vocabulary

[ voh-kab-yuh-ler-ee ]

noun

, plural vo·cab·u·lar·ies.

1. the stock of words used by or known to a particular people or group of persons:

   His French vocabulary is rather limited. The scientific vocabulary is constantly growing.

2. a list or collection of the words or phrases of a language, technical field, etc., usually arranged in alphabetical order and defined:

   Study the vocabulary in the fourth chapter.

3. the words of a language.
4. any collection of signs or symbols constituting a means or system of nonverbal communication:

   vocabulary of a computer.

5. any more or less specific group of forms characteristic of an artist, a style of art, architecture, or the like.

vocabulary

/ vəˈkæbjʊlərɪ /

noun

1. a listing, either selective or exhaustive, containing the words and phrases of a language, with meanings or translations into another language; glossary
2. the aggregate of words in the use or comprehension of a specified person, class, profession, etc
3. all the words contained in a language
4. a range or system of symbols, qualities, or techniques constituting a means of communication or expression, as any of the arts or crafts

   a wide vocabulary of textures and colours

Other Words From

• vo·cabu·laried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocabulary¹

1525–35; < Medieval Latin vocābulārium, noun use of neuter of vocābulārius of words, equivalent to Latin vocābul ( um ) vocable + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocabulary¹

C16: from Medieval Latin vocābulārium, from vocābulārius concerning words, from Latin vocābulum vocable

Example Sentences

The researchers focused on the proportion of shape-based nouns in children's initial vocabularies.

From Science Daily

The reports began introducing the rhetoric of climate change straight into the heart of the far right’s vocabulary.

From Salon

Trump is now using a very limited vocabulary, lots of what we call "filler words".

From Salon

Billy sees the anguish in her eyes and instead decides to show her something that is not in Agatha’s vocabulary –– mercy.

From Salon

Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” gave her “the vocabulary to describe that helpless impulse to try to protect the people you love from a system that you can’t control.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dictionary
• glossary
• jargon
• terminology