Building a dictionary is the work of lexicographers, the people who write and edit dictionary entries. Samuel Johnson, for example, published A Dictionary of the English Language in 1755 and is often heralded as the father of English lexicography. As you might guess, however, the work of building and maintaining a dictionary requires large teams of dedicated individuals who are passionate about language—and many of …
When you look up words on Dictionary.com, you’ll encounter all kinds of labels on terms and their definitions. Taken in combination with the definitions, these labels are intended to help you understand how words are used. Some labels, like noun and verb, are straightforward, but the meanings of others, such as Disparaging, Archaic, and Literary, may be much less obvious. To help clarify and demystify …
By Lyndsey Gresehover You’ve completed the brainstorming and research. You have created an essay outline that serves as your roadmap (or “skeleton” as some call it) and have even finished the writing. However, there is still one more equally important step to ensure your paper has all the required elements … your writing checklist. Checklists are tools we use in lots of things we do. …
Where in the world do people speak Spanish? If you sat down to make a list, you’d notice right away that the number of countries you can add to it is pretty substantial. Spanish is one of the most prevalent languages in the world, as it’s spoken not only in Spain and Mexico but also throughout North, Central, and South America and the African continent. …
After nearly 5,000 (!) submissions, three finalists, more than 3,000 votes, and some seriously scary sci-fi: it’s official. You have chosen the winner of the 2022 Haunting Hooks Scary Story Opener Writing Contest! For our second annual edition of the contest, we again challenged contestants to write a captivating opening to a scary story in 50 words or less. This year, there was a theme: …
From fire to the internet, science and technology have shaped and changed the world. But we can imagine so much more. Time travel! Teleportation! Interstellar spaceships! These (at least for the time being) are the realm of science fiction. In this article, we’ll discuss what elements contribute to a story being categorized as sci-fi and provide examples on page and on screen, including “hard sci-fi” …
By Ashley Austrew As you turn the page in your planners and welcome a new year, you’re probably thinking about some of the ways you’d like to better yourself and the things you’d like to accomplish. New Year’s resolutions are popular because the new year represents a time of renewal. It’s an opportunity to shed the old habits and beliefs that are weighing us down …
By Ashley Austrew Teachers are some of the most important people in a child’s life. We honor them on World Teacher Day on October 5 and May, when National Teacher Day is held during the first full week. It’s only fitting, after all, because teachers spend almost every day with kids, teaching them not only the basic skills they need to grow and thrive, but …
By Ashley Austrew Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or a high school student yourself, you’re probably aware that having a strong vocabulary is important for reading, writing, and speaking. In ninth through twelfth grades, students are not only tackling high-level coursework, but also preparing for their adult lives beyond school. The words they learn now will carry through into their later educational and career …
By Ashley Austrew Literacy is a different ball game for middle school students than it is for kids in elementary school. While sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are still learning new words, working on spelling, and improving their reading skills, they’re also starting to engage with words in new ways. Middle schoolers are reading more complex books, exploring new educational materials, and starting to dive …
By Ashley Austrew Vocabulary is one of the keys to literacy, and having a strong foundational vocabulary can help kids learn more and perform better across many different subjects. Luckily, at Dictionary.com, we have customized word lists to help learners at every level improve their vocabularies, work on their spelling, and more. Getting ready for a new school year has never been simpler than with …
Whether you’re on a trip to the local zoo, visiting an aquarium, or heading outside for a hike, you’re likely to encounter insects and animals who are enjoying the great outdoors as much as you do. For word lovers and parents of school-aged kids alike, these chance encounters can be a great opportunity to learn and practice some cool new animal vocabulary! You’re probably already …
