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What is a dictionary?

A dictionary is a list of words or phrases and their definitions (what they mean).

Dictionaries are arranged in alphabetical order.

They help you to spell or understand any new words, so are a fantastic tool to use to improve your English skills.

Watch: What is alphabetical order?

How to use a dictionary

In an English dictionary you'll find words beginning with 'a' at the front and 'z' at the back.

There are lots of words in the English language which begin with 'a' so it's not just the first letter that is important.

Words are organised alphabetically according to the following letters in a word too.

For example, ‘dog’ will come before ‘dolly’’.

The first two letters of both words are the same (‘d’ and ‘o’); however, the third letters are different (‘g’ and ‘l’).

The letter ‘g’ comes before ‘l’ in the alphabet, so you'll find ‘dog’ before ‘dolly’ in the dictionary.

Watch: Dictionaries

Activity 1

Drag the words so they are in alphabetical order.

Activity 2

Fill in the gaps in the sentences about dictionaries.

Activity 3

Choose three of the following words and then look them up in a dictionary or online dictionary.

• neighbour
• sleigh
• obey
• complain
• unearth
• prey

For each word you need to write down:

1. The word (eg. happy)
2. The word type (eg. adjective)
3. A definition of the word (eg. delighted, pleased or glad)
4. An example of the word used in a sentence (eg. I was so happy to see my best friend.)