Lexicon: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ“š
Add to dictionary

lexicon

 

[ หˆlษ›ksษชkษ™n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

dictionary

A lexicon is a collection of words and phrases in a language, arranged alphabetically with definitions and often including information about pronunciation, usage, and etymology.

Synonyms

dictionary, vocabulary, wordbook.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
lexicon

This seems to be a repetition. Please refer to the first entry for 'lexicon'.

  • Not applicable
vocabulary

Refers to the body of words used in a particular language, by an individual, or within a specific field. Often used in education and personal development contexts.

  • Reading regularly can help expand your vocabulary
  • The student's vocabulary has improved significantly over the semester
wordbook

Less commonly used, typically refers to a book that lists words, often used in historical or regional contexts.

  • The old-fashioned wordbook was a treasure trove of archaic terms
  • She consulted the wordbook for regional dialects while writing her novel
dictionary

Used to describe a reference book or online resource that lists words and their meanings, pronunciations, and other details. Suitable for everyday use.

  • I consulted the dictionary to find the meaning of 'serendipity
  • ' When learning a new language, a good dictionary is essential

Examples of usage

  • I use the lexicon to look up the meanings of unfamiliar words.
  • The lexicon helped me understand the origin of the word.
Context #2 | Noun

linguistics

In linguistics, the lexicon refers to the complete set of all possible words in a language, including their meanings, forms, and relationships.

Synonyms

vocabulary, wordlist, wordstock.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
lexicon

Used in more formal or academic settings to refer to the vocabulary of a specific language, person, field, or subject.

  • The lexicon of medical terminology can be quite complex.
  • Scholars are studying the ancient lexicon of the Sumerian language.
vocabulary

Commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to the collection of words a person knows or uses in a particular language.

  • Her English vocabulary is growing every day.
  • Learning new vocabulary is essential for mastering a language.
wordstock

An uncommon term, mostly used in specialized or literary contexts to denote the total set of words used within a particular language or by an individual.

  • The rich wordstock of Shakespeare's works continues to influence modern English.
  • The wordstock of the English language has evolved over centuries.
wordlist

Typically used in educational contexts, especially when referring to lists of words compiled for learning or testing purposes.

  • Students are required to memorize a wordlist for the spelling test.
  • The teacher provided a wordlist of common adjectives.

Examples of usage

  • The lexicon of English includes thousands of words.
  • Studying the lexicon of a language is essential for understanding its structure.

Translations

Translations of the word "lexicon" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lรฉxico

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคถเคฌเฅเคฆเค•เฅ‹เคถ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Lexikon

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ leksikon

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะตะบัะธะบะพะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ leksykon

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่พžๆ›ธ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lexique

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ lรฉxico

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท leksikon

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์–ดํœ˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุนุฌู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lexikon

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ lexikรณn

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฏๆฑ‡

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ leksikon

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ orรฐabรณk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะปะตะบัะธะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒšแƒ”แƒฅแƒกแƒ˜แƒ™แƒแƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ leksikon

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ lรฉxico

Etymology

The word 'lexicon' originated from the Greek word 'lexikon biblion', meaning 'word book'. It has been used in English since the 17th century to refer to a dictionary or vocabulary specific to a particular subject or language. Over time, its usage expanded to include the broader linguistic sense of the complete set of words in a language.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,443, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.