What is the difference between a dictionary a thesaurus and a encyclopedia?

Answer 1

A dictionary is a list of words, arranged alphabetically, with their meanings. A thesaurus is a list of meanings, arranged by concept, with the words that express those meanings.

If you find a copy of Roget's Thesaurus (I mean the real Roget's Thesaurus), you will find that the first entry is "Existence" (under which are listed words such as reality, actuality, absolute, true and so on) and the second is "Inexistence". Peter Mark Roget, who wrote it, said in his introduction:

The present Work is intended to supply, with respect to the English language, a desideratum hitherto unsupplied in any language; namely, a collection of the words it contains and of the idiomatic combinations peculiar to it, arranged, not in alphabetical order as they are in a Dictionary, but according to the ideas which they express. (Emphasis in original)

Roget considered that his most important creation was the rubric which categorized the meanings of all words and which was the organizing principle of the thesaurus. However, many people found the thesaurus hard to work with. Rather than start with the idea they wanted to express, they preferred to start with a similar word and look for synonyms. As a result people were looking for a Dictionary of Synonyms in which words were listed alphabetically. Nowadays what is sold under the name of "Roget's Thesaurus" is usually not in fact a thesaurus at all, but a Dictionary of Synonyms (and often of Antonyms). Roget would turn over in his grave.

Answer 2

A dictionary provides definitions and meanings of words, a thesaurus offers synonyms and antonyms for words, and an encyclopedia provides detailed information on a wide range of topics. Dictionaries and thesauruses focus on language, while encyclopedias cover a broader range of subjects.

Answer 3

Difference Between a Dictionary and a Thesaurus

A dictionary gives the meaning of a word. A thesaurus tells you the word in different ways but has the same meaning of the word you want. for example, if you look up sad in a thesaurus, it would probably say: SAD: UPSET, TEARFUL, DREADED, etc. okay

Answer 4

The Dictionary is used to find the definition and pronunciation of a word.

The Thesaurus is used, most often, to find synonyms (different words that mean something similar) of a word.

Most dictionaries contain an abbreviated thesaurus as well as the definition(s) of a word.

Many thesaurus' also contain antonyms (words meaning the opposite of the original word) in addition to the synonyms.

Answer 5

thesaurus: gives synonyms

dictionary: brief definitions

encyclopedia: definition plus etymology plus discussion, history, general information, etc.; including articles on people, places, events etc.

Answer 6

A dictionary define things, gives you the meanings of words.

A thesaurus gives you alternate words which mean the same things.

So it really depends on what your trying to do.

Answer 7

An encyclopedia gives detailed descriptions and a thesaurus lists words with the same meaning.

Answer 8

No, a thesaurus is not the same as a dictionary. A dictionary gives the definitions of words and a thesaurus gives synonyms of words.

Answer 9

A thesaurus gives synonyms and antonyms of words, while an atlas has maps telling all about the world

Answer 10

A dictionary gives the meanings of words.

A thesaurus gives synonyms (words that mean the same) of words.

An encyclopedia gives information on a certain topic.