vocabulary

American  

[voh-kab-yuh-ler-ee] / voʊˈkæb yəˌlɛr i /

noun

plural

vocabularies

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.

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vocabulary British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• vocabularied adjective

Etymology

Origin of vocabulary

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

Example Sentences

She said unique vocabulary can become part of your personal dictionary, an invisible file that logs your typing behavior.

From The Wall Street Journal

Color is so fundamental to how we describe the world that we learn its vocabulary almost as early as the alphabet.

From The Wall Street Journal

His unique delivery – conversational and charismatic, combining Jamaican intonation with witty Britishisms and elevated vocabulary – was already in place.

From BBC

My wife requested a flashcard tool so she could drill her French vocabulary, with the ability to add and edit multiple word lists.

From BBC

“It is a narrative operation using a shared cultural vocabulary to reach a specific demographic,” namely anyone who has played these first-person shooter games.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dictionary
• glossary
• jargon
• terminology