catalogue
KAT-uh-log
Catalogue (noun) means an organised list of items, such as books, products, or artworks, often arranged alphabetically or by category. Example: “The auction house sent out a catalogue listing every painting for sale.”
noun
1
An organised list of items, such as books, products, or artworks, often arranged alphabetically or by category.
"The auction house sent out a catalogue listing every painting for sale."
"She flicked through the furniture catalogue looking for a new sofa."
"The library catalogue lets you search by author or title."
verb
1
To create an organised list of items, or add items to an existing one.
"She spent the weekend cataloguing her father's vinyl records by artist."
"Volunteers will catalogue every book donated to the village library."
"The museum spent months cataloguing the newly discovered artefacts."
How to use catalogue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA systematic list of items, or the act of compiling one.
UK vs US
British English spells it "catalogue"; American English commonly uses "catalog."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
product catalogue
catalogue a collection
mail-order catalogue
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Word forms
- Plural
- catalogues
- Third person singular
- catalogues
- Past tense
- catalogued
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The auction house sent out a _____ listing every painting for sale.
Etymology
From Old French catalogue, from Late Latin catalogus, from Ancient Greek katalogos, "a list or register."
Related words
Rhymes for catalogue
See all rhymes for catalogue →Frequently asked questions
What does “catalogue” mean?
The word “catalogue” means an organised list of items, such as books, products, or artworks, often arranged alphabetically or by category. In plain terms, a systematic list of items, or the act of compiling one.
How do you pronounce “catalogue”?
“Catalogue” is pronounced KAT-uh-log (/ˈkæt.əˌlɔɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “catalogue” in a sentence?
Here is “catalogue” used in a sentence: “She flicked through the furniture catalogue looking for a new sofa.”
What part of speech is “catalogue”?
Depending on how it is used, “catalogue” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “catalogue” come from?
The word “catalogue” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French catalogue, from Late Latin catalogus, from Ancient Greek katalogos, "a list or register.".
Is “catalogue” a common word?
“Catalogue” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “catalogue” have?
“Catalogue” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an organised list of items, such as books, products, or artworks, often arranged alphabetically or by category.
What is the difference between "catalogue" and "catalog"?
"Catalogue" and "catalog" are the same word spelled differently. "Catalogue" is the standard British spelling, while "catalog" is the common American spelling; both refer to an organised list of items such as books, products, or artworks.
What is the difference between a "catalogue" and an "inventory"?
A catalogue is an organised, often public list that describes items such as books, products, or artworks, usually to help people find or choose them. An inventory is a working record of the stock a business or person currently holds, focused on quantities rather than description.
What is the difference between a "catalogue" and a "directory"?
A catalogue lists items such as goods, books, or artworks, often with descriptions and prices. A directory lists people, organisations, or addresses, such as a phone directory, and is arranged mainly for locating contacts rather than choosing products.
What words commonly pair with "catalogue"?
As a noun, "catalogue" appears in phrases such as "product catalogue", "library catalogue", "mail-order catalogue", and "exhibition catalogue". As a verb it commonly takes objects, as in "catalogue the collection" or "catalogue the findings".
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