Using a dictionary and thesaurus

Overview

Learn about using a dictionary and thesaurus, what they are and the main uses of them. This course is ideal for intermediate learners.

Introduction

A dictionary is basically a long list of different words alongside their different meanings, and they will also tell you the type of word that you are dealing with as well – meaning a dictionary will tell you whether a word is a verb or a noun, for example.
There was a time when dictionaries were very large books that people had to carry around with them. While dictionaries still come in book form, you can also find them online now as well – we will look at this in more detail a little later in this session.
Dictionaries also come in the form of mobile applications that can be downloaded to your phone or tablet.

Dictionaries organise their information alphabetically – meaning the words are listed in the same order as the alphabet. Each word is classed as its own ‘entry’ in the dictionary and because of this it has a set space in the book, where it is usually written in bold writing to help it stand out.

So the words – or entries – in a dictionary will run through from A at the beginning to Z at the end. But that is not all you need to remember!

You will learn

Understand what a dictionary is
Know the main uses of a dictionary
Understand what a thesaurus is
Know the main uses of a thesaurus

Enrolment options