CLARIFY MEANING OF WORDS USING
DICTIONARIES AND THESAURUS
There are two sources that we may use in finding the
meaning of unfamiliar words.
1. DICTIONARY provides a proper spelling of a word,
pronunciation, origin, everyday usage, and part of speech.
1. Guide words- This tells you the first and last words defined on
each page.
Example: Word to look up: bramble
2. Part of speech - This abbreviation tells you what part of speech
the defined word is.
3. Entry Word- a word or term often in distinctive type placed at
the beginning of a dictionary page.
4. Pronunciation - This is separated into syllables and tells you
how to pronounce the entry word. The ´ tells you which syllable
is stressed.
5. Definition - This explains the meaning of the entry word. If
there is more than one meaning, the definition is divided by
numbers.
6.Page Number- A number assigned to a dictionary page.
2. THESAURUS- is a tool found mostly on paperbacks, which
lists synonyms and antonyms of words. It also gives the meaning
and part of speech of a word.
Example and its parts:
1. Entry Word- a word or term often in distinctive type placed at
the beginning of a thesaurus page.
2. Definition- This explains the meaning of the entry word.
3. Synonym- is a word with almost the same meaning as the
given entry word on the thesaurus page.
4. Antonym- is a word that has the opposite meaning of the
given entry word on the thesaurus page.
Example of a word in a dictionary:
Example of a word in a thesaurus:
PROJECT
Name: Date:
1. What is a thesaurus?
a) A large dinosaur
b) A book that helps you find synonyms and antonyms
c) A type of fruit
d) A tool used for drawing straight lines
2. Which of the following is a synonym?
a) Big – Small b) Fast – Slow c) Dog – Cat
d) Happy - Sad
3. What does a thesaurus help you find?
a) Spelling mistakes b) Synonyms and
antonyms
c) Recipes d) Math problems
4. Which word is NOT a synonym for "happy"?
a) Joyful b) Sad c) Delighted
d) Cheerful
5. Which word is an antonym for "hot"?
a) Cold b) Warm c) Fire
d) Summer
6. How can a thesaurus help you improve your writing?
a) By providing different words with similar meanings
b) By teaching you how to write in cursive
c) By giving you grammar rules
d) By showing you how to draw pictures
7. What is an antonym?
a) A word that has the same meaning as another word
b) A word that sounds funny
c) A word that means the opposite of another word
d) A word that is spelled backwards
8. Which of the following pairs are antonyms?
a) Big – Large b) Happy - Joyful
c) Fast – Quick d) Open - Close
9. What is the purpose of using a thesaurus?
a) To find definitions of words
b) To learn new languages
c) To improve vocabulary and find alternative words
d) To create puzzles
10.If you wanted to find a synonym for the word "small," what
would you use?
a) A ruler
b) A dictionary
c) A magnifying glass
d) A thesaurus
Group 1 Activity
Give the needed information.
1. SUN
a. Guide words:
b. Part of speech:
c. Definition:
d. Pronunciation:
e. Use in a sentence:
2. FUNNY
a. Guide words:
b. Part of speech:
c. Definition:
d. Pronunciation:
e. Synonym
f. antonym
g. Use in a sentence:
3. CHEERFUL
a. Guide words:
b. Part of speech:
c. Definition:
d. Pronunciation:
e. Synonym
f. antonym
g. Use in a sentence:
Group 2 Activity
1. STAR
f. Guide words:
g. Part of speech:
h. Definition:
i. Pronunciation:
j. Use in a sentence:
2. AMAZING
a. Guide words:
b. Part of speech:
c. Definition:
d. Pronunciation:
e. Synonym
f. antonym
g. Use in a sentence:
3. PLENTY
a. Guide words:
b. Part of speech:
c. Definition:
d. Pronunciation:
e. Synonym
f. antonym
g. Use in a sentence:
Answers:
b) A book that helps you find synonyms and antonyms
d) Happy - Sad
b) Synonyms and antonyms
b) Sad
a) Cold
a) By providing different words with similar meanings
c) A word that means the opposite of another word
d) Open - Close
c) To improve vocabulary and find alternative words
d) A thesaurus
