Using the DictionaryGuide 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) What are the guide words for: study

b) 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: (skōōl)

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