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vocabulary

noun
vo·​cab·​u·​lary | \ vō-ˈka-byə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce vocabulary (audio) , və-\
plural vocabularies

Definition of vocabulary

1 : a list or collection of words or of words and phrases usually alphabetically arranged and explained or defined : lexicon The vocabulary for the week is posted online every Monday.
2a : a sum or stock of words employed by a language, group, individual, or work or in a field of knowledge a child with a large vocabulary the vocabulary of physicians a writer known for employing a rich vocabulary
b : a list or collection of terms or codes available for use (as in an indexing system) … the oldest Sumerian cuneiform writing could not render normal prose but was a mere telegraphic shorthand, whose vocabulary was restricted to names, numerals, units of measure, words for objects counted, and a few adjectives.— Jared Diamon
3 : a supply of expressive techniques or devices (as of an art form) an impressive musical vocabulary
Synonyms The Vocabulary of Vocabulary More Example Sentences Learn More about vocabulary

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The Vocabulary of Vocabulary

For many people, the word vocabulary is primarily associated with the number of words that a person knows; one either has a large or a small vocabulary. But the word has many shades of meaning and is nicely representative of the nuanced and multi-hued nature of so much of the English lexicon.

Vocabulary may indeed refer to the collection of words known by an individual or by a large group of people. It may also signify the body of specialized terms in a field of study or activity (“the vocabulary of science”). It may designate a physical object, such as a book, in which a collection of (usually alphabetized) words is defined or explained. And it may name things other than words, such as “a list or collection of terms or codes available for use,” “a set or list of nonverbal symbols” (such as marine alphabet flag signals), and “a set of expressive forms used in an art” (as in “the vocabulary of dance”).

Examples of vocabulary in a Sentence

the basic vocabulary of English She has learned a lot of new vocabulary. He has a somewhat limited vocabulary. Reading helped to expand her vocabulary. the vocabulary of the art world The Internet has given us a whole new vocabulary.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Keynote is one word in a symphony of musical metaphors that sing throughout our everyday vocabulary. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Our melodious English language is music to our ears," 31 Aug. 2019 Marie was an energetic toddler who, frustrated by her limited vocabulary, often threw tantrums. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "She’s been bounced through more than a dozen foster homes. And she’s just 6," 24 Aug. 2019 Protecting other paradises For residents in high-risk areas of California, fires are a terrifying reality, with their own vocabulary of defensible space, home-hardening and ember storms. — Taylor Kate Brown, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Briefing: The Trump tax change CA Dems actually like," 20 June 2019 An American daring to take on the Europeans with his own jewelry vocabulary was a turning point. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "T&C Exclusive: The New Owner of an Iconic American Jewel is Revealed," 15 Apr. 2019 By working together from the beginning stages of construction, BGD&C and Studio Gild were able to establish a coherent aesthetic vocabulary early on. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Inside a Luxe Lincoln Park Home that Sacrifices Nothing," 16 Aug. 2019 Research suggests that if a parent reads out aloud to their children for 15 minutes every day, up to the age of 3, a child can develop a subconscious vocabulary of 157,000 words. — Manavi Kapur, Quartz India, "One woman is transforming libraries to make lifelong readers out of Indian children," 9 Aug. 2019 These longer stories with a vivid vocabulary are great for bigger kids past the age for picture books but who still love a good bedtime story. — Frannie Ucciferri, Washington Post, "Common Sense Media shares 25 great podcasts for kids," 6 Aug. 2019 The axis of the culture war in this country has shifted to national identity, immigration policy, and citizenship, and requires a new vocabulary. — Rich Lowry, National Review, "‘Cosmopolitan’ Is a Perfectly Fine Word for Cosmopolitans," 23 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vocabulary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vocabulary

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for vocabulary

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

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More Definitions for vocabulary

vocabulary

noun
How to pronounce vocabulary (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of vocabulary

: the words that make up a language
: all of the words known and used by a person
: words that are related to a particular subject

See the full definition for vocabulary in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vocabulary

noun
vo·​cab·​u·​lary | \ vō-ˈka-byə-ˌler-ē How to pronounce vocabulary (audio) \
plural vocabularies

Kids Definition of vocabulary

1 : a list or collection of words and their meanings
2 : the words used in a language, by a group or individual, or in relation to a subject

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More from Merriam-Webster on vocabulary

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with vocabulary

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vocabulary

Spanish Central: Translation of vocabulary

Nglish: Translation of vocabulary for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of vocabulary for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vocabulary

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