What does lexicography mean?
Lexicography is the art, practice, and study of making dictionaries. It involves deciding which words to include, explaining their meanings, recording their pronunciations and grammatical uses, tracing their histories, and presenting the results clearly and consistently. The work depends on close observation of written sources, spoken language, historical evidence, and the conventions of the language being described. Lexicography is therefore both a scholarly discipline and a practical craft, requiring linguistic knowledge, careful judgment, and an ability to balance precision with readability. Although the field has a long history, it remains important in the digital age, where dictionaries must accommodate changing vocabulary, new varieties of English, and varied forms of electronic access. The word is especially useful when discussing the methods and intellectual responsibilities involved in describing language.
nounThe practice of compiling and editing dictionaries, including the study of words, their meanings, pronunciations, origins, and usage. It also refers to the principles and methods used in preparing dictionary entries.
- The art or practice of compiling dictionaries and the study of the principles and methods involved in dictionary-making.
- The study of the words, meanings, spellings, pronunciations, and historical development of a language, especially as these are documented in reference works.
"Her work in historical lexicography has greatly improved our understanding of how the language developed."
"The field of lexicography requires careful comparison of evidence from books, speech, and historical sources."
"Modern digital lexicography must balance concise definitions with enough detail to satisfy a wide range of users."
The plural is grammatical but relatively uncommon; discussions of the field usually use the singular form.
"The two lexicographies use different methods for documenting regional vocabulary."
Without lexicography, the living history of language would be much harder to read.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lexicography
Lexicography comes from the Greek lexikon, meaning a word or dictionary, and graphein, meaning to write. Its development reflects the long history of writing vocabularies and the later practice of organizing and interpreting words in reference works. The related English words lexicon, lexical, and lexicographical all reflect this combination of dictionary vocabulary and written language.
Related word forms
How lexicography is actually used
The term is mainly academic and professional. It usually refers to the theory and practice of dictionary-making, while related terms such as lexicology refer more broadly to the study of vocabulary.
Easily confused with lexicography
Lexicography is the practice of compiling dictionaries, whereas lexicology is the broader study of words, their meanings, and their usage.