Use dictionary entries

8th X.3 Use Dictionary Entries by Delta publications

Key Notes :

What is a Dictionary Entry?

A dictionary entry is a detailed description of a word found in a dictionary. It’s like a treasure map that gives you all sorts of information about a word, including its meaning, pronunciation, part of speech, and origin. Think of it as a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about a word!

Anatomy of a Dictionary Entry

Let’s break down the different parts of a dictionary entry:

  • Entry Word: The word itself (e.g., happy).
  • Pronunciation: How to say the word correctly (e.g., ˈhapē). This often uses phonetic symbols.
  • Part of Speech: What type of word it is (e.g., noun, verb, adjective, adverb).
  • Definition: The meaning of the word. Some words have multiple definitions!
  • Example Sentence: Shows how the word is used in a sentence. Helps you understand the word’s meaning in context.
  • Etymology: The origin and history of the word. Where did it come from?
  • Synonyms/Antonyms: Words that have similar or opposite meanings.
  • Find the word: Dictionaries are organized alphabetically, so find your word.
  • Check the pronunciation: Pay attention to the phonetic symbols. Many dictionaries have a pronunciation guide at the beginning.
  • Identify the part of speech: Is it a noun, verb, adjective, etc.? This will help you understand how to use it in a sentence.
  • Read the definition(s): Choose the definition that best fits the context of what you are reading or writing. Words can have multiple meanings!
  • Examine the example sentence: This shows you how the word is used correctly.
  • Explore synonyms and antonyms: This helps you expand your vocabulary.
Why are Dictionary Entries Important?

Using dictionary entries effectively is super important because they:

  • Improve your vocabulary: By learning new words and their meanings.
  • Enhance your reading comprehension: By understanding the meaning of unfamiliar words.
  • Improve your writing: By using words correctly and effectively.
  • Help you pronounce words correctly: Avoiding mispronunciations.
  • Expand your knowledge: By learning about the origins of words.
  • Help you choose the correct word: By understanding subtle differences in meaning.
Examples

Let’s look at a simplified example for the word ‘optimistic’:

optimistic ( op·ti·mis·tik ) adjective

  1. Having or showing a hopeful feeling about the future.

Example: She is optimistic about her chances of winning.

Synonyms: hopeful, positive, cheerful

This entry tells us ‘optimistic’ is an adjective, how to (roughly) pronounce it, what it means, gives an example, and suggests synonyms.

Simple Exercises

Let’s put your dictionary skills to the test!

  1. Find the word ‘benevolent’ in a dictionary. What does it mean? What part of speech is it? Write a sentence using the word.
  2. Look up the word ‘elated’. What are some synonyms for ‘elated’?
  3. What is the pronunciation of the word ‘chaos’?
  4. Find the etymology of the word ‘science’. Where does it come from?
  5. Choose any word you don’t know. Find it in the dictionary. Write down its definition, part of speech, and an example sentence.
Next Steps

Now that you know how to read and use dictionary entries, practice using a dictionary regularly! The more you use it, the better you’ll become at understanding and using new words. Happy dictionary diving!

Let’s practice!