Dictionary Entry

How to Use A Dictionary

Because the Wi-Fi can fail, and phones can run out of battery,
but the dictionary will always be there for you.

It is a book or electronic resource that lists the words of a language (typically in alphabetical order) and gives their meaning, or the equivalent words in a different language, often also providing information about pronunciation, origin, and usage.

​

What is a dictionary?

Why do we use a dictionary?

• Definition or word meaning

• Translation

• Synonyms and Antonyms

• Pronunciation

• Syllable count

• How to use word in a sentence

• Part of speech

• Origins or root

Fill in the Blank

What part of the dictionary entry is this:

sight \sīt\

Multiple Choice

A dictionary is a book that contains all the words in a language and their definitions. Words in a dictionary are organized alphabetically: A to Z. You would find the word "abacus" near the beginning of a dictionary. You would find the word "zucchini" close to the end.

Which of these words would you find closest to the first page in a dictionary?

• unruly

• terrain

• designate

• ingenious

Multiple Select

What are "guide words" in a dictionary?

Hint: there are TWO right answers.

• words that are in bold before each definition

• words at the top corners of each page

• root words that you will find on the page

• they tell you the first and last word on the page

• words that are listed as adjectives to the words on the page

Multiple Choice

How are words organized in a dictionary?

• alphabetical, by letter.

• in the order they were created.

• with larger words in the front of the book and smaller words at the end.

• smallest to largest words.

What is alphabetical order?

Alphabetical order is the way we organize letters

Not So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!

Multiple Choice

Put these words in ABC order?
bud, budge, browse, bubble

• bud, budge, browse, bubble
• bubble, browse, budge, bud
• browse, bubble, bud, budge
• bubble, browse, budge, bud

Multiple Select

Which letter comes BEFORE the letter "M"?

• L

• O

Multiple Select

Which letter comes BEFORE the letter "K"?

• H

• L

Multiple Select

Which letter comes AFTER the letter "P"?

• M

• Q

Not So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!

Not So Wimpy Teacher strikes again!

Multiple Choice

What does the letter n symbolize to the right of the word clout in the photo?

(You can click on the picture to see it up close)

• the type of speech clout is (n means noun)

• an alternate way to spell the first letter in clout

  (the c can be replaced with the letter n)

• The correct way to pronounce the word clout

• the words at the top of the page

Multiple Choice

What part of a dictionary entry is circled?

• Definition

• Example

• Part of speech

• Pronunciation

Multiple Select

What do you use a dictionary for? (Check ALL that apply)

• spelling

• meaning

• synonyms

• pronunciation

Multiple Choice

Refer to the dictionary entry in the photo: Which sentence correctly uses the first definition of obstruct?

• The terrorists' plan was obstructed by the witness's report.

• The snowbanks completely obstructed the roads in and out of our neighborhood.

• We expected an ocean view, but our view of the beach was obstructed by the construction crane.

• An emergency meeting of the basketball team obstructed our ability to get practice over with early.

Multiple Choice

Refer to the dictionary entry in the photo: From what language does the word contour originate?

• English

• French

• American

• Latin

Multiple Choice

Why do we use a dictionary?

• To find a meaning.

• To see how a word is correctly spelled and pronounced.

• See what part of speech the word is.

• All of them!

It all begins with an entry word

The entry word is the word you will be looking up in the dictionary. The words in the dictionary are in alphabetical order, so remember your ABCs!

These are words at the top of the page that help guide you. There might be one, which would indicate the first definition on the page, or two, indicating the first and last definition on the page.

​

Guide words

Look for pages containing the letter your entry word begins with.

​

A, R, or T?

After finding the letter, and looking at the guide words, look for the entry word in the page.

​

Look for your word!

Multiple Choice

The word you are going to look up in the dictionary is known as the _________ word.

• entry

• guide

• alphabetical

• common

Let's get lookin'!

Multiple Choice

Lisa lives in a pastoral setting.

Using the definition and synonyms of pastoral in the dictionary, you know that Lisa lives in a ____________ setting.

• colorful

• city

• frightening

• country