Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

book word

noun

Definition of book word

: a word learned solely or principally from reading and often understood without knowledge of its customary pronunciation eleemosynary is a book word fine book words and long sentences— Charles Kingsley

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of book word

circa 1670, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about book word

Statistics for book word

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for book word

The first known use of book word was circa 1670

See more words from the same year

Comments on book word

What made you want to look up book word? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

contraption

Listen to the pronounciation of contraption

a device or gadget

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a closeup of a sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games