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
But Nacua’s emergence over the last three seasons has been remarkable and has created an encyclopedic log of statistical achievements that fills the Rams’ game notes.
—
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Walking through the museum’s collection with Anderson, both his love of bicycles and his encyclopedic knowledge of cycling history immediately become clear.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Gatiss, 59, created, writes and stars as antiquarian bookshop owner Gabriel Book who with his encyclopedic knowledge of literature, history and the thousands of books lining his shelves helps police solve mysterious crimes in 1946 London.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Her brother, Luca, works his Sicilian charisma on all guests, imparting his encyclopedic knowledge of wine (especially Malvasia) and infectious pride for this pretty corner of the Aeolians.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
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Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Walking through the museum’s collection with Anderson, both his love of bicycles and his encyclopedic knowledge of cycling history immediately become clear.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Gatiss, 59, created, writes and stars as antiquarian bookshop owner Gabriel Book who with his encyclopedic knowledge of literature, history and the thousands of books lining his shelves helps police solve mysterious crimes in 1946 London.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Her brother, Luca, works his Sicilian charisma on all guests, imparting his encyclopedic knowledge of wine (especially Malvasia) and infectious pride for this pretty corner of the Aeolians.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encyclopedic
Cite this Entry
“Encyclopedic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encyclopedic. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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