vocabulary

[voh-kab-yuh-ler-ee]

noun

plural

vocabularies 

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. the words of a language.

4. any collection of signs or symbols constituting a means or system of nonverbal communication.

   vocabulary of a computer.

5. any more or less specific group of forms characteristic of an artist, a style of art, architecture, or the like.

vocabulary

/ vəˈkæbjʊlərɪ /

noun

1. a listing, either selective or exhaustive, containing the words and phrases of a language, with meanings or translations into another language; glossary

2. the aggregate of words in the use or comprehension of a specified person, class, profession, etc

3. all the words contained in a language

4. 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

• vocabularied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocabulary¹

1525–35; < Medieval Latin vocābulārium, noun use of neuter of vocābulārius of words, equivalent to Latin vocābul ( um ) vocable + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of vocabulary¹

C16: from Medieval Latin vocābulārium, from vocābulārius concerning words, from Latin vocābulum _vocable

Example Sentences

He is also well known for his wide vocabulary and published a book about language in 2022.

Read more on BBC

The vocabulary of war is being repurposed for politics.

Read more on Salon

“We have this character who has very big emotions and very deep thoughts and a real curiosity about the world, but he doesn’t have the vocabulary to express that.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So I think that her vocabulary of options, or the number options she has, is probably around 500 to 600.

Read more on Salon

"There's no roadblock at all on rare earths -- that will hopefully disappear from our vocabulary," he said, without giving details.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• dictionary 
• glossary 
• jargon 
• terminology