What reference book contains words that can be used in place of another word?

Using Reference Sources  

As you go through school, you will need to use reference sources to find information about topics, locate facts, and answer questions. Here are five types of reference sources you should use. Each type is available in print forms, on CD-ROMs, and on the Internet.

1. Dictionary
   A dictionary provides information about the meaning, pronunciation, and spelling of words. Unabridged dictionaries attempt to be complete by including all words currently in use in a language. They provide extensive information about the words included. Abridged dictionaries omit words that do not regularly appear in books, magazines, and newspapers. Specialized dictionaries provide detailed information about the words that apply to a particular subject such as space, math, biology, psychology, and many more. They include technical words that are rarely used outside of the subject.
2. Thesaurus
   A thesaurus contains synonyms for commonly used words. A synonym is a word that has the same meaning or nearly the same meaning as another word. For example, "simple" is a synonym for "easy." A thesaurus contains many more synonyms for a word than does a dictionary. A thesaurus can help you precisely express your ideas when writing.
3. Encyclopedia
   An encyclopedia contains articles on a variety of subjects. The articles are written by experts on each of the subjects. In addition to articles, encyclopedias may include illustrations and diagrams, definitions of some words, and references to additional information. A general encyclopedia includes overview articles on a wide range of topics. A subject encyclopedia contains longer and more detailed articles on specific topics, events, or fields of study.
4. Almanac
   An almanac is an annual single-volume reference source that contains useful facts about a wide range of topics. You can learn about countries of the world, government, historical events, and many other topics. Because almanacs are revised each year, the information is current.

5. Atlas
   An atlas is a collection of maps. The most common atlas contains maps that show the political and physical features of countries throughout the world. A political map shows government boundaries. A physical map shows the features of the earth's surface such as mountains, deserts, and bodies of water. You may also use a road map to learn how to get from place to place. There are also specialized atlases for such things as weather across the world, oceans of the world, and even the anatomy of the human body.

Wherever you study, be sure you have access to each of these important reference sources.

Search more than 275,000 synonyms, antonyms, related words, and idiomatic phrases. The thesaurus is more than just a list of synonyms; it is your guide to more precise and effective use of language.

1

a

: a book of words or of information about a particular field or set of concepts

especially : a book of words and their synonyms

b

: a list of subject headings or descriptors usually with a cross-reference system for use in the organization of a collection of documents for reference and retrieval

Did you know?

In the early 19th century, archaeologists borrowed the Latin word thesaurus to denote an ancient treasury, such as that in a temple. Soon after, the word was metaphorically applied to a book containing a treasury of words or information about a particular field. In 1852, the English scholar Peter Mark Roget published his Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases, in which he listed a treasury of semantically related words organized into numerous categories. This work led to the common acceptance of the term thesaurus to refer to "a book of words and their synonyms." The word developed another meaning in the 1950s, when thesaurus began being used in the field of word processing to refer to a list of related terms used for indexing and retrieval.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web So why does this paper seem to have been co-written by a thesaurus? —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2021 Joniak might need a thesaurus as Justin Fields’ career takes flight for the Bears. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2022 After Jokic scorched the Spurs again in October for 32 points and 16 rebounds in a 102-96 Nuggets win in Denver, coach Gregg Popovich exhausted his thesaurus describing the 26-year-old’s greatness. —Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Dec. 2021 Over-the-top rhetoric that sounds as if someone locked Kiley in a room with a thesaurus, but doesn’t really conform to what even Newsom’s critics think of his performance. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2021 Books, including a thesaurus so tattered from use that back when there were regular tours of the newsroom, the tour guide would show it to visitors. —Karina Bland, The Arizona Republic, 23 June 2021 Synonymy—the concept of distinct words signifying the same thing—was understood as far back as Ancient Greece, but the Archbishop of Seville authored the earliest work modern readers might recognize as a thesaurus. —Claudia Kalb, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2021 Spending meaningful time with a thesaurus while also seeking out professional branding identity experts is advisable. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 Grab your thesaurus and look up another word for bad, another word for tragic. —Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star, 13 Apr. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thesaurus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, treasure, collection, from Greek thēsauros

First Known Use

circa 1823, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of thesaurus was circa 1823

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Dictionary Entries Near thesaurus

Cite this Entry

“Thesaurus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thesaurus. Accessed 2 Jan. 2023.

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Last Updated: 1 Jan 2023 - Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

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