vocabulary
Americannoun
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the stock of words used by or known to a particular people or group of persons.
His French vocabulary is rather limited. The scientific vocabulary is constantly growing.
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a list or collection of the words or phrases of a language, technical field, etc., usually arranged in alphabetical order and defined.
Study the vocabulary in the fourth chapter.
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the words of a language.
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any collection of signs or symbols constituting a means or system of nonverbal communication.
vocabulary of a computer.
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any more or less specific group of forms characteristic of an artist, a style of art, architecture, or the like.
noun
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a listing, either selective or exhaustive, containing the words and phrases of a language, with meanings or translations into another language; glossary
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the aggregate of words in the use or comprehension of a specified person, class, profession, etc
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all the words contained in a language
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a range or system of symbols, qualities, or techniques constituting a means of communication or expression, as any of the arts or crafts
a wide vocabulary of textures and colours
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of vocabulary
1525–35; < Medieval Latin vocābulārium, noun use of neuter of vocābulārius of words, equivalent to Latin vocābul ( um ) vocable + -ārius -ary
Explanation
Vocabulary is all about words — the words in a language or a special set of words you are trying to learn. Vocabulary is so important, we even created a web site to help expand yours. First used in the 1500s to mean a list of words with explanations, the noun vocabulary came to refer to the “range of language of a person or group” about two hundred years later. A lot of hobbies, like fishing or knitting, require that you learn their unique vocabulary before you can get the most out of them. If you're in a rush, vocab is a faster way to say vocabulary.
Vocabulary lists containing vocabulary
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dictionary Words: Lexicography Lingo
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Narrative Writing, List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By then, “slices” had indeed become “wedges,” a decision Socolow says they made to “harmonize” their vocabulary with Browne’s.
From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026
It’s only made me realize that one of the great joys of owning a pet is that you develop your own way of communicating, in a way that widens your vocabulary.
From Slate • Jun. 20, 2026
What has the medium got to give, with its vocabulary?
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Apps can be fun and playful, and can help us maintain motivation, develop vocabulary and embed grammatical structures.
From Science Daily • May 22, 2026
Since there had never been a republican chief executive, there was no readily available vocabulary to characterize such a creature, except the verbal traditions that had built up around European courts and kings.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
