vocabulary

Borrowed from Late Latin vocābulārium, French vocabulaire. See vocable.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /vəʊˈkæbjʊləɹɪ/, /vəˈkæbjʊləɹɪ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /voʊˈkæbjəlɛɹi/, /vəˈkæbjəlɛɹi/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: vo‧cab‧u‧lary

vocabulary (countable and uncountable, plural vocabularies)

1. A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning.
2. The collection of words a person knows and uses.

   My Russian vocabulary is very limited.

3. The stock of words used in a particular field.

   The vocabulary of social sciences is often incomprehensible to ordinary people.

4. The words of a language collectively.

   The vocabulary of any language is influenced by contacts with other cultures.

5. A range of artistic or stylistic forms or techniques

• clavis
• glossary
• idioticon

• dictionary
• lexicon
• wordhoard

• defining vocabulary
• controlled vocabulary
• extended vocabulary

• vocable
• vocal