dictionary
A book that contains a list of words in alphabetical order and that explains their meanings, or gives a word for them in another language; a similar product for use on a computer
دیکشنری، لغت نامه، فرهنگ لغات
I couldn't find the word in the dictionary.
نتوانستم کلمه را در دیکشنری پیدا کنم.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
dictionary
noun (plural dictionaries)
a book that gives words from A to Z and explains what each word means:
Look up the words in your dictionary.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
dictionary
dic‧tion‧a‧ry /ˈdɪkʃənəri $ -neri/ BrE AmE noun (plural dictionaries) [countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: dictionarium, from Late Latin dictio 'word'; ⇨ ↑diction]
1. a book that gives a list of words in alphabetical order and explains their meanings in the same language, or another language:
a German – English dictionary
2. a book that explains the words and phrases used in a particular subject:
a science dictionary
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ use a dictionary We advise all our students to use a good dictionary.
▪ look something up in a dictionary If you don’t understand the meaning of a word, look it up in a dictionary.
▪ check a dictionary I often check the dictionary for spelling and pronunciation.
▪ consult a dictionary formal (=check something in a dictionary) Consult the dictionary for examples of how a word is used.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + dictionary
▪ a pocket dictionary (=small enough to be carried in your pocket) Pocket dictionaries don't always give you enough information.
▪ an electronic dictionary (=small electronic machine containing a dictionary) Electronic dictionaries are very popular in Japan.
▪ a bilingual dictionary (=with translations from one language into another) A bilingual dictionary is an essential purchase for anybody learning a foreign language.
▪ a monolingual dictionary (=written in only one language) Monolingual dictionaries tend to have more examples than bilingual ones.
▪ a picture dictionary (=containing a lot of pictures, especially for children or beginners in a language) The advantage of a picture dictionary is that you don't have lengthy definitions.
▪ an online dictionary (=one you can use on the Internet) There are plenty of online dictionaries available free on the Internet.
▪ an etymological dictionary (=showing the origin and history of words) Etymological dictionaries show how languages borrow words from each other.
■ dictionary + NOUN
▪ a dictionary definition Clear dictionary definitions are what students look for.
▪ a dictionary entry (=the definition and all the other information at a word) The introduction explains the functions of the different parts of a dictionary entry.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
dictionary
dic·tion·ary [dictionary dictionaries] [ˈdɪkʃənri] [ˈdɪkʃəneri] noun (pl. dic·tion·aries)
1. a book that gives a list of the words of a language in alphabetical order and explains what they mean, or gives a word for them in a foreign language
• a Spanish-English dictionary
2. a book that explains the words that are used in a particular subject
• a dictionary of mathematics
3. a list of words in electronic form, for example stored in a computer's spellchecker
Word Origin:
early 16th cent.: from medieval Latin dictionarium (manuale) or dictionarius (liber) ‘manual or book of words’, from Latin dictio, from dicere ‘to say’.
Example Bank:
• I couldn't find the word in the dictionary.
• I decided to consult a medical dictionary.
• If you don't know the meaning of a word, look it up in the dictionary.
• You need a dictionary to understand what he's saying half the time.
• a way of teaching children how to use dictionaries
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
dictionary / ˈdɪk.ʃ ə n. ə r.i / / -er.i / noun [ C ]
A1 a book that contains a list of words in alphabetical order and that explains their meanings, or gives a word for them in another language; a similar product for use on a computer:
a French-English/English-French dictionary
a bilingual/monolingual dictionary
To check how a word is spelled, look it up in a dictionary.
a book that gives information about a particular subject, in which the entries (= words or phrases) are given in alphabetical order:
a biographical/science dictionary
a dictionary of quotations
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
dictionary
/dɪkʃənri, AM -neri/
(dictionaries)
A dictionary is a book in which the words and phrases of a language are listed alphabetically, together with their meanings or their translations in another language.
...a Welsh-English dictionary.
N-COUNT
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
dictionary
dic·tio·nary /ˈdɪkʃəˌneri, Brit ˈdɪkʃənri/ noun, pl -nar·ies [count]
1 : a reference book that contains words listed in alphabetical order and that gives information about the words' meanings, forms, pronunciations, etc.
• an English dictionary
• Look it up in the dictionary.
2 : a reference book that lists in alphabetical order the words of one language and shows their meanings or translations in a different language
• an English-French dictionary
3 : a reference book that lists in alphabetical order words that relate to a particular subject along with their definitions and uses
• a law dictionary
• a dictionary of medicine
