Difference Between Dictionary and Thesaurus

Introduction

Thesaurus and dictionary are two important resources that help with understanding word definitions in a language. However, they differ in how they present this information.

From a linguistic perspective, both the dictionary and thesaurus are categorized as nouns. Interestingly, the plural form of thesaurus can be either thesauri or thesauruses. Dictionaries are primarily utilized by language learners to explore definitions, pronunciations, and spellings of words. On the other hand, writers often rely on the thesaurus to discover synonyms and antonyms, enabling them to enhance their vocabulary and avoid repetition. This article will delve into the definitions of both the dictionary and thesaurus, their contents, and the distinctions between the two.

Dictionary

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a dictionary is a resource that provides a comprehensive list of words in a language, typically arranged in alphabetical order, along with their meanings.

It may also include information about pronunciation, origin, and usage. Essentially, a dictionary serves as a valuable tool for understanding the etymology and grammar of a language.

In addition to definitions, a dictionary often contains supplementary details such as gender and parts of speech. This means that when looking up a specific word, you can also learn about its gender, the category of speech it belongs to, and its etymological roots. For instance, if you search for the word "boy," a dictionary would inform you that it is a common noun, specifically a noun referring to a male child.

Furthermore, dictionaries can shed light on the origins of words. They provide insights into how words have evolved over time and their historical roots. Additionally, there are dictionaries available that offer translations or equivalents of words in different languages, such as English to French or English to German dictionaries. These resources facilitate cross-linguistic understanding and communication.

Thesaurus

A thesaurus serves as an etymological dictionary that provides definitions of words. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a thesaurus is described as "a book that organizes words into groups of synonyms and related concepts."

It offers a wealth of information on words that share similar meanings to the word in question. Essentially, a thesaurus offers both synonyms and antonyms. Synonyms are words with the same meaning, while antonyms provide words with opposite meanings.

Many individuals, especially writers, utilize a thesaurus to explore synonyms and antonyms. Typically, a thesaurus does not delve into the origins of words or provide extensive information on etymology. Similarly, it does not usually include additional details on word origins. Instead, a thesaurus contains valuable information on various word forms, including nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

Thesaurus vs Dictionary

A dictionary is a publication that compiles a comprehensive list of words from a particular language, typically arranged in alphabetical order, along with their definitions and usage examples.

On the other hand, a thesaurus serves as a reference tool that presents a categorized inventory of synonyms and their corresponding antonyms.

Dictionaries are frequently utilized to discover the definitions, pronunciations, and spellings of words. On the other hand, writers often turn to a thesaurus to locate synonyms and antonyms, enabling them to enhance their vocabulary and avoid repetition.

Furthermore, dictionaries can be found in multiple languages, such as the English to French Dictionary, which provides a compilation of words in one language along with their translations. However, this is typically not the case with a thesaurus.

History

The world's first dictionary has a long history with various examples from different cultures. The Akkadian Empire in modern Syria had a bilingual word list dating back to 2300 BCE.

In China, a monolingual word list from the 3rd century is considered one of the earliest examples. Arabic dictionaries organized in rhyme order were prevalent between the 8th and 14th centuries. Early English dictionaries were bilingual glossaries in French, Italian, or Latin.

The first purely English alphabetical dictionary, A Table Alphabetically, was created by Robert Cawdrey in 1604. Samuel Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language was a trusted source for about 150 years until the Oxford English Dictionary was published in 1928. The Oxford English Dictionary is now widely regarded as the most reliable dictionary in the world.

In the realm of thesauruses, Philo of Byblos is credited with writing one of the earliest examples. The Amarakosha, a thesaurus in verse form written in Sanskrit in the 4th century, is another early instance. The modern thesaurus genre was established with the compilation of Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget in 1805, which was published in 1852. Roget's Thesaurus organizes entries conceptually rather than alphabetically.

Trivia

• The first thesaurus, Roget's Thesaurus, was published in 1852, but its compilation by Peter Roget began in 1805. Unlike traditional alphabetical listings, Roget's Thesaurus organizes its entries conceptually.
• The Shuowen Jiezi, written around 100 CE, is the first dictionary of the Chinese language. Japanese dictionaries have their origins traced back to 682 CE.
• The first English alphabetical dictionary emerged in the 17th century. Before that, alphabetical ordering was rare, and dictionaries were mainly organized by topic. For example, animals would be grouped together under a single topic.

Difference Between Dictionary and Thesaurus

Conclusion

Dictionaries offer detailed word definitions, pronunciations, and spellings, while thesauruses group words by synonyms and related concepts. Dictionaries help understand language, while thesauruses aid writers in expanding their vocabulary with synonyms and antonyms.