thesauruses
Word alternative collections
Thesauruses are reference books that group words by meaning rather than spelling, helping writers find synonyms and related terms.
The Greek root means treasury or storehouse—a thesaurus stores words.
The plural thesauri appears in formal contexts, but thesauruses dominates in everyday use: I keep several thesauruses on my desk.
Comprehensive subject-matter collection
- dictionaryAlphabetical word reference
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- glossaryAlphabetical list with definitions
- handbookCompact reference guide
compendium · atlas · almanac · bibliography · index · wordbook · reference book · Roget's
Vocabulary of a language
- terminologySubject-specific vocabulary
- dictionChoice of words
- nomenclatureSystem of specialized terms
- glossaryAlphabetical list with definitions
lexis · word lists · technical terms · specialized vocabulary
Things of equal value
- alternativesOther available options
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- replacementsItems taking others' places
- paraphrasesRestates using different words
Selection of vocabulary
- style guidePublication formatting rules
- phrasingManner of expressing something
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
- articulationClear vocal expression
Terms with contrary meanings
- contrariesMutually exclusive opposites
- counterpartsEquivalent persons or things
- antithesesDirect rhetorical opposites
- polar oppositesMaximally opposed counterparts
encyclopedia
Comprehensive subject-matter collection
- dictionaryAlphabetical word reference
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- glossaryAlphabetical list with definitions
handbook · compendium · atlas · almanac · bibliography · index · wordbook · reference book · Roget's
lexicon
Vocabulary of a language
- terminologySubject-specific vocabulary
- dictionChoice of words
- nomenclatureSystem of specialized terms
glossary · lexis · word lists · technical terms · specialized vocabulary
equivalents
Things of equal value
- alternativesOther available options
- substitutesReplacements for originals
- replacementsItems taking others' places
word choice
Selection of vocabulary
- style guidePublication formatting rules
- phrasingManner of expressing something
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
articulation · clarity · vocabulary expansion · synonym finder
opposites
Terms with contrary meanings
- contrariesMutually exclusive opposites
- counterpartsEquivalent persons or things
- antithesesDirect rhetorical opposites
- booksnovel, textbooks, study guides, book, paperback
- reference booksdictionary, dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, encyclopedias, encyclopedia
- referencesreference, references, dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas
- lexicographydictionary, dictionaries, definition, definitions, lexicon
- dictionariesdictionary, dictionaries, definitions, definition, entries
- reading educationliteracy, reading, vocabulary, spelling, phonics
thesaurusesdictionaries
Books defining vocabulary
lexicons · glossaries · encyclopedias · vocabulary lists · pronunciation guides
- thesaurus entriesSynonym dictionary records
- Roget's ThesaurusSystematic synonym dictionary