Using A Dictionary

Using a Dictionary Effectively

Using Dictionaries Effectively to Obtain the Meaning and Spelling of Words

Use dictionaries effectively for obtaining meanings and spellings of words

Dictionary is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, often arranged in alphabetical order. We often use dictionaries to look up difficult words; when we do not know the meaning of a word. Dictionaries are organised to help us look up words easily.

For example, to look up the word ‘dormitory’ in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 2005, do the following:

1. Find the section for letter D, it starts on page 336.
2. Go through the pages of letter D slowly, as you turn the page look at the word written at the top of each page.
3. Study the word, noting the alphabetical order. For example: page 369 has “dark” which starts with DA, Page 406 has “dig” which starts with DI; Page 430 has DO.

Finally, we reach page 436 which has “doormat.” On this page, in the right hand column the 7^thentry is dormitory.

Each word defined in the dictionary is called a Head word. Head words are written in bold or using a different colour. They are followed by information about the word. Dictionaries show the pronunciation and meaning of a word. They also show how the word is used and give examples of sentences using a word; in some cases the plural form is given.

Abbreviation words

• N-noun
• V- Verb
• Pt- past tense
• Pl -plural
• Sign- singular
• C –countable
• Un-uncountable
• Prep-preposition
• BrE-British English
• AmE-American English
• Sth-something
• Conj-conjunction

In the chart below, read the words carefully and look them up in your dictionary and write down their meaning.

Activity 1

Listen to your teacher saying these words: