BrE) or North American English (NAmE).
Example:
theatre (BrE) / theater (NAmE)
doughnut / donut (NAmE)
colour (BrE) / color (NAmE)
So, the next time you use a dictionary, gather different types of information that can help you better your English.
GLOSSARY
| miscellaneous | ||
| Form | : | adjective |
| Meaning | : | consisting of different kinds of things |
| Example | : | Tom has a box of miscellaneous items from his childhood. |
| scope (for something) | ||
| Form | : | noun |
| Meaning | : | the opportunity to do something |
| Example | : | Sally’s new job offers plenty of scope for international travel. |
| offensive | ||
| Form | : | adjective |
| Meaning | : | rude or unpleasant |
| Example | : | Students who use offensive language in the classroom will be punished. |
| alternative | ||
| Form | : | adjective |
| Meaning | : | describes something that can be used instead of something else |
| Example | : | Swimming is a good alternative to running when recovering from an injury |