lexicon

noun

lex·​i·​con ˈlek-sə-ˌkän 

also -kən

plural lexica ˈlek-sə-kə  or lexicons

1

: a book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language and their definitions : dictionary

a French lexicon

2

a

: the vocabulary of a language, an individual speaker or group of speakers, or a subject

computer terms that have been added to the lexicon

b

: the total stock of morphemes in a language

3

: repertoire, inventory

added the DVD to his video lexicon

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Tips on Using Lexicon in a Sentence

The word lexicon has a number of closely-related meanings, which can easily lead to confusion and may cause the word to be used in an awkward way. Lexicon can refer to a general dictionary of a language (as in "a lexicon of the Hebrew language") and also to a narrower printed compilation of words within some sphere (as in "a medical lexicon" or "a lexicon of the German in Finnegans Wake").

Similarly, lexicon can refer both to the vocabulary of a specific group of people ("the lexicon of French") or to the general language used by an unspecified group of people ("a word that has not entered the general lexicon yet"). It may also often be found in reference to the vocabulary employed by a particular speaker ("'Failure' is not a word in my lexicon").

Synonyms of lexicon

• dictionary

Examples of lexicon in a Sentence

a computer term that has entered the general lexicon

an avid word enthusiast who is compiling a lexicon of archaic and unusual words

Recent Examples on the Web

Long before ChatGPT and Claude entered the global lexicon, there had been a steadystream of warnings about the dangers of artificial intelligence. — Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026

After Gerald’s Game (2017), Doctor Sleep (2019), and The Life of Chuck (2024) — and with The Mist on the way — there’s something enticing about Flanagan taking his cumulative knowledge of the author’s lexicon to revisit King’s very first novel. — Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

Vogue Daily Newsletter A bit of naked dressing is, of course, firmly established within the Dakota Johnson style lexicon. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2026

By the first week of September, TikTok users were turning Kirk’s name into a growing lexicon of wordplay. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Greek lexikon, from neuter of lexikos of words, from Greek lexis word, speech, from legein to say — more at legend

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lexicon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon

Kids Definition

lexicon

noun

lex·​i·​con ˈlek-sə-ˌkän 

-si-kən

: dictionary sense 1