(TUD) Lesson Topic 1: Dictionaries and Thesauri Defined
Lesson Topic 1: Dictionaries and Thesauri Defined
What is a Dictionary?
Dictionaries open up a world of knowledge that provides the meanings of words we may have never known. Anytime you read, and you do not know the meaning of a word, the dictionary will come to your rescue. Knowing the definitions, or meanings of words, allows us to make connections and understand the text we read on a deeper level. Dictionaries also reveal what part of speech a word might be (verb, adjective, etc.) and how to pronounce a word. Oftentimes, the dictionary includes what language the word first came from, such as Latin or French.
What is a Thesaurus?
Thesauri (plural for thesaurus) provide the synonyms and antonyms of a certain word. If you have a word in your head that you want to use, a thesaurus can give you several other synonyms—or words that mean the same thing. For example, if you look up pretty in the thesaurus, the synonym beautiful might appear; these two words essentially have the same meaning. On the other hand, the thesaurus often provides the opposite meanings of words, called antonyms, as well.
How do I Use a Dictionary and Thesaurus?
The words in dictionaries and thesauri appear in alphabetical order. If you want to find a definition, synonym, or antonym, just make sure you look for the words in the order they appear in the alphabet.
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