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Learn how to use a dictionary to find the right spelling of any word — like a detective with a super-powered word book!
Have you ever tried to write a word but weren't sure how to spell it? Maybe you wrote "becuz" instead of "because." You are not alone! People have been trying to spell words correctly for hundreds of years. That is why dictionaries were invented — they are books that list words in alphabetical order and show you how to spell them.
So here is the big question this lesson answers: How do you use a dictionary to find a word and check its spelling? Let's find out!
Before we open a dictionary, let's learn four important ideas. These will make it much easier to find any word you need.
Let's take a look at what a dictionary page really looks like. The picture below shows the most important parts. Notice the guide words at the top, the entry words in bold, and the definitions (meanings) next to them.
In the diagram above, the guide words at the top are "bark" and "bear." This means every word on this page comes between "bark" and "bear" in alphabetical order. The entry word "beach" is highlighted — that's the word we looked up! Next to it, you can see the definition that tells you what the word means.
Looking up a word in a dictionary is like being a word detective. Here are the steps you follow every time.
The alphabet is the key to using a dictionary. Here are all 26 letters in order. When you're not sure if one letter comes before another, look at this chart!
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Now let's see how alphabetical order works when words share the same first letter. Look at the diagram below to see how we sort words by looking at the second and third letters.
See how the diagram works? All six words start with the letter C. So we have to look at the second letter. The letter A comes before H, and H comes before U. That gives us the correct alphabetical order. This is exactly how a dictionary is organized!
Let's say you are writing a story and you wrote the word "frendly." Something doesn't look right. Let's use a dictionary to check!
There are two main kinds of dictionaries you can use. Let's see how they compare.
| Feature | Print (Book) Dictionary | Online Dictionary |
|---|---|---|
| How you search | Flip pages using alphabetical order | Type the word in a search box |
| Guide words | Yes — at the top of each page | Not needed — results show up right away |
| Speed | Slower, but you learn ABC order skills! | Very fast |
| Spelling help | You must guess close to the right spelling to find it | Often suggests "Did you mean…?" even if you're wrong |
| Pictures | Some beginning dictionaries have pictures | Many have pictures and even audio |
| Needs electricity? | No — works anywhere! | Yes — needs a device and internet |
Both kinds of dictionaries are helpful! Your teacher may ask you to use a print dictionary in class because it helps you practice alphabetical order. At home, you can also use online dictionaries for extra help.
Right now, you are learning to use a beginning dictionary. As you grow up, you will use even more reference tools to help with spelling and writing. Here's a quick look at what's ahead!
| Tool | What It Does | When You'll Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning Dictionary | Shows spellings, meanings, and easy sentences for common words | Grades 1–4 |
| Regular Dictionary | Has many more words, pronunciation guides, and word histories | Grades 4 and up |
| Thesaurus | Helps you find words that mean the same thing (synonyms) | Grades 4 and up |
| Spell-Checker | A computer tool that underlines misspelled words for you | Any time you type on a computer |
Even grown-ups use dictionaries! Writers, teachers, and scientists check their spelling all the time. Learning to use a dictionary now will help you for the rest of your life.
Try these five problems. Click "Show Answer" when you're ready to check your thinking!
A dictionary is a book (or website) that lists words in alphabetical order and shows you how to spell them, say them, and understand what they mean. A beginning dictionary is made for young readers and uses easy definitions and pictures. To find a word, you start with the first letter, then use the guide words at the top of each page to narrow down your search. When two words start with the same letter, you compare the second and third letters to figure out which one comes first.
Whenever you're not sure how to spell a word, you can check it in a dictionary and correct any mistakes. Both print dictionaries and online dictionaries are great tools. The more you practice, the faster you'll get at finding words — and the better your spelling will become!