Using the Dictionary

Guide words Entry word Syllabification Pronunciation Parts of speech Origin or history of the word The definition Synonyms and antonyms

1. Guide words

• Words found on top of the page (left and right) to indicate which words are found on that page.

a) b) What are the guide words for:

study

What are the guide words for:

teacher

2. Entry word

• It is the word itself in bold print and divided into syllables.

3. Syllabification

• Word divided into syllables by dots (in most dictionaries). Be careful not to confuse dots with hyphens.

- fes ● ti ● vi ● ty : dots for division of syllables - Fleur-de-lis: hyphens to show a compound word

4. Pronunciation

• The way the word should be pronounced. You can find the sounds for each symbol at the beginning of the dictionary, under pronunciation key.

- flipper: (flĭp΄әr) - school: (skōō l)

5. Parts of speech

• This is found after the pronunciation.

- noun, n.

- pronoun, pron.

- verb, v.

- adjective, adj.

- adverb, adv.

- conjunction, conj.

- preposition, prep.

- interjection, inter.

6. Origin or history of the word

• • • • • • [OFr.] – Old French [OE] – Old English [Lat.] – Latin [Gk.] – Greek [Am. E.] – American English [Can. Fr.] – Canadian French

7. The definition

• The meaning of the word itself. Be careful, some words can have more than one meaning.

Example: bat

8. Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonym, syn. – same Ex. beautiful = attractive • Antonym, ant. – opposite Ex. sweet ≠ sour