vocabulary

noun

vō-ˈka-byə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce vocabulary (audio)
Definition of vocabularynext
1
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field scientific vocabulary

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2
as in language
the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication children learn enough of the common vocabulary to make themselves understood by around the age of two

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vocabulary Train an unlimited number of them on your own writing samples so future drafts match your tone, vocabulary, and style across blog posts, emails, and business documents alike. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026 Children often don’t have the vocabulary to name a fear directly or the confidence that a topic is safe to raise. — Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 Skin barrier talk has moved from dermatology offices into TikTok routines and product marketing, and the vocabulary is starting to change how people buy skincare. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Interested in learning other official (and unofficial) aviation vocabulary? — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vocabulary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vocabulary
  1. terminology
  2. language
  3. dialect
  4. tongue
  5. slang
  6. idiom
Noun
  • By following an idea through scholarship, students can see how terminology shifts, arguments develop, and disagreements emerge, and how their own writing enters that process.
    — Saurabh Anand, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The result can be a homepage filled with procedures, devices, awards, credentials and medical terminology without a clear reason to keep going.
    — Chris Zelig, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of terminology
Noun
  • Even as strong as the UNEP report is, the language of who does mitigation is so vague as to almost verge on the passive voice.
    — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The ballot measure’s opponents have argued the language around broadband facilities is broad enough to include the controversial facilities.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • Documenting many varieties is a way to not just share the language, but to illustrate how dialects of Pennsylvania Dutch differ and maybe even fill in each other’s gaps.
    — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Italy is a unique country where every city has its own identity, architecture, traditions, flavors, dialects and even different ways of life.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of dialect
Noun
  • New asymmetrical Fieg and Asics branding features on the tongue and mustache, the former of which appears in the latter’s signature font, and a special Kith 15th anniversary graphic graces the insole.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Some Republicans are no longer holding their tongues about their concerns with Collins or his campaign.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of tongue
Noun
  • McCaffrey and the 49ers will return to the United States after their win and lesson in Australian slang to play the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The script itself is filled with the language of its time and place, including Berliner gutter slang and high-society clichés, casino speech and capitalist jargon, spoken Yiddish and literary German.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of slang
Noun
  • The first Velvet Underground album, the mid-period Beatles, Kinks, and Creedence Clearwater Revival records, with enough time, seem almost like different components to the same idiom.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Cinema is, after all, a language, and Belgian filmmakers come from a country built on the need to understand language as a bridge—between its regions, its people, and its idioms.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of idiom

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vocabularies
vocabulary
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Cite this Entry

“Vocabulary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vocabulary. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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