Dictionaries are the most commonly found book in American households. It is estimated, in fact, that the average family has more than one. While it may not be read or referenced as frequently as the second most commonly held book in America, the Bible, dictionaries are clearly beloved by readers and non-readers alike. Dictionaries come in varying sizes and for all range of budgets. From the simple, economic, pocket editions that are popular with students and travelers to the voluminous versions that incorporate the history of words, there is a dictionary for everyone. The number of entries will vary depending on the size of the dictionary, of course, but even the smallest versions are quite thorough. Most speakers of the English language only use a small fraction of all the words available. While that small fraction makes up commonly shared words, we regularly encounter words we are either not familiar with, or whose meanings are unclear. An excellent vocabulary-expanding habit to begin is looking up unfamiliar words found in books or the newspaper, and attempting to work them into your speech patterns. Besides the definitions of words, dictionaries will often contain brief biographical information about historical figures, such as past presidents. They may also contain synonyms and antonyms in their definitions, room permitting. Finally, one of the best features in a dictionary definition is the use of the word in context. Little else can help explain meaning as well as a focused example. |
