Thesaurus facts for kids
A thesaurus is like a special dictionary that helps you find words that mean the same or almost the same thing. These words are called synonyms. Sometimes, a thesaurus will also show you words that mean the opposite, which are called antonyms.
For example, if you look up the word "big" in a thesaurus, you might find words like "huge" or "massive." If it also lists antonyms, you could find words like "small" or "tiny."
Many students and writers use a thesaurus when they are writing. It helps them find the perfect word to express their ideas. Using a thesaurus can also help you learn new words and make your vocabulary (all the words you know) bigger and better!
Contents
What is a Thesaurus?
A thesaurus is a book or online tool that lists words and their synonyms. It's different from a regular dictionary, which tells you what a word means. A thesaurus helps you choose the best word for what you want to say.
Synonyms: Words That Are Alike
When words have the same or very similar meanings, they are called synonyms. For example, "happy" and "joyful" are synonyms. A thesaurus is full of these kinds of words. It helps you avoid using the same word too many times in your writing.
Antonyms: Words That Are Opposites
Some thesauruses also include antonyms. These are words that have opposite meanings. For instance, "hot" and "cold" are antonyms. Knowing antonyms can help you understand words better and make your writing more interesting.
Why Use a Thesaurus?
Using a thesaurus is a great way to improve your writing and expand your vocabulary.
Improve Your Writing
When you write, you want your words to be clear and exciting. A thesaurus can help you find stronger or more precise words. Instead of just saying something is "good," you could find synonyms like "excellent," "wonderful," or "fantastic." This makes your writing more vivid and engaging for your readers.
Grow Your Vocabulary
Every time you look up a word in a thesaurus, you see a list of other words that are related. This helps you learn new words and understand their meanings. The more words you know, the better you can express yourself when you speak or write.
History of the Thesaurus
The idea of a thesaurus has been around for a long time. People have always wanted to organize words.
Roget's Thesaurus
One of the most famous thesauruses was created by a British doctor named Peter Mark Roget. In 1852, he published Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases. His book organized words by their ideas and meanings, not just alphabetically. It quickly became very popular and is still used today.
Images for kids
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Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary, a two-volume set
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Peter Mark Roget, the author of Roget's thesaurus.
See also
In Spanish: Tesauro para niños
