Use vocabulary for the range of words a person can use or understand. It often appears with wide, limited, active, passive, build, and expand.
Use vocabulary for the range of words a person can use or understand. It often appears with wide, limited, active, passive, build, and expand.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I want to improve my vocabularies | I want to improve my vocabulary |
| She has many vocabulary | She has a wide vocabulary |
| I learn vocabulary words every day | I learn new vocabulary every day |
Use vocabulary when talking about the words that belong to a subject or community, such as medical vocabulary, legal vocabulary, or the vocabulary of art.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I need vocabulary about business | I need business vocabulary |
| The vocabulary in law is difficult | Legal vocabulary is difficult |
| This word belongs to the vocabulary of cooking | This word belongs to cooking vocabulary |
Use vocabulary for a study list or section in a textbook, especially in language learning. Vocabulary list is clearer when the physical list matters.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The teacher gave us vocabularies for homework | The teacher gave us vocabulary lists for homework |
| Please memorize this vocabularys | Please memorize this vocabulary |
| The book has vocabulary at end | The book has a vocabulary list at the end |
Vocabulary is usually uncountable when it means word knowledge, but it can be countable in technical contexts for different word sets. For classroom materials, vocabulary list often prevents ambiguity.
Vocabularies is not the normal plural for words learned by one person. Use vocabulary for word knowledge, words for individual items, and terminology for a specialized subject.
From Medieval Latin vocabulārium, a list of words, from Latin vocabulum, word or name, from vocare, to call. The study-list sense is close to the older meaning, while modern English also uses the word for the range of words known or used.
What does vocabulary mean?
Vocabulary means the words someone knows or uses, the words of a subject, or a study list of words.
Is vocabulary countable or uncountable?
It is usually uncountable for one person's word knowledge. It can be countable when comparing different word sets.
What is active vocabulary?
Active vocabulary is the words a person can use in speaking or writing.
What is passive vocabulary?
Passive vocabulary is the words a person understands when reading or listening but does not often use.
What is a vocabulary list?
A vocabulary list is a set of words for study, often with meanings, translations, or examples.
What is the difference between vocabulary and terminology?
Vocabulary is broader. Terminology is the specialized words of a subject or profession.
How do you say improve vocabulary?
Say improve my vocabulary, build my vocabulary, or expand my vocabulary.