Overview

Dictionaries provide an alphabetical listing of words with their definitions. Unabridged dictionaries contain the most entries. They provide extensive word histories and detailed definitions and are usually found in libraries. College dictionaries are detailed enough to answer most questions and are widely used in homes, schools, and businesses. School dictionaries typically have the fewest entries and emphasize common words.

Dictionaries include proper spelling, definitions, hyphenation into syllables, inflected forms, part or parts of speech, and cross-references to synonyms or antonyms. Many entries also include an etymology, or word derivation, that provides the history of the word. In the back of many dictionaries are special sections that provide biographic information—lists of names of important people with brief details about their lives— and geographic information. There are CD-ROM versions of dictionaries, and you can even access dictionaries on the Internet.

A thesaurus is a special type of dictionary that is a collection of synonyms. You can use a thesaurus to find more precise words for your writing. Thesauruses are also available electronically. Simple to use, thesauruses are organized in the original style developed by Roget or in dictionary form.