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Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [dictionary]

This tag should be used for questions that deal with dictionaries, such as questions looking for specific resources that can be used by an author to expand their vocabulary.

This tag should be used for questions that deal with dictionaries, such as questions looking for specific resources that can be used by an author to expand their vocabulary.

You might want to add tags that identify what genre you are writing in, such as or , or for example whether you are searching for or that can help an author.

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A rhyming dictionary worth bookmarking online or purchasing?

Has anyone come across any really good rhyming dictionaries? If so, what makes it worth having/bookmarking? (eg. completeness/ease of use/absence of really sketchy suggestions)
mootinator
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What does "(ph)" mean when written after a transcribed word?

In the block quote below I've added an excerpt from an interview transcript with the author of "The First Norton Anthology of World Religions." The transcript has different words for God and "(ph)" noted after those words. What is the meaning of…
RJo
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What linguistic tools do you use?

I've got a Flip Dictionary, a Thesaurus, my trusty Strunk&White, and I use the almighty GOOG(le) should I ever be unsure of the definition of a word. What does everyone else use? Is there some handy reference that I'm missing? I'm not really…
Satanicpuppy
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Is there any tool that gives us a list of verbs often used with a certain word?

Is there any tool that gives you a list of verbs often used with a certain word? Sometimes, you forget certain words so you spend time trying to remember and it can be really frustrating at times. Is there a dictionary or thesaurus that does that?…
puffofsmoke
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Finding words through meanings

Is there a place or a type of dictionary or even a good method, that instead of searching for a word, I can search for a meaning and get more words that have similar idea or meaning? For example, if I had an idea in my mind say, "walk up the bus". I…
xenon
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How can I search for words by meaning/definition?

Where can I search for words using descriptive sentences? For example, now I'm looking for a word meaning "to purify (by hand) a quantity of grain and take away anything that isn't good grain." How could I get words like that? I know it in my…
Mussri
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Resources: Dictionaries of Australian English

I know that Australian English has many spellings in common with British English, but (as with Canadian English) the two are not identical. Are there standard, authoritative dictionaries for Australian English? Now, I prefer Merrian-Webster when…
Goodbye Stack Exchange
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What are some words for sound coming from somewhere?

I am learning/ trying to write a novel but I'm facing this problem. Whenever sound comes from somewhere (for example, from behind a closed door), I don't know how to describe it. I just end up writing "came from behind the closed door." What are…
Arcweeb
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Picture-based Identification Dictionary

A long time ago, I dropped by a session of a creative writing course where the teacher brought a lot of reference books. One of them was a lovely picture/sketch-based identification dictionary. There were vivid drawings of a Regency ballroom, and…
ina
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How to discover clichés

What is the best way to find out if a certain phrase is considered a cliché? Is there an online resource, a specialized dictionary-like lookup? EDIT I found these so far: Cliché Finder Movie Clichés
Cliff Hangerson Page
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Does Wiktionary supply what writers need in an online dictionary?

There are actually Wiktionaries for many languages and the English Wiktionary also defines and translates words of many other languages. But ignoring these other languages, have you tried the English Wiktionary and do you find it to be a good…
hippietrail
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Way to create an interactive dictionary for Google Docs?

I'm using Google Docs to both write a story and to create a dictionary of sorts for ease of writing. I'm trying to figure out a way that I can either have a word suggestion box pop up on Google Docs with the list of words I have in my descriptive…
Summersunset6698
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How to add a new word to the dictionary

Background Okay, so I've decided now is my personal time to shine! I have thought of a great new word, and want to add it to the dictionary. Theoretically, if enough people read my book and see this word in it, and people use it, then a lexicologist…
Featherball
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Is it better to create a new word, or add anew connotation to an already existing word? Does it matter?

This question arose from another question I asked on the English Language & Usage Stack: "Is there a specific name for that singular exhalation laugh that happens when you read something only slightly funny?" The answers given on that question lead…
Curious Layman
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What's the word that means the same as 'compatriots/fellow citizens' but is in a more close-knit and affectionate way?

I'm writing about Vietnamese culture and I want to use a word that is synonymous to compatriots/fellow citizens but the relationship it refers to here must be more intense and intimate like blood relatives as it would reflect the Vietnamese culture…
Hai Duong
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