Thesaurus Everything you need to know about using it.

What is It? A book about words. The entry words are in a-b-c or alphabetical order just like a dictionary. Dictionaries give meanings of words, spelling of words and pronunciations of words. Thesaurus lists synonyms and antonyms of words.

Example Take the word “Happy” The World Book Encyclopedia’s Dictionary tells us the word “happy” is “having a feeling of or showing pleasure and joy” But what if you want to use another word for “happy.” What could we use?

Happy Joyful Glad Cheerful

Sad Unhappy Depressed Gloomy

Synonyms Using “Happy” and “Sad” as examples the other words are synonyms. Words that have similar meanings. Sometimes synonyms can have similar meanings but are used in different situations.

Antonyms These are words that have opposite meanings. “Happy” is the opposite of “Sad” “Coward” is the opposite of “Brave”

Why is that Important? You need to understand what synonyms and antonyms are to use a thesaurus. The basic purpose of a Thesaurus is to give synonyms and antonyms of an entry word.

Why Should I Use It? Improve the way you express ideas or thoughts Improve the way you express feelings –Emotional –Physical Make your writing more interesting and exciting Increase your vocabulary

Where are they? Reference book 400’s - Language

Parts of a Thesaurus Entry word Synonym Antonym Part of Speech Index Example using a sentence

To Conclude / Close or End Verb To “Close” –Terminate –Finish –Complete –Achieve We have reached the “conclusion” of our lesson. We have reached the time to “terminate” our lesson. We have “finished” our lesson. We have “completed” the lesson. We have “achieved” our lessons goal.

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