Quick Help: Dictionary information
Quick Help: Dictionary information
Dictionary information
Here are the kinds of information dictionaries may give about a word:
Spelling
Syllable divisions or
syllabification
, usually indicated by a dot:
let·ter
Pronunciation, including common alternate pronunciations. Online dictionaries often provide audio links that allow you to hear the pronunciation.
Parts of speech
. Many words can be used as more than one part of speech; for instance,
sign
can be either a noun or a verb.
Other forms of the word
Idiomatic uses and phrasal verbs
Usage notes
The languages the word comes from, known as
etymology
Field labels that indicate how a word is used in a particular discipline or profession
Synonyms (words with the same or similar meanings)