vocabulary */

vocabulary */
UK [vəʊˈkæbjʊlərɪ] / US [voʊˈkæbjəˌlerɪ] noun
Word forms "vocabulary":
singular vocabulary plural vocabularies
1) [countable/uncountable] all the words that a person knows
a wide vocabulary (= knowledge of a large number of words):

He has a wide vocabulary and loves crosswords.

a limited vocabulary:

Her grammar isn't bad, but she has a limited vocabulary.

expand your vocabulary (= learn new words):

An average child will quickly expand his or her vocabulary.

a) [countable/uncountable] all the words in a particular language

Technical developments give us a lot of new vocabulary.

enter the vocabulary:

The word "think tank" had entered the vocabulary by the 1960s.

b) the words used for talking about a particular subject
technical/specialized vocabulary:

Try to avoid using too much technical vocabulary.

c) all the words used or produced by a computer program, game, or talking toy

The program has a vocabulary of 2,500 words.

2) [countable] a list of words and their meanings, especially in a book for learning a foreign language
•

something is not in/part of someone's vocabulary — used for saying that someone will not accept a particular idea or possibility

The word "failure" was simply not part of her vocabulary.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • vocabulary — [vō kab′yə ler΄ē] n. pl. vocabularies [ML vocabularium < L vocabulum, a word: see VOCABLE] 1. a list of words and, often, phrases, abbreviations, inflectional forms, etc., usually arranged in alphabetical order and defined or otherwise… …   English World dictionary

  • Vocabulary — Vo*cab u*la*ry (v[ o]*k[a^]b [ u]*l[asl]*r[y^]), n.; pl. {Vocabularies}. [LL. vocabularium, vocabularius: cf. F. vocabulaire. See {Vocable}.] 1. A list or collection of words arranged in alphabetical order and explained; a dictionary or lexicon,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vocabulary — index language, parlance, phraseology Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • vocabulary — (n.) 1530s, list of words with explanations, from M.L. vocabularium a list of words, from L. vocabulum word, name, noun, from vocare to name, call (see VOICE (Cf. voice)). Meaning range of language of a person or group is first attested 1753 …   Etymology dictionary

  • vocabulary — *language, phraseology, diction, phrasing, style …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • vocabulary — [n] language of a person or people cant, dictionary, glossary, jargon, lexicon, palaver, phraseology, terminology, thesaurus, wordbook, word hoard*, words, word stock*; concepts 276,280 …   New thesaurus

  • vocabulary — ► NOUN (pl. vocabularies) 1) the body of words used in a particular language or in a particular sphere. 2) the body of words known to an individual person. 3) a list of words with an explanation of their meanings. 4) a range of artistic or… …   English terms dictionary

  • vocabulary — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ big, extensive, large, rich, wide ▪ English has a rich vocabulary and literature. ▪ Try to develop a wide vocabulary. ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • vocabulary — vo|cab|u|lar|y [ vou kæbjə,leri ] noun * 1. ) count or uncount all the words that a person knows: a limited vocabulary: Her grammar isn t bad, but she has a limited vocabulary. a wide vocabulary (=knowledge of a large number of words): He has a… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • vocabulary — n. 1) to command a vocabulary 2) to build, develop, enlarge one s vocabulary 3) an extensive, huge, large, rich vocabulary 4) a meager, restricted, small vocabulary 5) a basic; technical vocabulary 6) an active; passive vocabulary * * * [və… …   Combinatory dictionary

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