compendium
6 synonyms for compendium, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A collection of detailed information on a subject, gathered into a single book or document, especially one arranged for easy reference.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use compendium
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a compendium of
a useful compendium
compendium volume
Slightly formal; common in titles of reference works.
Etymology
From Latin compendium "a saving, a shortening", from compendere "to weigh together".
Full origin of compendium →Frequently asked questions
What is the plural of compendium?
Both compendiums and compendia are correct. Compendiums is the more common everyday plural; compendia keeps the Latin form and is usual in academic and library contexts.
What is the difference between a compendium and an anthology?
An anthology gathers complete works — poems, stories, essays — chosen for their quality. A compendium gathers information about a subject and organises it for reference, so it is more likely to be summarised, condensed and indexed than reprinted whole.
Does a compendium have to be short?
The Latin root suggests condensing, and a compendium does aim to save the reader effort, but the modern sense stresses completeness. Many compendiums run to hundreds of pages because they cover a whole field in one place.
