Dictionary Skills
rd
3
Grade
Why Use a Dictionary?
 to see how to spell a word
 to learn how to pronounce a word correctly
 to define a word
 to find synonyms and antonyms for a word
 to find out how many syllables are in a word
 to find out what part of speech a word is
Using guide words and entry words
Guide words – show the first word and the last word on the page.
The guide words on this page are painting and panda
Entry words – are in ABC order. They are in bold print.
Quick way to look for a word
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
 Start by going to the beginning, middle or
end of the dictionary to locate a word.
 Example: If you were looking for the word
cat, would you find the word in the
beginning, middle or end of the
dictionary? How about:
 forget
shake
opposite
Now lets find words in the dictionary
using the Quick way.
 You will work with a partner to put a set of words in
alphabetical order.You will use the guide words to help you
locate the words.
 Handout Vacabulary 4 Square worksheet
 You will write the definition of the word. Once you write
the definitions of all the words, you will locate the same
words in an on-line dictionary.
 http://www.wordcentral.com/home.html
pronunciation
 (a way of speaking a word). A dictionary uses symbols to
indicate the sounds of the letters in a word.
syllable
 (part of a
spoken word).
A dictionary
generally uses
dots between
the syllables of
a word.
 Practice clapping the number of
syllables in these words.
 continent
 http://www.wordcentral.com/cgi-
bin/student?book=Student&va=cont
inent
 Ecosystem
 http://www.wordcentral.com/cgibin/student?book=Student&va=ecos
ystem
synonym
 (one of two or more words that have highly similar
meanings). A dictionary may list synonyms for a word.
Can you guess the synonym for little? Click for answers
small
Can you guess the synonym for rock?
stone
Can you guess the synonym for funny?
silly
antonym
(a word that is the opposite of another word). A dictionary
may list an antonym for a word.
Can you guess an antonym for happy? click for answers
sad
Can you guess an antonym for happy short?
tall
Can you guess an antonym for dark?
light
part of speech
 (how a word is used in a sentence). A dictionary generally
indicates what part of speech a word is, depending upon how
it is used in a sentence.
 n. (noun) The word names a person, place, or thing; e.g., child,
dog, park.
 v. (verb) The word expresses an action or state of being; e.g.,
jump, fall, was.
 adj. (adjective) The word describes a person, place, or thing;
e.g., happy, wet, tiny.
 adv. (adverb) The word describes an action; e.g., quickly, well,
loudly.
Can you guess what parts of speech these words
are? Click on the link to check your answers.
Capitol
http://www.wordcentral.com/cgibin/student?book=Student&va=capitol
rapidly
http://www.wordcentral.com/cgibin/student?book=Student&va=rapidly
My
http://www.wordcentral.com/cgibin/student?book=Student&va=my
Listen
http://www.wordcentral.com/cgibin/student?book=Student&va=listen