Dictionary

A dictionary is a collection of words and their definitions, often listed alphabetically. It is used to look up the meaning of words or phrases, find synonyms and antonyms, spell check, and translate words from one language to another. Dictionaries can be printed in book form or accessed online. They are essential for language learners as they provide accurate information about how to use words correctly. A dictionary usually includes a word’s part of speech, pronunciation, etymology (origin), definition(s), example sentences or phrases illustrating its usage, synonyms (words with similar meanings) and antonyms (words with opposite meanings). Many dictionaries also include information about grammar rules, collocations (commonly used word combinations), idioms (phrases with figurative meanings) and other aspects of language usage. Dictionaries may be general purpose or specialized in nature. A general purpose dictionary provides definitions for everyday use while specialized dictionaries focus on specific topics such as medicine, science, law or computing. Dictionary entries may also include images or audio recordings to help explain the meaning of a word. The most comprehensive English language dictionaries are produced by the Oxford University Press and Merriam-Webster Inc.. Others include Cambridge University Press’s Collins English Dictionary and Encyclopedia Britannica’s American Heritage Dictionary. There are many online dictionaries available including Webster’s Online Dictionary, WordNet from Princeton University and The Free Dictionary from Farlex Inc..