A dictionary provides definitions as well as outlines how a word is used grammatically and provides examples of its use. A thesaurus provides synonyms, or similar words, for a word. These two tools are widely available in both print and electronic form, and you probably have access to at least a few of them.

Types of Thesauri A general thesaurus is one used by most people. A general thesaurus is a collection of words with synonyms and antonyms. It may be alphabetized or organized by category as in Roget's Thesaurus. A specialized thesaurus is one developed for a special field or profession.

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