Thesauri: meaning, definitions and examples
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thesauri
[ θɪˈsɔːrəs ]
reference book
A thesaurus is a reference work that groups words together according to similarity of meaning (synonyms) and sometimes by antonyms. It helps writers enhance their vocabulary and find the right word for a particular context. Unlike a dictionary, which provides definitions, a thesaurus focuses on words that convey similar concepts. Using a thesaurus can improve clarity and conciseness in writing.
Synonyms
lexicon, synonym dictionary, wordbook.
Examples of usage
- I used a thesaurus to find alternatives for 'happy'.
- The writer consulted a thesaurus to improve his manuscript.
- She found the perfect synonym in her thesaurus.
- Using a thesaurus can help diversify your language.
Translations
Translations of the word "thesauri" in other languages:
🇵🇹 dicionário de sinônimos
🇮🇳 थिसॉरस
🇩🇪 Thesaurus
🇮🇩 tesaurus
🇺🇦 тезаурус
🇵🇱 tezaurus
🇯🇵 類語辞典
🇫🇷 thésaurus
🇪🇸 tesauro
🇹🇷 eş anlamlılar sözlüğü
🇰🇷 유의어 사전
🇸🇦 قاموس المرادفات
🇨🇿 tezaurus
🇸🇰 tezaurus
🇨🇳 同义词典
🇸🇮 tezaurus
🇮🇸 synonymar
🇰🇿 синонимдер сөздігі
🇬🇪 სინონიმების ლექსიკონი
🇦🇿 təzaurus
🇲🇽 tesauro
Etymology
The word 'thesaurus' comes from the Latin 'thesaurus', which means 'treasure' or 'storehouse'. This term can be traced back further to the ancient Greek word 'thēsauros', meaning 'treasure' or 'repository'. The modern use of 'thesaurus' to refer to a book of synonyms was popularized in the 18th century, particularly through the work of Peter Mark Roget, who published 'Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases' in 1852. Roget's thesaurus organized words thematically rather than alphabetically, and it set a precedent for many subsequent thesauri. The emphasis on grouping words by meaning has made thesauruses invaluable tools for writers, educators, and anyone looking to enrich their language.