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)