Vocabulary: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to the collection of words known and used by a person, group, or profession. Often used in educational contexts.

• She used flashcards to improve her English vocabulary.
• Teachers often focus on expanding students' vocabulary.

A complete set of words within a language or a specific branch of knowledge. Often used in academic or specialized fields.

• Linguists study the lexicon of different languages.
• Her research contributes to the medical lexicon, introducing new terminology.

A simple list of words, often used for educational purposes or to provide a quick reference. Not necessarily accompanied by definitions.

• To prepare for the spelling bee, he reviewed the word list daily.
• The teacher provided a word list to help students with their vocabulary homework.

A list of terms and their definitions usually found at the end of a book or document. Common in textbooks, technical documents, and official reports.

• The glossary at the back of the book helped clarify many technical terms.
• When reading scientific articles, she often referred to the glossary for definitions.

Use when referring to the set of words known and used by a person or group, especially in a general context.

• Her vocabulary has improved a lot after reading so many books
• Children often learn new vocabulary quickly

Use when referring to the set of technical words or expressions used in a particular subject or field.

• Medical terminology includes words like 'cardiovascular' and 'neurology'
• The terminology used in law can be hard to understand for outsiders

Use when referring to specialized or technical words that are used by a particular profession or group and may be difficult for others to understand.

• The doctor's jargon was hard to understand for someone not in the medical field
• Lawyers often use complex jargon in their documents

Use when referring to the method of communication, either spoken or written, that is particular to a community or country.

• Many countries have their own unique language
• She speaks three different languages

Used in general contexts to refer to a person's knowledge of words or the set of words used in a particular language or subject.

• She has a rich vocabulary.
• Improve your vocabulary by reading daily.

Mainly used to refer to a collection of skills, abilities, or performances that a person or group regularly uses or can perform. It is not exclusive to words and can include songs, plays, etc.

• The pianist has an impressive repertoire.
• Expand your repertoire to include more modern pieces.

Often used in more formal or academic contexts to refer to the complete set of words in a language or a specific thematic set of words.

• The lexicon of medical terminology is vast.
• Each field has its own lexicon.

Generally used in linguistic contexts to refer to the total set of words available in a language or used by an individual.

• The English word stock is constantly evolving.
• His word stock grew as he learned new languages.