Transcript What is a dictionary?

What is a dictionary?
A dictionary is a book of words listed
alphabetically. The words listed in a
dictionary are called entries and
are printed in dark black print.
For each entry or word the
dictionary gives you the
spelling, meaning, pronunciation,
and how the word is used in a
sentence. Sometimes the
dictionary will have pictures to
help describe unfamiliar words.
Words often have more than one
meaning. For example, mouse refers
to a small animal and to a computer
device that looks like the animal.
The dictionary lists the most
important definitions, giving each
one a number.
Example:
Mouse (‘maus) noun 1. any of numerous small
rodents with pointed snout, rather small ears,
and a slender usually nearly hairless tail
2. a small hand-operated device used for
computer input (as to control cursor movement
on the display screen)
3. a person without spirit or courage
We use a dictionary to ……..
 find the meanings of words.
 find out the correct spelling of
words.
 find out how to pronounce or say
words.
 find out what part of speech a
word is.
A dictionary is divided into three
parts. A beginning, middle and end.
 Beginning of dictionary is letters A - H
 Middle of dictionary is letters G - L
 End of dictionary is letters M - Z
There is an easy way to look for words
in a dictionary by using
GUIDE WORDS.
What are guide words ?
Guide words are found at the top of
each page in a dictionary. These words
are helpful because they tell you the
first and last entry words on a page.
The guide word on the left is the first
entry word on the page and the guide
word on the right is the last entry
word on the page. They help you find
the words you are looking for.
Dictionary activity
Look at the entry words under each pair of
guide words. Circle the word in each group
that goes with the guide words above.
dangle
drop
damp
deep
drawn
thirsty
today
toad
toddle
thirst
mess
model
medal
mule
mock
sheep
slept
short
slurp
sang