vocabulary

noun

vo·​cab·​u·​lary vō-ˈka-byə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce vocabulary (audio)
və-
plural vocabularies
1
: a list or collection of words or of words and phrases usually alphabetically arranged and explained or defined : lexicon
The vocabulary for the week is posted online every Monday.
2
a
: a sum or stock of words employed by a language, group, individual, or work or in a field of knowledge
a child with a large vocabulary
the vocabulary of physicians
a writer known for employing a rich vocabulary
b
: a list or collection of terms or codes available for use (as in an indexing system)
… the oldest Sumerian cuneiform writing could not render normal prose but was a mere telegraphic shorthand, whose vocabulary was restricted to names, numerals, units of measure, words for objects counted, and a few adjectives.Jared Diamon
3
: a supply of expressive techniques or devices (as of an art form)
an impressive musical vocabulary

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The Vocabulary of Vocabulary

For many people, the word vocabulary is primarily associated with the number of words that a person knows; one either has a large or a small vocabulary. But the word has many shades of meaning and is nicely representative of the nuanced and multi-hued nature of so much of the English lexicon.

Vocabulary may indeed refer to the collection of words known by an individual or by a large group of people. It may also signify the body of specialized terms in a field of study or activity (“the vocabulary of science”). It may designate a physical object, such as a book, in which a collection of (usually alphabetized) words is defined or explained. And it may name things other than words, such as “a list or collection of terms or codes available for use,” “a set or list of nonverbal symbols” (such as marine alphabet flag signals), and “a set of expressive forms used in an art” (as in “the vocabulary of dance”).

Examples of vocabulary in a Sentence

the basic vocabulary of English She has learned a lot of new vocabulary. He has a somewhat limited vocabulary. Reading helped to expand her vocabulary. the vocabulary of the art world The Internet has given us a whole new vocabulary.
Recent Examples on the Web McCaskill, founding director of the Center for Black Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, said a majority of young Black signers also incorporate African American English into their vocabulary, citing signs for tripping and whack as examples. USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 The lexicon of crosswords, particularly highly visible ones like the Times’, is a public-facing compendium of that shared vocabulary. Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 At 18 months, kiddos are expanding their vocabulary, copying their adult’s every move, and playing with toys in a simple way. Christine Luff, Parents, 27 Feb. 2024 Polyamory has inspired new vocabulary to describe nontraditional relationship structures. Georgi Gardiner, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2024 In its 16th year, the program helps local students expand their vocabulary, develop confidence, boost public speaking skills and better understand Lincoln’s impact. Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024 What this new vocabulary says about your workplace. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The paintings had a small vocabulary of simple shapes (dollar bills, hearts, globes, crawling babies), applied to the picture plane with no great attention to exact placement or color, like a baker applying sprinkles to a birthday cake. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Building your vocabulary, reading books and articles and experiencing how others express themselves can give you more confidence, but also provide for learning from both positive and negative examples. Tracy Brower, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vocabulary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French vocabulaire, probably from Medieval Latin vocabularium, from neuter of vocabularius verbal, from Latin vocabulum

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocabulary was in 1532

Dictionary Entries Near vocabulary

Cite this Entry

“Vocabulary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocabulary. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vocabulary

noun
vo·​cab·​u·​lary vō-ˈkab-yə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce vocabulary (audio)
plural vocabularies
1
: a list or collection of words defined or explained
2
: a stock of words used in a language, by a group or individual, or in relation to a subject

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