encyclopedic
adjective
en·cy·clo·pe·dic
in-ˌsī-klə-ˈpē-dik 
: of, relating to, or suggestive of an encyclopedia or its methods of treating or covering a subject : comprehensive
an encyclopedic mind
an encyclopedic collection of armor
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In Greek, paidaea meant not simply "child-rearing" but also "education", and kyklios meant "general;" thus, an encyclopedia is a work broad enough to provide a kind of general education. The world's most eminent general encyclopedia, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, is a huge work that covers every field of human knowledge. But encyclopedic doesn't have to refer to books; it's often used to describe the wide-ranging knowledge that certain types of minds just can't stop acquiring.
Examples of encyclopedic in a Sentence
She published an encyclopedic study of ancient Egypt.
The event was described in encyclopedic detail.
his almost encyclopedic knowledge of movies
Recent Examples on the Web
Launched from a modest third-floor office in Swift Hall on the U. of C. campus, the project wound up producing five encyclopedic volumes on the subject.
—
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
But for audiences without that encyclopedic knowledge, developments around the character, and his affinity with Yelena, will be a rewarding part of the story.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025
Conan Doyle: creator of Sherlock Holmes and by extension all subsequent super sleuths with an eccentric character, eagle eye for detail, encyclopedic knowledge of unexpectedly useful trivia and the brain of a UNIVAC.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
We are joined by Nicole Gee from Aston Martin Q, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of all the options available.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
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Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
But for audiences without that encyclopedic knowledge, developments around the character, and his affinity with Yelena, will be a rewarding part of the story.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025
Conan Doyle: creator of Sherlock Holmes and by extension all subsequent super sleuths with an eccentric character, eagle eye for detail, encyclopedic knowledge of unexpectedly useful trivia and the brain of a UNIVAC.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
We are joined by Nicole Gee from Aston Martin Q, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of all the options available.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encyclopedic
Cite this Entry
“Encyclopedic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encyclopedic. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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