Dictionary

A dictionary is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, often listed alphabetically (or by radical and stroke for ideographic languages), with usage of information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics, pronunciations, translation, and other information; or a book of words in one language with their equivalents in another, also known as a lexicon. It is a lexicographical product designed for utility and function, curated with selected data, presented in a way that shows inter-relationship among the data.

A broad distinction is made between general and specialized dictionaries. Specialized dictionaries do not contain information about words that are used in language for general purposes—words used by ordinary people in everyday situations. Lexical items that describe concepts in specific fields are usually called terms instead of words, although there is no consensus whether lexicology and terminology are two different fields of study. In theory, general dictionaries are supposed to be semasiological, mapping word to definition, while specialized dictionaries are supposed to be onomasiological, first identifying concepts and then establishing the terms used to designate them. In practice, the two approaches are used for both types. There are other types of dictionaries that don't fit neatly in the above distinction, for instance bilingual (translation) dictionaries, dictionaries of synonyms (thesauri), or rhyming dictionaries. The word dictionary (unqualified) is usually understood to refer to a monolingual general-purpose dictionary.

Fictionary

Fictionary, also known as The Dictionary Game or simply Dictionary, is a word game in which players guess the definition of an obscure word. Each round consists of one player selecting and announcing a word from the dictionary, and other players composing a fake definition for it. The definitions are collected by the selector and read aloud, and players vote on which definition they believe to be correct. Points are awarded for correct guesses, and for having a fake definition guessed by another player.

Gameplay

The game requires a large and preferably unabridged dictionary, a pencil, pen or other writing implement for each player, and notecards or identical pieces of paper for each player.

Individual house rules may vary when playing Fictionary, but play usually proceeds like this:

  • One player, the "picker" for the turn, chooses an obscure word from the dictionary and announces and spells it to the other players. The chosen word should be one that the picker expects no other player to know. If a player is familiar with the chosen word, they should say so and the picker should choose a different word. If a word has more than one definition listed, the Picker privately chooses which one to use, but in such a case must specify, "X, when it does not mean so-and-so." Generally, the Picker can edit the dictionary definition as they desire.
  • Dictionary (disambiguation)

    A dictionary is a list of words and their meanings. Dictionary may also refer to:

  • Biographical dictionary
  • Encyclopedic dictionary, sometimes titled Dictionary of... for example
  • Software

  • Data dictionary, a set of metadata that contains definitions and representations of data elements (a read-only set of database tables and database views)
  • Associative array, a specific type of Set (computer science)
  • Dictionary attack, a technique to determine a password
  • Dictionary (software), a dictionary included in Mac OS X v10.4 and later.
  • Dictionary (game), a party game in which the object of the game is be the first player to guess the meaning of an obscure word chosen from a dictionary.
  • Podcasts:

    PLAYLIST TIME:

    Dictionary

    by: Mock Orange

    send me flowers if you caught that look,
    i'm not a dictionary,
    wrapping things up,
    ending evenings,
    i'll get my jacket,
    we made pipe cleaners twisted into hanging from...
    and fell behind,
    i knew you'd be the one to be the one to call me o,
    we were just starting to get it,
    i'm leaving as if it were my brittle finish that gave
    cause to make this,
    it's going,
    with all that's left to see,
    it's all right to be here,
    your face is saying what you never woud take it back from
    me...
    the things you always say,
    movies running,
    a chair to smoke in,
    just stay innocent,




    Latest News for: dictionary

    Decoding 'gigil': One of the new words added to Oxford Dictionary

    The Times of India 28 Mar 2025
    After an entire field day with Ghibli, here comes Gigil!The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added a list of 'untranslatable' words, or those that do not have English equivalents.

    Non-English Words? Oxford English Dictionary's latest additions are from THESE languages

    The Times of India 28 Mar 2025
    Such as the ‘fish head curry’, a fusion dish blending Chinese and South Indian influences, where a fish head is simmered in a tamarind-based curry, and steamboat, a communal dining experience where ...

    From 'alamak' to 'nasi lemak': Oxford English Dictionary welcomes Malaysian and Singaporean words

    The Star 27 Mar 2025
    PETALING JAYA. Oxford Languages, a part of Oxford University Press, announces its latest Oxford English Dictionary (OED) update, consisting of "untranslatable words" from Malaysia and Singapore. Read full story ... .

    Alamak!: ‘Kaya toast’, ‘tapau’ and ‘nasi lemak’ added to Oxford English Dictionary

    Straits Times 27 Mar 2025
    They are among untranslatable words from Singapore and Malaysia that made it into the newest edition ....

    Gigil, alamak among new words in Oxford English Dictionary

    BBC News 27 Mar 2025
    The Oxford English Dictionary has added new untranslatable words from South East Asia. .

    Replace Your ‘Aw, So Cute’ And ‘Ew, So Gross’ With These New Words In Oxford Dictionary

    News18 27 Mar 2025
    Gigil (pronounced ghee-gill) has become part of a list of "untranslatable" words- those that do not have English equivalents- as it was added to the Oxford English Dictionary ... .

    How the Irish ‘spice bag’ became worthy of inclusion in the Oxford English Dictionary

    The Irish Times 27 Mar 2025
    The addition of the spice bag to the most recent update of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) signals official recognition at last for the fast food staple people in Ireland have been enjoying for nearly 20 years ... READ MORE ... .

    12 words in Malaysia, Singapore-style English enter Oxford dictionary

    South China Morning Post 27 Mar 2025
    Food names form the bulk of additions, but other notables include the Malay expression ‘alamak’ and a colloquial meaning for the word ‘terror’ ... .

    ‘Untranslatable’ Irish, Filipino and Malaysian words added to Oxford English Dictionary

    The Independent 27 Mar 2025
    Several world foods including otak-otak, lumpia and spice bag make the list .

    Popular Chinese takeaway menu item added to Oxford English dictionary

    Daily Record 27 Mar 2025
    The delicacy is growing in popularity in Scotland but has already bagged an official definition ... .

    Gigil, alamak among new words added to Oxford Dictionary

    Urdu Point 27 Mar 2025
    <p>LONDON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Mar, 2025) Gigil, a Philippine word has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), describing the intense feeling that comes over ...

    ‘Gigil makes it to Oxford Dictionary

    Manila Standard 27 Mar 2025
    The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added “gigil,” a word encapsulating a complex blend of emotions, to its esteemed pages this March, marking a significant moment for Philippine English.- Advertisement -.
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