3     I can understand a learner’s dictionary

How can a learner’s dictionary help you? These examples are from Oxford Wordpower Dictionary.

Different meanings of the word arc given in the definitions, which are in simple English.

The dictionary helps you avoid making mistakes, and helps with grammar.

Idioms and phrasal verbs are at the end of the entry.

Examples of usage are provided.

Phonetic symbols help with pronunciation. You can find out which syllable is stressed.

Words that are often used together (collocations) are given in bold.

It can teach you related words: this helps you build your vocabulary and select the correct word for your needs.

It helps you with style: for instance, whether words arc formal, informal, slang, offensive, etc.

Glossary

definition  an exact statement of what a word or phrase means. define sth V.

avoid doing sth  If you avoid doing sth, you try not to do or experience it.

idiom  a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words (also expression).

entry  one of a list of items included in a dictionary, list, etc. (There are three dictionary entries on this page.)

provide sth  give sth to sb or make sth available for sb.

style  the way sth is written or spoken (e.g. an informal style, a formal style).

for instance  SYN for example.

slang  very informal words or phrases used in spoken language.

offensive  rude and likely to upset sb. offend sb V.

symbol  a letter, number, or sign that has a particular meaning (e.g. the symbol /ʃ/ is pronounced ‘sh’).

syllable  a part of a word which contains a vowel sound. (Go has one syllable and prefer has two syllables.)

relate sth to sth connect sth to sth. related ADJ.

build sth  make sth bigger; increase sth.

select sth  SYN choose sth (but select is more formal). selection N.

 

spotlight  stress and emphasize

Both verbs mean to say a syllable, word, or phrase with extra loudness.

The related nouns are stress (on sth) and emphasis (on sth).

The stress is on the first syllable. Don’t emphasize every word.

They are also used to say that sth is important.

The newspapers stressed the need for urgent action.

The emphasis is mainly on education.

3     Now look at the dictionary entries on the left-hand page. Answer the questions.

►   Which syllable is stressed in mistake?  The second syllable

1     Which related words are given for mistake and make a mistake? ________

2     How many definitions are there in the entry for guy? ________

3     What style is the idiom You can’t win? ________

4     Is guy an offensive word? ________

5     Which phonetic symbols are given for guy? ________

6     Are these sentences correct? ________

a) I haven’t got the keys, but it’s not my fault; Jo lost them. ________

b) My dad wins a lot of money in his job. ________

1     error, do sth wrong, fault

2     two

3     informal

4     no, it’s informal

5     / gai /

6     a) correct

b)    not correct (it should be ‘My dad earns a lot of money in his job’’)