Glossary: Definition, Usage & Examples Explained

Meaning 1：vocabulary list (glossary)

glossary 🔊

/ˈɡlɔːsəri/

A list that explains special or hard words, often found at the end of a book or for a specific subject, helping readers understand new terms.

Glossary example in a textbook showing term definitions in a clear list format

vocabulary list 🔊

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/vəˈkæbjəˌleri lɪst/

A list of specialized or technical terms with their definitions, typically found at the end of a book or document to aid understanding.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'glossarium', a collection of glosses (explanations of hard words).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'gloss' as giving a shiny, clear explanation to make a word's meaning transparent.

📖 Example

If you don't understand a scientific term while reading, just flip to the glossary at the back of the textbook for a simple explanation. 🔊 If you don't understand a scientific term while reading, just flip to the glossary at the back of the textbook for a simple explanation.

🔗 Collocations

comprehensive glossary – a very complete and thorough list of terms and definitions

technical glossary – a list explaining terms specific to a particular field or subject

compile a glossary – to create or put together a list of terms and their meanings

🔄 Synonyms

lexicon (n.) – The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge; can also mean a dictionary.

vocabulary (n.) – A list or collection of words and phrases, often with explanations.

terminology (n.) – The body of terms used with a particular technical application in a subject of study.

🌱 Derivatives

glossarial (adj.) – Relating to or of the nature of a glossary.

📖 Cultural Story

Originated from medieval Latin 'glossarium', referring to collections of annotations written in the margins of manuscripts to explain difficult words or passages, often in classical texts.