encyclopedic

Also en·cy·clo·pe·di·cal,
Or en·cy·clo·pae·dic

[en-sahy-kluh-pee-dik]

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of an encyclopedia; relating to all branches of knowledge.

2. comprehending a wide variety of information; comprehensive.

   an encyclopedic memory.

   Synonyms: wide-ranging, exhaustive, all-inclusive, all-embracing

encyclopedic

/ ɛnˌsaɪkləʊˈpiːdɪk /

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or relating to an encyclopedia

2. covering a wide range of knowledge; comprehensive

Other Word Forms

• encyclopedically adverb
• encyclopaedically adverb
• nonencyclopaedic adjective
• nonencyclopedic adjective
• nonencyclopedical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of encyclopedic¹

First recorded in 1815–25; encycloped(ia) + -ic

Example Sentences

Consider these examples, which are by no means encyclopedic.

From Salon

One is obsessed with Major League Baseball, and one is obsessed with the history of Disney theme parks, and they have encyclopedic knowledge every bit as awe-inspiring and freakish as I had as a kid.

From Los Angeles Times

Booster is lively with the women but also has an encyclopedic knowledge of their relationship blunders.

From Salon

Conan Doyle: creator of Sherlock Holmes and by extension all subsequent super sleuths with an eccentric character, eagle eye for detail, encyclopedic knowledge of unexpectedly useful trivia and the brain of a UNIVAC.

From Los Angeles Times

McKenna drew from an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion from the medieval age onward, said her friend Jenny, who asked to withhold her last name for privacy concerns.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exhaustive 
• extensive 
• thorough 
• vast 
• wide-ranging