vocabulary

noun

vo·​cab·​u·​lary vō-ˈka-byə-ˌler-ē 

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

Did you know?

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”).

Synonyms

• argot
• cant
• dialect
• jargon
• jive
• language
• lingo
• patois
• patter
• shop
• shoptalk
• slang
• terminology

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

Interestingly, the study also found that this capacity for understanding wasn’t limited to dogs with a large vocabulary of object names. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Meanwhile, boost their vocabulary with 50% off the LeapFrog Learning Friend’s 100 Words Book that over 10,000 Amazon shoppers have purchased in the last month. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024

Four years and an ESG backlash later, ESG has disappeared from Fink's vocabulary, and the new letter mentions sustainability just once. —Peter Vanham, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024

Many linguists think the vocabulary paints a picture of pastoralists — nomadic herders — who used horses and wagons. —Kurt Kleiner, Discover Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024

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

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

Phrases Containing vocabulary

• active vocabulary
• not in someone's vocabulary
• passive vocabulary
• vocabulary entry

Kids Definition

vocabulary

noun

vo·​cab·​u·​lary vō-ˈkab-yə-ˌler-ē 

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