Transcript Using an English Dictionary

Using an English
Language Dictionary
Renton Technical College Library
Revised 03/03/09
A dictionary is helpful
for learning:
the meanings of words
how to pronounce words
how to spell words
how words are used (parts of speech)
examples of how to use the word in a sentence.
A dictionary is a list of words and
their meanings
It is alphabetical (listed in the same order as the letters
of the English alphabet).
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
To use a dictionary, you need to be able to alphabetize.
Alphabetizing
Look at the first letters of the word. Words
that begin with A come before words that
begin with B.
“Apple” comes before “Bat”
“Bat” comes before “Car”
“Cow” comes before “Dot”
Alphabetizing
If both words start with the same letter,
look at the next letter to decide which goes
first. If the second letters are the same,
look at the third letters.
“Pan” comes before “Pen”
“Pen” comes before “Pin”
“Pin” comes before “Pun”
Practice Alphabetizing
tiger
tape
tide
What is the correct order?
Practice Alphabetizing
tape - 1
tide - 2
tiger - 3
Practice Alphabetizing
Alphabetize the bag of tiles into proper
order.
Guide Words
The dictionary
entry for the
words “duck”
and “duckling”.
Part of Speech
Two definitions of the
same word “duck”
Shows 2 syllables.
Shows how to pronounce
or say the word.
More Practice
The Staff is Here to Help You!
Eric Palo, Library Director
Jinny Wesson, Library Coordinator
Laura Staley, Media Librarian
Yueh-Lin Chen, Library Specialist
Debbie Crumb, Librarian
Kate Wentworth, Library Specialist