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

From Salon

The girl, who is from Mparntwe or Alice Springs, also uses vocabulary from the Gamilaraay people of NSW and Queensland, which Ms Davis said showed "complete disregard for the vast differences among First Nations languages, cultures, and practices".

From BBC

“I hated books. Now I love reading books and read all the time,” the singer says, then adds with a laugh, “Before, my God, I only had like 20 words in my vocabulary. Now I’ve got at least a hundred, so that helps. I love the riddles of phrasing and trying to get phrasing in a different kind of puzzle-y way.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• dictionary
• glossary
• jargon
• terminology