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Definition of vocabulary noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

      

    vocabulary

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//voʊˈkæbyəˌlɛri//
     
    , NAmE//vəˈkæbyəˌlɛri//
     
    [countable, uncountable] (pl. vocabularies)
     
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  1. 1all the words that a person knows or uses to have a wide/limited vocabulary your active vocabulary (= the words that you use) your passive vocabulary (= the words that you understand but don't use) Reading will increase your vocabulary. The word “failure” is not in his vocabulary (= for him, failure does not exist). see defining vocabulary Thesauruslanguage
    • vocabulary
    • terms
    • wording
    • terminology
    These are all terms for the words and expressions people use when they speak or write, or for a particular style of speaking or writing.
    • language a particular style of speaking or writing:Give your instructions in everyday language. the language of the legal profession
    • vocabulary all the words that a person knows or uses, or all the words in a particular language; the words that people use when they are talking about a particular subject:to have a large/wide/limited vocabulary The word has become part of everyday vocabulary.
    • terms a way of expressing yourself or of saying something:I'll try to explain in simple terms.
    • wording [usually sing.] the words that are used in a piece of writing or a speech, especially when they have been carefully chosen:It was the standard form of wording for a wedding invitation.
    • terminology (somewhat formal) the set of technical words or expressions used in a particular subject; words used with particular meanings:medical terminology Scientists are constantly developing new terminologies. Literary/poetic terminology is used for talking about literature or poetry. Literary/poetic language is used for writing in a literary or poetic style.
    Patterns
    • formal/informal/simple/everyday language/vocabulary/terms
    • business/scientific/technical/specialized language/vocabulary/terminology
    • A word enters the language/the vocabulary.
  2. 2all the words in a particular language When did the word “bungalow” first enter the vocabulary? Thesauruslanguage
    • vocabulary
    • terms
    • wording
    • terminology
    These are all terms for the words and expressions people use when they speak or write, or for a particular style of speaking or writing.
    • language a particular style of speaking or writing:Give your instructions in everyday language. the language of the legal profession
    • vocabulary all the words that a person knows or uses, or all the words in a particular language; the words that people use when they are talking about a particular subject:to have a large/wide/limited vocabulary The word has become part of everyday vocabulary.
    • terms a way of expressing yourself or of saying something:I'll try to explain in simple terms.
    • wording [usually sing.] the words that are used in a piece of writing or a speech, especially when they have been carefully chosen:It was the standard form of wording for a wedding invitation.
    • terminology (somewhat formal) the set of technical words or expressions used in a particular subject; words used with particular meanings:medical terminology Scientists are constantly developing new terminologies. Literary/poetic terminology is used for talking about literature or poetry. Literary/poetic language is used for writing in a literary or poetic style.
    Patterns
    • formal/informal/simple/everyday language/vocabulary/terms
    • business/scientific/technical/specialized language/vocabulary/terminology
    • A word enters the language/the vocabulary.
  3. 3the words that people use when they are talking about a particular subject The word has become part of advertising vocabulary. Thesauruslanguage
    • vocabulary
    • terms
    • wording
    • terminology
    These are all terms for the words and expressions people use when they speak or write, or for a particular style of speaking or writing.
    • language a particular style of speaking or writing:Give your instructions in everyday language. the language of the legal profession
    • vocabulary all the words that a person knows or uses, or all the words in a particular language; the words that people use when they are talking about a particular subject:to have a large/wide/limited vocabulary The word has become part of everyday vocabulary.
    • terms a way of expressing yourself or of saying something:I'll try to explain in simple terms.
    • wording [usually sing.] the words that are used in a piece of writing or a speech, especially when they have been carefully chosen:It was the standard form of wording for a wedding invitation.
    • terminology (somewhat formal) the set of technical words or expressions used in a particular subject; words used with particular meanings:medical terminology Scientists are constantly developing new terminologies. Literary/poetic terminology is used for talking about literature or poetry. Literary/poetic language is used for writing in a literary or poetic style.
    Patterns
    • formal/informal/simple/everyday language/vocabulary/terms
    • business/scientific/technical/specialized language/vocabulary/terminology
    • A word enters the language/the vocabulary.
  4. 4(informal vocab
    NAmE//ˈvoʊkæb//
     
    )     a list of words with their meanings, especially in a book for learning a foreign language
See vocabulary in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: vocabulary

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