VocabauraVOCABAURA

dictionary

noun · verb

Simple meaning

A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

dikshuhnuhree

Say the bold part a little louder.

US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈdɪkʃənɛɹi

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

  1. A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them

  2. A reference work listing words or names from one or more languages, usually ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meanings or senses, oftentimes also containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, semantic relations, translations, as well as other relevant information.

  3. by extension

    A reference work on a particular subject or activity in which the entries are arranged alphabetically; an alphabetical encyclopedia.

  4. (with of or possessive, frequently figurative, especially derogatory) The collection of words used or understood by a particular person; vocabulary.

  5. figurative

    A person or thing regarded as a repository or compendium of information.

  6. Nickname for a swot or studious person, or one who uses needlessly complicated words.

verb

  1. transitive

    To look up in a dictionary.

  2. transitive

    To add to a dictionary.

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them

Used this way, dictionary is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
Matter-of-fact
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use dictionary

  • “Always look up unfamiliar words in a good dictionary.”noun

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.