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1 / 7 How to Use a Dictionary

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Of the approximately大约，近似地 1 million words in the English language,

the average English speaker knows 60,000 of those words,[1] A dictionary can

be a very handy tool. Besides helping with spelling and word meanings, being

able to use a dictionary effectively and regularly is a perfect way to improve

your English language skills through the dictionary's range of other helpful

information on everyday language usage and grammar. This article will explain

how to make the most of using your dictionary.

EditSteps

Dictionary Help

Sample Dictionary Definitions . . . .

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Sample Vocabulary Activities

Using a Dictionary

Keep a good dictionary near where you study, work, or read

 Purchase购买 a quality dictionary. If you don't already own a good

dictionary, consider purchasing one during sale time. It's also a good

idea to upgrade升级 your dictionary every now and then so that you have

access to the latest new words that are added to the dictionary every year.

Consider purchasing specialist dictionaries if they'd be useful in your

study or career. Some examples of specialist dictionaries include language

dictionaries, technical dictionaries, rhymes押韵, crossword纵横字谜,

subject dictionaries (for example, for math, chemistry, biology,

horticulture, etc.), illustrated图解的 dictionaries (excellent for

learning another language or for technical knowledge), slang and idioms, etc.

Note that many countries have their own native dictionaries that might

be more helpful than sourcing a dictionary from just anywhere, such as the

Macquarie dictionary in Australia, Oxford dictionary in England, Webster's . . . .

3 / 7 dictionary in the United States, etc.

Some

schools, universities and workplaces prefer the use of one

particular dictionary. This

is for reasons of maintaining a consistent style

and understanding among everyone using them; make sure you use the right one

for your assignments, editing, and reports.

 Familiarize yourself with your dictionary. Dictionaries vary in

approach. The best way to learn how to use your particular dictionary

effectively is to read its introductory section where you'll find out how

the entries条目 are arranged. The introductory section of your

dictionary will explain important information such as the abbreviations缩写词 and pronunciation symbols used throughout the entries. There may

also be information on pronunciation of words with similar spellings; this

can be helpful if you have only heard a word and you're not sure of its

spelling. For example, if you hear "not", it might also be "knot" but the

"k" is silent, and this list can help you with suggestions.

Know how to look up a word.

 Know how to look up a word. When you come across a word you don't

recognize or know the meaning of, keep a note of it. When you get around

to looking it up, here is the sequence顺序 to follow:

Proceed to the letter of the alphabet 字母表that your word begins with.

For example, "dog" begins with "d". Don't forget the possible spellings for

trickier 棘手的words, such as "gnome土地神" begins with a "g", or

"psychology" begins with a "p", or "knock" begins with a "k", etc.

Check for the guide words. These are located in the upper corner of each

page and give you an indication of how close you are to locating your word,

speeding up the process of going through the pages.

Once close, use the second letter of your word to run down the page and

locate your word. For example, if you were looking for the word "futile", . . . .

4 / 7 "u" is the second letter. Perhaps you will see "furrow/futtock" in the upper

left corner of the left page and "futtock plate/gaberlunzie" in the upper

right corner of the right page. Now you know that "futile" is going to be

located on one of these two pages.

Scan down the list of entry words moving past "Furry" and "Fuse" and "Fuss".

Since the example word begins with "Fut", go past all the "Fur" and all the

"Fus" words alphabetically until you reach the "FUT" area of the page. In

this example, move right down through "Fut" and "Futhark" and this is at last,

where you will find "futile".

 Know how

to make the most of your find. Once you've located the word,

there are several useful elements要素 that you can discover about the

word from the dictionary entry. Read the information given about this

entry, and depending on your dictionary, you might find many things:

A definition of the word.

One or more pronunciations. Look for a pronunciation key near the

beginning of the dictionary to help you interpret解释 the written