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Using Dictionary, Thesaurus and Online Sources

The document provides tips for using dictionaries, thesauruses, and the internet to look up definitions and synonyms. It explains how to use guide words and part-of-speech abbreviations in dictionaries as well as index numbers in traditional thesauruses. Additionally, it notes that definitions can be searched online via the web or using dictionary apps on smartphones.

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Pearl Irene Joy NiLo
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1K views3 pages

Using Dictionary, Thesaurus and Online Sources

The document provides tips for using dictionaries, thesauruses, and the internet to look up definitions and synonyms. It explains how to use guide words and part-of-speech abbreviations in dictionaries as well as index numbers in traditional thesauruses. Additionally, it notes that definitions can be searched online via the web or using dictionary apps on smartphones.

Uploaded by

Pearl Irene Joy NiLo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Source: LEARNER’s PACKET [LeaP] W1 KS3

1. Using the DICTIONARY


If you are unable to understand the meaning of an unfamiliar word by using context
clues, then you should look up the word in a dictionary. Here are tips for proper
dictionary usage.
✓ Look at the preface and notes in your dictionary. The preface contains explanations about the various
symbols and abbreviations. Find out what your dictionary has to offer.
✓ Good dictionaries include all known definitions of a word. When you are looking up a word, do not
stop after you have read the first meaning! Keep reading, and look for the meaning that best fits the
context of your sentence.
✓ If the difficult word has a prefix such as un-- or mis-, you may have to look up the root word.

Other Important Entry Elements


1.1. Guide Words
The words listed in a dictionary are listed in alphabetical order,letter by letter. Pairs
ofguide words are usually at the top of each set of facing pages. Guide words list the
first and last defined word to appear on a page (facing pages).Using guide words help
you quickly locate the word you seek. If The guide words on facing pages are symbolic
and sympathy, you will have to turn to the next page to find symphonic.

1.2. Main/Word Entries


Main entries are the words that are explained in a dictionary. These words appear in
boldface (dark) type. Main entries may be single words, compound words,
abbreviations, affixes, or phrases.

1.3. Parts of Speech The dictionary uses nine abbreviations for the parts of speech.
n. noun v.t. transitive verb adj. adjective
pron. pronoun interj.interjection adv. Adverb
v.i.intransitive verb conj. conjunction prep. preposition

1.4. Restrictive labels


Subject labels tell you that a word has a special meaning when used in a particular
field ( mus. for music,med. for medicine, zool. for zoology, etc. ) Usage labels tell you
how a word is used (slang, colloq, for colloquial, dial. for dialect, etc.) Geographic labels
tell you in which region of the country (N.E. for New England, West, South, etc.) the
definition applies.

1.5. Spelling
Not knowing how to spell a word can make it difficult to find in the dictionary, but not
impossible. You will be surprised at how quickly you can find most words by following
the sounded-out spelling.
2. Using the THESAURUS
The best place to look for synonyms and antonyms is the thesaurus. A
thesaurus is, in a sense, the opposite of a dictionary. You go to a dictionary when you
know the word but need the definition. You go to a thesaurus when you know the
definition but need the word. For example, you might want a word that means fear, the
kind of fear that causes more worry than pain. You need the word to complete the
following sentence:
▪ Ginny experienced a certain amount of(fear) over the upcoming exam.
The thesaurus comes in two forms: Dictionary Form and Traditional Form. If it is
in dictionary form, you simply look up the word fear as you would in a dictionary. If,
however, you have a traditional thesaurus, you need to first look up the word in the
alphabetical INDEX at the back of the thesaurus. You might find this entry for fear in
the index.
FEAR 860
Fearful painful 830
timid 862
The numbers after fear are GUIDE NUMBERS, not page numbers. If you look up
number 860 in the body of the thesaurus, you will find a long list of synonyms for the
word fear: These include fearfulness, timidity, diffidence, apprehensiveness, solicitude,
anxiety, mistrust, suspicion, and qualm.

So, instead of using the word “fear,” the sentence becomes more appropriate
by using a synonymous word:
▪ Ginny experienced a certain amount of anxiety over the upcoming
exam.
3. Using the INTERNET
The internet provides many different types of information. Besides the
dictionary and a thesaurus, definitions of terms may also be searched via the World
Wide Web. Moreover, those who have smartphones may download mobile dictionary
apps, such as Merriam-Webster, and Oxford Dictionary of English,

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