Using the DICTIONARY If you are unable to understand the meaning of an unfamiliar word by using

context clues, then you should look up the word in a dictionary. Here are tips for proper dictionary usage.
 Look at the preface and notes in your dictionary. The preface contains explanations about the various
symbols and abbreviations. Find out what your dictionary has to offer.
 Good dictionaries include all known definitions of a word. When you are looking up a word, do not stop
after you have read the first meaning! Keep reading, and look for the meaning that best fits the context
of your sentence.
 If the difficult word has a prefix such as un-- or mis, you may have to look up the root word.
Other Important Entry Elements
1.1. Guide Words The words listed in a dictionary are listed in alphabetical order, letter by letter. Pairs
of guide words are usually at the top of each set of facing pages. Guide words list the first and last
defined word to appear on a page (or facing pages).Using guide words help you quickly locate the word
you seek. If the guide words on facing pages are symbolic and sympathy, you will have to turn to the
next page to find symphonic.
1.2. Main/Word Entries - are the words that are explained in a dictionary. These words appear in
boldface (dark) type. Main entries may be single words, compound words, abbreviations, affixes, or
phrases.
1.3. Parts of Speech- The dictionary uses nine abbreviations for the parts of speech.
n. noun v.t. transitive verb adj. adjective
pron. pronoun interj. Interjection adv. adverb
v.i. intransitive verb conj. Conjunction prep. Preposition
1.4. Restrictive labels- Subject labels tell you that a word has a special meaning when used in a
particular field ( mus. for music, med. for medicine, zool. for zoology, etc. ) Usage labels tell you how a
word is used (slang, colloq, for colloquial, dial. for dialect, etc.) Geographic labels tell you in which
region of the country (N.E. for New England, West, South, etc.) the definition applies.
1.5. Spelling- Not knowing how to spell a word can make it difficult to find in the dictionary, but not
impossible. You will be surprised at how quickly you can find most words by following the sounded-out
spelling. 6
1.6 Illustrative Sentence- an example sentence that clarifies the usage of a word
1.7 Pronunciation- / (prəˌnʌnsɪˈeɪʃən) / the act, instance, or manner of pronouncing sounds.
1.8 Related forms- dictionary form (plural dictionary forms) The basic form of a word used as a
dictionary entry (of any part of speech, but especially of a verb).
1.9 Etymology- the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning.
Using the THESAURUS The best place to look for synonyms and antonyms is the thesaurus. A
thesaurus is, in a sense, the opposite of a dictionary. You go to a dictionary when you know the word but need
the definition. You go to a thesaurus when you know the definition but need the word. For example, you might
want a word that means fear, the kind of fear that causes more worry than pain. You need the word to
complete the following sentence:
Ginny experienced a certain amount of (fear) over the upcoming exam.
The thesaurus comes in two forms: Dictionary Form and Traditional Form. If it is in dictionary form, you
simply look up the word fear as you would in a dictionary. If, however, you have a traditional thesaurus, you
need to first look up the word in the alphabetical INDEX at the back of the thesaurus. You might find this entry
for fear in the index.
FEAR 860
Fearful painful 830
timid 862
The numbers after fear are GUIDE NUMBERS, not page numbers. If you look up number 860 in the
body of the thesaurus, you will find a long list of synonyms for the word fear: These include fearfulness,
timidity, diffidence, apprehensiveness, solicitude, anxiety, mistrust, suspicion, and qualm.

So, instead of using the word “fear,” the sentence becomes more appropriate by using a
synonymous word:
Ginny experienced a certain amount of anxiety over the upcoming exam.
Using the INTERNET The internet provides many different types of information. Besides the dictionary
and a thesaurus, definitions of terms may also be searched via the World Wide Web. Moreover, those who
have smartphones may download mobile dictionary apps, such as Merriam-Webster and Oxford Dictionary of
English.
Seatwork 1: Make a dictionary and thesaurus entry using the definitions below.
DICTIONARY
1. flat
2. n. guide word guide word
3. /flǽt
4. [countable] word entry /pronunciation/part of speech
5. (British English) a set of rooms for 1. [restrictive labels] word meaning
living in, usually on one floor of a
building  Illustrative sentence
6. Countable, usually plural 2. word meaning
7. They’re renting a furnished flat on

the third floor.
- related forms
8. [Middle English: form Old Norse
[etymology]
flatr.]
9. -v. flatted. flatting, flats
10. an area of low flat land, especially near water
11. flamy
12. flaw
THESAURUS
1. fear guide word guide word
2. noun
3. the emotion experienced in the word entry part of speech
presence of threat and danger
4. fawn 1. word meaning
5. feat
6. anxiety, concern, despair synonyms
7. assurance, calmness, cheer
8. dismay, doubt, dread
9. horror, jitters, panic antonyms
10. confidence, contentment, ease
11. faith, happiness, joy
12. scare, suspicion, terror
13. trust, calm, comfort, like
14. terror, unease, uneasiness, worry
Quiz 1: Parts of a Dictionary Entry Direction: Determine the part of a dictionary entry by using the jumbled
letters of the term and the provided meaning. You may also use dictionary from online sources or mobile
applications to accomplish this activity.
1. An TRENY WORD, listed alphabetically, shows how a word is spelled and how words of more than one
syllable is divided.
2. The CIAROPNOITNUN has symbols to show how to say the words.
3. A TRAP-OF-SCHEEP label gives the function or functions of a word.
4. LATERED FORMS, such as plurals, or the comparative forms are often given.
5. ULTIMPLE DEFINITIONS or meanings are numbered.
6. An ILLUSTIVERAT SENTENCE or phrase shows how a word is used.
7. An EMOTYLOGY, or word history, tells the origin of a word.
8. An ENTACC shows which syllables are said with special force.
9. Sometimes a MYSYNON STUDY shows shades of meaning.
10. A MOGRAPHHO is spelled the same as another word but has a different origin and meaning.

Quiz 2: Using a Thesaurus Direction: Use a thesaurus to help you circle out the correct synonym to complete
each sentence. You may also use thesaurus from online sources or mobile applications to accomplish this
activity.
1. Raf looks (orderly, trim) in his new suit.
2. Her booth at the hobby show is very (tidy, trim).
3. She swept it out, and it is (trim, shipshape).
4. He arranged the items to appear (orderly, trim).
5. He put his stamps in (neat, shipshape) rows.
6. Rolf is (shipshape, orderly) about everything.
7. Her room is always (shipshape, trim) too.
8. Even his old hat looks (trim, orderly) on him.
9. I rarely look (shipshape, trim) in my clothes.
10. I wish I were as (shipshape, tidy) as Raf.
11. I could become more (orderly, shipshape) by organizing my work.