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Often a word, or sense of a word, will be followed by a usage label (written in italics). These labels are designed to give the user of the dictionary some additional information about the word. Here is a list of our usage labels, and what each one means. Obsolete: this means that there no evidence of a word’s use since 1755.
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The Oxford English Dictionary records more than 200 words...
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Choose the right dictionary. It's also a good idea to upgrade your dictionary every now and then so that you have access to the latest new words that are added to the dictionary every year.[1] X Research source Consider purchasing specialist dictionaries if they'd be useful in your study or career. Some examples of specialist dictionaries include language dictionaries, technical dictionaries ...Read the introduction. The best way to learn how to use your particular dictionary effectively is to read its introductory section where you'll find out how the entries are arranged. The introductory section of your dictionary will explain important information such as the abbreviations and pronunciation symbols used throughout the entries. Introductions to dictionaries explain things like ...Learn the abbreviations. Dictionaries often have abbreviations in the definitions for a word. This can be confusing if you don't know what the abbreviations stand for. Typically a dictionary will have a list of abbreviations near the front of the book; either in the introduction or after it.[2] X Research source For example "adj." stands for "adjective" and will tell you what kind of word the ...Learn the guide to pronunciation. If you immediately jump right into reading the dictionary without understanding the pronunciation guide, it can be difficult to figure it out. Having an idea about the symbols of pronunciation will make it a lot easier for you.[3] X Research source The pronunciation of a word will be placed between two reversed virgules (\ \) and will typically be printed in ...Don't be afraid to study the etymology of a word. Since much of our language is derived from Greek or Latin, you'll often find yourself learning root words from them, but after you have, you'll find that it can be easier to understand words that are new to you simply by looking at the structure of the word. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0If you're having trouble spelling a word, try the spell-checker in a word processor and see what it suggests. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1Even though it's easy to check words using an online dictionary, the free ones don't always provide enough information, so it pays to always have a hard copy dictionary on your bookshelf to call upon whenever needed. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0Dictionaries vary in content, and some are very specific. Look at the title to find out what you have. If you have a dictionary of rhymes, slang, idioms, synonyms, a foreign language, or a specific interest, such as woodworking terms, seek a more general dictionary. Thanks Helpful 21 Not Helpful 6Printed dictionaries may go out of date as the language changes, so check the copyright date of yours. Another way to gauge the currency of a dictionary is to look for relatively new words, such as "chick flick"[10] X Research source or "metrosexual".[11] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0- 797.6K
A dictionary is an incredible tool when you are learning a language, but knowing how to use it is very important. If you use the dictionary correctly, you can learn a word’s definition, spelling, pronunciation, origin, common usage, as well as what part of speech it is. This is a very important lesson for English learners of all levels, and ...
1: the action of drawing or pulling something over a surface, especially a road or track. 2: the grip of a tyre on a road or a wheel on a rail. This is no help at all – in fact, it is positively confusing. The problem here is that the dictionary hasn’t caught up with changes in the language. The phrase gaining traction is now often used in ...
Click to see a step-by-step slideshow of how to use a dictionary. STEP 1 - Find the word you want to look up. STEP 2 - Find the letter that the word begins with. STEP 4 - Now look at the second ...
For each word you need to write down: The word (eg. happy) The word type (eg. adjective) A definition of the word (eg. delighted, pleased or glad) An example of the word used in a sentence (eg. I ...
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Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a dictionary effectively. 1. Choose the right dictionary: Depending on your needs and language level, choose an appropriate dictionary that suits your requirements. Consider factors like the size, the content (including slang or specialized words), and whether the definitions are simple or complex.
