What types of information can you find about a word in a dictionary besides its definition?

1 answer

In a dictionary, you can find a variety of information about a word beyond just its definition, including:

  1. Pronunciation: Phonetic spelling and sometimes audio pronunciations to help with how to say the word.

  2. Part of Speech: Indication of whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc.

  3. Etymology: The origin and historical development of the word, including its roots and how its meaning has evolved.

  4. Synonyms and Antonyms: Words that have similar or opposite meanings to provide context and alternative options.

  5. Usage Examples: Sentences or phrases showing how the word is used in context.

  6. Idiomatic Expressions: Information about phrases that include the word, especially if it has a particular idiomatic meaning.

  7. Grammatical Information: Information about conjugation (for verbs), declension (for nouns and adjectives), and other grammatical properties.

  8. Cross-References: Links to related words or concepts for further exploration.

  9. Variations: Different forms of the word (plural forms, past tense, etc.) and related words.

  10. Frequency Information: Usage frequency data or notes about how common or rare the term is.

  11. Register or Formaility: Information on whether the word is formal, informal, colloquial, slang, etc.

  12. Derivatives: Other words that are derived from the root word.

This comprehensive information helps users understand not just the definition of a word but also its usage, history, and nuances in different contexts.