Components of a dictionary entry

In a dictionary entry, which component is the word being defined, usually shown in bold?

• The pronunciation

• The headword

• The definition

• The part of speech

Answer explanation

The headword is the main word listed at the beginning of a dictionary entry that all the other information describes. The other options are different components of the entry.

Match each dictionary abbreviation to the part of speech it represents.

• Noun (a person, place, or thing)

• v.

• Adjective (a word that describes a noun)

• n.

• Verb (an action or state of being)

• adj.

Answer explanation

Dictionaries use standard abbreviations to save space. 'n.' stands for noun, 'v.' for verb, and 'adj.' for adjective, each indicating a word's grammatical function.

Read the sentence: "The director will conduct auditions for the school play." Which definition of conduct is being used?

• The way a person behaves

• To lead or guide a performance

• A material that allows heat to pass through

• To carry something from one place to another

Answer explanation

In this context, 'conduct' is a verb meaning to lead or manage an event like an audition. The other options refer to different meanings of 'conduct' or related words.

Look at the pronunciation for giggle (/ˈɡɪɡ.əl/). Sort the parts of the pronunciation guide into the correct categories: What It Shows or What It Is.

Groups:

(a) Shows the stressed syllable

,

(b) Represents the sounds in the word

• əl

• ˈ

• ɡɪɡ

Answer explanation

The symbol 'ˈ' is a stress mark, indicating which syllable is said with more force. The other symbols (/ɡɪɡ/ and /əl/) are phonetic symbols representing the actual sounds in the word.

The word record can be a noun or a verb. In which sentence is record used as a noun?

• Please record your answer on the sheet.

• She hopes to break the world record.

• Did you record the show for me?

• I will record my thoughts in a journal.

Answer explanation

In this sentence, 'record' is a thing (the highest achievement), making it a noun. In the other sentences, 'record' is an action (to write down or capture), making it a verb.

Match each dictionary component to its primary function.

• Shows how to say the word

• Headword

• Explains the meaning of the word

• Pronunciation

• The word being explained

• Definition

Answer explanation

Each component of a dictionary entry has a specific job: the headword identifies the word, the pronunciation shows how it sounds, and the definition explains what it means.

In a dictionary entry, what is the main purpose of the symbols found in parentheses, like /năv′ĭ-gāt′/?

• To show the word's origin

• To list synonyms for the word

• To provide a guide for how to pronounce the word

• To indicate the word's part of speech

Answer explanation

The phonetic symbols in a pronunciation guide are designed to show the correct sounds and stress patterns for saying a word out loud.

A dictionary shows that the word frequent can be a verb or an adjective. Sort the sentences into categories based on which part of speech is used: Adjective or Verb.

Groups:

(a) Adjective (describes a noun)

,

(b) Verb (shows an action)

• We made frequent stops for gas.

• Do you frequent this cafe?

• He began to frequent the library.

• That is a frequent mistake.

Answer explanation

As an adjective, 'frequent' describes something that happens often (frequent stops, frequent mistake). As a verb, 'frequent' means to visit a place often.

You are writing a story and are unsure how to spell a word. Which part of a dictionary entry would be most helpful to check?

• The definition

• The pronunciation guide

• The part of speech

• The headword

Answer explanation

The headword shows the correct, standard spelling of a word, making it the first place to look to verify spelling.

The word object has multiple meanings. Match each sentence to the correct definition of object being used.

• (v.) to express disapproval or disagreement

• I object to your unfair accusation!

• (n.) a goal or purpose

• The mysterious object fell from the sky.

• (n.) a physical thing that can be seen or touched

• The object of the game is to score points.

Answer explanation

The meaning of 'object' changes based on context and part of speech. It can be a noun meaning a 'thing' or a 'goal', or a verb meaning 'to disagree'.