πŸ“š Understanding How to Use Dictionary Definitions

A dictionary is a special book or online tool that helps you find the meanings of words. When you come across a word you don’t know, a dictionary can explain what it means, how to say it, and sometimes how to use it in a sentence. Using dictionary definitions is an important skill that helps you improve your reading and writing in English.

πŸ”€ What Is a Dictionary?

A dictionary lists words in alphabetical order, from A to Z. This means the words are organised by the first letter, then the second letter, and so on. For example, the word “apple” comes before “banana” because “a” comes before “b” in the alphabet.

πŸ”Ž How to Look Up Words Alphabetically

To find a word in a dictionary:

  1. Think of the first letter of the word you want.
  2. Turn to that part of the dictionary.
  3. Check the next letters in order until you find your word.

If you want to look up the word “elephant,” you would first go to the section with words starting with “e,” then within that, look between “el” and “em” until you find “elephant.”

πŸ”Š Reading Phonetic Transcriptions

Next to each word in a dictionary, you will often see symbols that show how to say the word. These are called phonetic transcriptions, and they use special characters to explain the sounds. They might look tricky, but they help you pronounce words correctly.

For example, the word “cat” might have the phonetic transcription /kΓ¦t/. This means you sound it like “kat.” If you practise reading these symbols, you can learn to say new words with confidence.

✍️ Using Definitions to Improve Reading and Writing

The dictionary definition tells you what a word means. When you know the meaning, it’s easier to understand what you read. Also, when you write, you can choose the right word to explain your ideas clearly.

For example, if you look up the word “brave,” the definition might say “showing courage and not afraid.” Now, when you read a story and see “brave,” you will know the character is not scared. If you want to describe someone who is brave in your own writing, you can use that word with confidence.

πŸ“– Study Tips for Using Dictionaries

  • Always try to guess the meaning of a word first, then check the dictionary to see if you were right.
  • Practice saying the phonetic transcription out loud.
  • Use new words you learn in your writing or speaking to remember their meanings.
  • Keep a small notebook of new words and their definitions.

Using a dictionary helps you become a better reader and writer by understanding words clearly and using them correctly. Remember, every word you learn makes your English stronger! πŸ’ͺ

πŸ“ 20 Examination-Style Questions and Answers on Using Dictionary Definitions

Using a dictionary is a key skill in Year 6 English to find meanings, synonyms, antonyms, pronunciation, and proper usage of words. The following 20 exam-style questions will help you practise using dictionary definitions. Each question is followed by an answer and explanation to support your revision and understanding.

❓ Questions

  1. What is the meaning of the word “enormous” according to a dictionary?
  2. Find a synonym for the word “happy” using a dictionary.
  3. What is the opposite (antonym) of the word “create” according to the dictionary?
  4. How do you pronounce the word “courageous”? Write the pronunciation as shown in a dictionary.
  5. Use the word “fragile” in a sentence correctly based on its dictionary definition.
  6. What part of speech is the word “quickly” according to the dictionary?
  7. Find the meaning of the word “beneath” in a dictionary.
  8. What is a synonym of “difficult” using the dictionary?
  9. What is the antonym of the word “ancient” according to the dictionary?
  10. How is the word “acceptable” pronounced? Write the phonetic spelling.
  11. Use the word “predict” properly in a sentence based on its dictionary meaning.
  12. What part of speech is the word “beautiful” according to its dictionary entry?
  13. What does the word “observe” mean according to the dictionary?
  14. Find a synonym for “bright” using a dictionary.
  15. What is the antonym of the word “fail” according to a dictionary?
  16. How would you pronounce the word “honest”? Write the pronunciation guide.
  17. Use the word “expand” in a sentence, using the dictionary definition.
  18. What part of speech is the word “carefully” according to a dictionary?
  19. What does the word “support” mean according to the dictionary?
  20. Find a synonym for the word “quick” using the dictionary.

βœ… Answers and Explanations

  1. Meaning of “enormous”: Very large in size or amount.
    Explanation: The dictionary defines enormous as something extremely big.
  2. Synonym for “happy”: Cheerful.
    Explanation: A dictionary lists cheerful as a similar meaning to happy.
  3. Antonym of “create”: Destroy.
    Explanation: According to the dictionary, destroy means to ruin something created.
  4. Pronunciation of “courageous”: /kΙ™ΛˆreΙͺdΚ’Ι™s/
    Explanation: The phonetic spelling shows how to say the word.
  5. Sentence for “fragile”: Be careful with that vase because it is fragile and can break easily.
    Explanation: Fragile means easily broken.
  6. Part of speech for “quickly”: Adverb.
    Explanation: Quickly describes how something is done, so it is an adverb.
  7. Meaning of “beneath”: Under or below something.
    Explanation: Beneath means something is lower than or covered by something else.
  8. Synonym for “difficult”: Hard.
    Explanation: Hard means not easy, just like difficult.
  9. Antonym of “ancient”: Modern.
    Explanation: Among dictionary opposites, ancient means very old and modern means new.
  10. Pronunciation of “acceptable”: /Ι™kˈseptΙ™bl/
    Explanation: The dictionary shows this phonetic spelling for correct pronunciation.
  11. Sentence for “predict”: The weather forecast helps us predict if it will rain tomorrow.
    Explanation: Predict means to say what will happen in the future.
  12. Part of speech for “beautiful”: Adjective.
    Explanation: Beautiful describes a noun, so it is an adjective.
  13. Meaning of “observe”: To watch carefully or notice something.
    Explanation: The dictionary says observe means looking closely or paying attention.
  14. Synonym for “bright”: Shiny.
    Explanation: Bright means giving off lots of light, which is similar to shiny.
  15. Antonym of “fail”: Succeed.
    Explanation: Fail means to not do something well, and succeed means to do it well.
  16. Pronunciation of “honest”: /ΛˆΙ’nΙͺst/
    Explanation: The dictionary gives this phonetic spelling.
  17. Sentence for “expand”: The company plans to expand its business next year.
    Explanation: Expand means to grow or get bigger.
  18. Part of speech for “carefully”: Adverb.
    Explanation: Carefully describes how an action is done.
  19. Meaning of “support”: To help or hold up something.
    Explanation: According to the dictionary, support means giving help or holding something steady.
  20. Synonym for “quick”: Fast.
    Explanation: Quick and fast both mean to do something rapidly.

Use these questions and answers to practise looking up words in a dictionary properly. Understanding dictionary definitions will improve your vocabulary and help you use words correctly in writing and speaking! 🌟