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Using Your Dictionary & Thesaurus

Search Help

To search for a word in the dictionary & thesaurus, tap on your app's search icon (typically a magnifying glass), then type in a word. The most relevant results will be found in the Search Index, an alphabetical list of hyperlinks to all main entry words in the dictionary. It is placed at the start of the ebook so the search will find relevant results here first; later search results may be less useful, as they typically include every occurrence of the word in the ebook.

If your e-reading app does not have a search feature, we recommend browsing the dictionary & thesaurus instead. To do this, go to the Table of Contents and select Search Index A-Z. Select a letter, then select the link to the appropriate range of words. Scroll until you find the desired word, then tap on the hyperlink.

Guide to Entries

Dictionary content

Main entry words are printed in large bold type, eg

abbey

All main entry words, including abbreviations and combining forms, in one alphabetical sequence, eg

abbot

abbreviate

ABC¹

ABC²

abdicate

Variant spellings are shown in full:

adrenalin or adrenaline

Note: where the spellings -ize and -ization are used at the end of a word, the alternative forms -ise and -isation are equally acceptable.

Pronunciations are given in brackets for words that are difficult or confusing; the word is respelt as it is pronounced, with the stressed syllable in bold type, eg

antipodes (an-tip-pod-deez)

Parts of speech are shown in italics as an abbreviation, eg

ablaze adj

When a word can be used as more than one part of speech, the change of part of speech is shown after an arrow, eg

adept adj proficient in something requiring skill… ▸ n a person skilled in something

Parts of speech may be combined for words, eg

awash adv, adj washed over by water

Irregular parts or confusing forms of verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs are shown in bold type, eg

begin vb -ginning, -gan, -gun

regret vb -gretting, -gretted

anniversary n, pl -ries

angry adj -grier, -griest

well¹ adv better, best

Meanings are separated by numbers, eg

absorb vb 1 to soak up a liquid ◇ SYNONYMS: soak up, suck up, receive, digest, imbibe 2 to engage the interest of someone ◇ SYNONYMS: engross, involve, engage, fascinate, rivet, captivate 3 to receive the force of an impact…

Phrases and idioms are included in the meanings of the main entry word, eg

hand … 22 keep one's hand in to continue to practise something 23 (near) at hand very close 24 on hand close by; available

Related words are shown on a separate line and preceded by a > symbol, eg

absurd adj obviously senseless or illogical; ridiculous ◇ SYNONYMS: ridiculous, crazy (informal), silly, foolish, ludicrous, unreasonable, irrational, senseless > absurdity n > absurdly adv

Note: where the meaning of a related word is not given, it may be understood from the main entry word, or from another related word.

Usage labels give information about, for example, the country or subject field in which a word is used, or how formal or informal it is, eg

avocation n 1 (Brit & Austral & NZ old-fashioned) a person's regular job 2 (formal) a hobby

Thesaurus content

Alternatives are given in roman and preceded by a ◇ symbol and the word SYNONYMS, eg

actually adv as an actual fact; really ◇ SYNONYMS: really, in fact, indeed, truly, literally, genuinely, in reality, in truth

Sense numbers

Alternatives for a particular sense of an entry are shown on a separate line immediately following the definition, eg

collide vb -liding, -lided 1 to crash together violently ◇ SYNONYMS: crash, clash, meet head-on, come into collision 2 to conflict or disagree ◇ SYNONYMS: conflict, clash, be incompatible, be at variance

Where the alternatives relate to all senses of an entry, they are shown in each sense, eg

laden adj 1 loaded ◇ SYNONYMS: loaded, burdened, full, charged, weighed down, encumbered 2 burdened ◇ SYNONYMS: loaded, burdened, full, charged, weighed down, encumbered

Usage labels give information about, for example, the region in which a word or phrase is used, or how formal or informal it is, eg

leader n 1 a person who rules, guides, or inspires others; head ◇ SYNONYMS: principal, president, head, chief, boss (informal), director, manager, chairperson, sherang (Austral & NZ)