Vocabulary — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /vō-ˈka-byə-ˌler-ē/ vo·cab·u·lary

Meaning & Definition of Vocabulary

Vocabulary (noun)

  1. a list or collection of words or of words and phrases usually alphabetically arranged and explained or defined, lexicon
  2. a sum or stock of words employed by a language, group, individual, or work or in a field of knowledge
  3. a list or collection of terms or codes available for use (as in an indexing system)

Vocabulary (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field

    "scientific vocabulary"

    similar: argot, cant, dialect, jargon, jive, language, lingo, patois, patter, shop, shoptalk, slang, terminology
    related: colloquial, colloquialism, idiom, localism, parlance, pidgin, provincialism, regionalism, speech, vernacular, vernacularism, slanguage, bureaucratese, computerese, cyberspeak, educationese, governmentese, journalese, technobabble

  2. the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication

    "children learn enough of the common vocabulary to make themselves understood by around the age of two"

    similar: language, lingo, mother tongue, speech, tongue
    related: acrolect, argot, cant, colloquial, dialect, idiolect, idiom, jargon, parlance, patois, patter, pidgin, slang, slanguage, vernacular, colloquialism, localism, provincialism, regionalism, shibboleth, vernacularism, terminology, coinage, modernism, neologism

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Vocabulary

The most common words with a similar meaning to Vocabulary:

argot, cant, dialect, jargon, jive, language, lingo, patois, patter, shop, shoptalk, slang, terminology, mother tongue, speech, tongue

Related Words for Vocabulary

colloquial, colloquialism, idiom, localism, parlance, pidgin, provincialism, regionalism, vernacular, vernacularism, slanguage, bureaucratese, computerese, cyberspeak, educationese, governmentese, journalese, technobabble, acrolect, idiolect, shibboleth, coinage, modernism, neologism

Word Forms of Vocabulary

Inflections: vocabularies

Origin & Etymology of Vocabulary

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

First known use: 1532

Words & Phrases Containing Vocabulary

vocabulary entry, International Scientific Vocabulary, active vocabulary, not in someone's vocabulary, passive vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions about Vocabulary

What does "Vocabulary" mean?

"Vocabulary" means a list or collection of words or of words and phrases usually alphabetically arranged and explained or defined, lexicon. As a noun, it is defined as: a list or collection of words or of words and phrases usually alphabetically arranged and explained or defined, lexicon. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Vocabulary"?

Other words for "Vocabulary" include argot, cant, dialect, jargon, jive, language, lingo and patois. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Vocabulary" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Vocabulary"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Vocabulary". Common alternatives include argot, cant, dialect, jargon, jive, language, lingo, patois, patter and shop.

How do you use "Vocabulary" in a sentence?

Examples of "Vocabulary" in a sentence: "scientific vocabulary"; "children learn enough of the common vocabulary to make themselves understood by around the age of two".

Is "Vocabulary" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Vocabulary" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Vocabulary"?

"Vocabulary" is pronounced /vō-ˈka-byə-ˌler-ē/ and divided into syllables as vo·cab·u·lary.

What is the origin of the word "Vocabulary"?

"Vocabulary" comes from Middle French vocabulaire, probably from Medieval Latin vocabularium, from neuter of vocabularius verbal, from Latin vocabulum. First known use: 1532.

What is another word for "Vocabulary" meaning "the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field"?

When "Vocabulary" (noun) means the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field, synonyms include argot, cant, dialect, jargon, jive and language.