How to Use a Dictionary

Step 1: When to use a dictionary

When you are unsure of a words meaning To check spellingTo find other definitionsTo find a words originTo find similar or different words (synonyms & antonyms)To find other grammatical informationTo find out how to say a word

HomeClick for sound whenever you see this! A Closer Look at How to Look Up Words in a Dictionaryby Discovery Education

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Step 2: How to look up a wordWords are listed alphabetically.

The words on the top of each page are guide words. All of the words on the page will be listed alphabetically between the two guide words.

For example, the guidewords are cat and crouch, all of the words on this page are words that come after cat alphabetically, but before crouch!

CatCrouchCat- noun, (kat) a small domesticated animalCobweb noun, (kob-web) a web spun by a spider to entrap its preyClutter verb, (kluht-er) to fill with things in a disorderly manner; noun, a messCog - noun, (kog) a gear tooth

Colt noun, (kohlt) a male horse or ponyCoat noun, (koht) an outergarment with sleevesCrouch verb (krouch) to stoop or bend lowDictionary

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4Step 3: Whats in the entry(click on each yellow question mark)Clutter - [kluht-er] Verb: to fill or litter with things in a disorderly manner: All kinds of papers cluttered thetop of his desk.

Noun: a disorderly heap or mess; litter: It's impossible to find anything in all this clutter.

Origin: 155060; variant of clotter (now obsolete).

Synonyms: mess, disorder, jumble.

Antonyms: organized, neat.

Dictionary

This tells you how to say the word. This is the words part of speech. Clutter can be a verb or a noun.This is the definition for the verb clutter: to fill or litter with things in a disorderly manner. An example of the word clutter used in a sentence is also given: All kinds of papers cluttered the top of his desk.Clutter can also be a noun. Here is the definition for the noun clutter.This is the words origin. Clutter originated between 1550 and 1560.These are synonyms (words that are similar) and antonyms (words that are opposite) to the word clutter.Home

6The Story of the Three Little Pigsby Unknown

The first that went off met a Man with a bundle of straw, and said to him, "Please, Man, give me that straw to build me a house"; which the Man did, and the little Pig built a house with it. Presently came along a Wolf, and knocked at the door, and said, "Little Pig, little Pig, let me come in."To which the Pig answered, "No, not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."

Im not sure what bundle means. Lets check the dictionary. While were there, lets find out all we can about the word bundle.

Step 5: Putting it all together

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HomeFirst, we have to look up the word bundle in the dictionary. Remember how to do that? Look at the guidewords at the top of the page to find words that start with b-u-n .After you find bundle, look at the entry. What do you see?Bundle - [buhn-dl] Noun: several objects or a quantity of material gathered or bound together: A bundle of hay.

Verb: to tie together or wrap in a pile: Bundle the newspapers for the trash man.

Origin: 13501400; Middle English bundel.

Synonyms: (part of speech, noun) bunch, pile, pack, heap, assortment.

Antonyms: (part of speech, verb) disperse, scatter, spread, divide.

1. How to say the word.3. The definition and how its used in a sentence.2. The part of speech.4. Another definition.5. Origin.6. Synonyms & antonyms.Step 5: Putting it all together

Add narration9Now youve got it!Keep a dictionary handy and use it when reading and writing, or just to satisfy your curiosity for new words!

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Step 4: The definition: check it in the text

After youve looked up a word, make sure you understand its meaning in the text youre reading! Many words have more than one definition. Which one is the one you were looking for? Check the definitions against the text! Which definition makes sense? Do you have a better understanding of the word now?Suppose we read the sentence, I like to coat my cookies in milk. If we look in the dictionary, there are two definitions for the word coat:

The first definition is a noun which means an outer garment or jacket. The second definition is for the verb coat which means to cover.

Which definition is correct for the sentence above? 1 or 2?This definition means to cover. I like to cover my cookies in milk. That sounds right!HomeThis definition means an outer garment or jacket. I like to jacket my cookies in milk. That doesnt sound right. Lets try the second definition.

Add click a number bubble or note to indicate that 1 and 2 are clickable.7