Dictionary vs. Glossary: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A dictionary is a comprehensive collection of words and their meanings, while a glossary is a list of terms specific to a certain field or subject, often found at the end of a book.
Key Differences
A dictionary is a comprehensive reference book that lists words of a language and provides their meanings, pronunciations, etymologies, and other information. In contrast, a glossary is a list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with definitions for those terms.
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Dec 01, 2023
While a dictionary covers a broad spectrum of words from a language, a glossary focuses on terms specific to a certain field or subject, explaining jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to the general reader.
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Dec 01, 2023
Dictionaries are often used for language learning and understanding the general usage of words, including their various contexts and connotations. Glossaries, however, are typically found at the end of textbooks or technical manuals, aiding in understanding specialized language.
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Dec 01, 2023
The content of a dictionary is usually vast and includes words from various fields, historical periods, and levels of formality. A glossary, however, is more concise and limited to the scope of the subject matter it accompanies.
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Dec 01, 2023
Dictionaries often include phonetic transcriptions to guide pronunciation, whereas glossaries usually do not focus on pronunciation but rather on concise definitions within a specific context.
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Dec 01, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Provides definitions, pronunciations, etymologies
Clarifies terms specific to a text or field
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Usage Context
General use for language understanding
Specific to a subject area, often academic or technical
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Length and Detail
Extensive, with detailed entries
Concise, focused on subject-relevant terms
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Dictionary and Glossary Definitions
Dictionary
A dictionary is a book or electronic resource that lists the words of a language and gives their meaning.
She looked up the word 'obfuscate' in the dictionary.
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Dec 01, 2023
Glossary
A glossary is a list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with definitions for those terms.
The science textbook included a glossary of technical terms.
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Dec 01, 2023
Dictionary
It's a reference tool providing information about the meanings, pronunciations, and correct usage of words.
The English teacher recommended using a dictionary to improve vocabulary.
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Dec 01, 2023
Glossary
A glossary is often found at the end of academic books, helping clarify subject-specific terminology.
She referred to the glossary in her history book to understand archaic terms.
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Dictionary
A dictionary can also include information about word origins, synonyms, and antonyms.
He used a dictionary to find synonyms for 'happy.'
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Glossary
It provides concise definitions of keywords and phrases used in a particular text or field.
The glossary in the cookbook defined various cooking techniques.
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Dictionary
A dictionary may also provide idiomatic expressions and phrases.
The phrase 'kick the bucket' was explained in the idiomatic section of the dictionary.
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Glossary
A glossary aids readers in understanding specialized or technical language within a text.
The legal document was easier to understand with the help of the glossary.
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Dec 01, 2023
Dictionary
A reference work containing an alphabetical list of words, with information given for each word, usually including meaning, pronunciation, and etymology.
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Oct 19, 2023
Glossary
It's a specialized dictionary with terms relevant to a specific subject or field.
The computer manual's glossary explained technical jargon.
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Dec 01, 2023
Dictionary
A reference work containing an alphabetical list of words in one language with their translations in another language.
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Oct 19, 2023
Glossary
A list of often difficult or specialized words with their definitions, often placed at the back of a book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
A reference work containing an alphabetical list of words in a particular category or subject with specialized information about them
A medical dictionary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Glossary
A list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with their definitions.
At the back of the book you can find the glossary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
A list of words stored in machine-readable form for reference, as by spelling-checking software.
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Oct 19, 2023
Glossary
A collection of glosses or explanations of words and passages of a work or author; a partial dictionary of a work, an author, a dialect, art, or science, explaining archaic, technical, or other uncommon words.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
A reference work with a list of words from one or more languages, normally ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meanings (sense), and sometimes also containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, semantic relations, and translations, as well as other data.
If you want to know the meaning of a word, look it up in the dictionary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Glossary
An alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that field
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
A synchronic dictionary of a standardised language held to only contain words that are properly part of the language.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
(by extension) Any work that has a list of material organized alphabetically; e.g., biographical dictionary, encyclopedic dictionary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
(computing) An associative array, a data structure where each value is referenced by a particular key, analogous to words and definitions in a dictionary (sense 1).
Hash table
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
A book containing the words of a language, arranged alphabetically, with explanations of their meanings; a lexicon; a vocabulary; a wordbook.
I applied myself to the perusal of our writers; and noting whatever might be of use to ascertain or illustrate any word or phrase, accumulated in time the materials of a dictionary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
Hence, a book containing the words belonging to any system or province of knowledge, arranged alphabetically; as, a dictionary of medicine or of botany; a biographical dictionary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
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Oct 19, 2023
Dictionary
It's a resource for understanding the grammatical use of words.
The dictionary indicated that 'run' is both a noun and a verb.
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Dec 01, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a glossary?
A glossary is a list of terms found in a particular domain of knowledge, providing definitions specifically for those terms.
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Dec 01, 2023
Where is a glossary usually found?
Glossaries are typically found at the end of academic or technical books.
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Dec 01, 2023
Are glossaries subject-specific?
Yes, glossaries focus on terms specific to a particular field or subject.
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Dec 01, 2023
Are dictionaries available in both print and digital formats?
Yes, dictionaries can be found in both print and various digital formats.
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Dec 01, 2023
Does a dictionary include pronunciation guides?
Yes, most dictionaries provide phonetic transcriptions to assist with pronunciation.
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Dec 01, 2023
Do glossaries contain general language words?
No, glossaries usually contain terms specific to the text or field they accompany.
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Dec 01, 2023
What is a dictionary?
A dictionary is a reference book or online resource that lists words of a language and provides their meanings, pronunciations, and sometimes etymologies.
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Dec 01, 2023
Can dictionaries include slang and colloquialisms?
Yes, many modern dictionaries include slang and colloquial expressions.
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Dec 01, 2023
Are glossaries common in textbooks?
Yes, particularly in academic and technical textbooks.
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Dec 01, 2023
Is a glossary as detailed as a dictionary?
No, glossaries are typically more concise and limited to specific terms.
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Dec 01, 2023
How often are dictionaries updated?
Many dictionaries are updated regularly to include new words and meanings.
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Do dictionaries include idiomatic expressions?
Some dictionaries include sections on idioms and phrases.
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Dec 01, 2023
Do glossaries explain the context of terms?
Glossaries provide definitions, sometimes with brief contextual explanations.
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Dec 01, 2023
Do dictionaries provide word origins?
Many dictionaries provide etymologies, explaining the origins of words.
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Dec 01, 2023
Can I rely on a dictionary for accurate pronunciation?
Yes, especially if it includes phonetic transcriptions.
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Dec 01, 2023
Are all dictionaries the same?
No, dictionaries vary in size, scope, and the depth of information provided.
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Dec 01, 2023
Can glossaries be found in fiction books?
Occasionally, especially if the fiction uses specific or invented terms.
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Dec 01, 2023
Are online dictionaries as reliable as print ones?
Many online dictionaries are reliable and often more up-to-date than print versions.
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Dec 01, 2023
Are glossaries used for language learning?
Glossaries are more used for understanding specific jargon rather than for general language learning.
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Dec 01, 2023
Do glossaries include antonyms and synonyms?
Glossaries typically focus on definitions, not on antonyms or synonyms.
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Dec 01, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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