noun
glossary
GLOSS-uh-ree
Glossary (noun) means an alphabetical list of specialist or unfamiliar terms with short explanations, usually placed at the back of a book or on a website. Example: “There is a glossary of legal terms at the end of the report.”
noun
1
An alphabetical list of specialist or unfamiliar terms with short explanations, usually placed at the back of a book or on a website.
"There is a glossary of legal terms at the end of the report."
"New starters are given a glossary of the company's acronyms."
How to use glossary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short list explaining the difficult words used in something.
When to use it
Neutral and standard in publishing, education and technical writing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
glossary of terms
see the glossary
compile a glossary
glossary entry
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There is a _____ of legal terms at the end of the report.
Etymology
From Latin glossarium, from glossa, an obscure or foreign word needing explanation, borrowed from Greek glossa, 'tongue, language'.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for glossary
See all rhymes for glossary →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a glossary and a dictionary?
A dictionary aims to cover a whole language and gives pronunciation, word class, etymology and multiple senses. A glossary is much narrower: it explains only the terms used in one book, field or organisation, and the explanations are usually a line or two.
What is the difference between a glossary and an index?
A glossary explains what terms mean; an index tells you which pages they appear on. Many books carry both, with the glossary first and the index last.
Where does a glossary go in a book?
Conventionally in the back matter, after the main text and before the index or bibliography. Textbooks sometimes place short glossaries at the end of each chapter instead, so readers meet the terms in context.
What is the meaning of glossary?
"glossary" (noun) means an alphabetical list of specialist or unfamiliar terms with short explanations, usually placed at the back of a book or on a website.
