Basic Details
Word: Thesaurus
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A book or resource that lists words grouped together according to similarity of meaning (synonyms) and sometimes antonyms.
Synonyms: Lexicon, wordbook, dictionary of synonyms
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- At your fingertips: Having something readily available, such as information or tools. Example: "With the thesaurus at your fingertips, finding the right word is easy."
- Lost for words: Unable to find the right words to say. Example: "When he received the award, he was lost for words, but the thesaurus helped him express his gratitude."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The student consulted the thesaurus to find a better word for "happy" in her essay.
Example 2: Using a thesaurus can enhance your writing by providing a variety of synonyms to choose from.
Example 3: The teacher encouraged her class to use the thesaurus when they wanted to avoid repeating the same words too often.
Fun Fact
The first modern thesaurus was created by Peter Mark Roget in 1852, and it organised words by ideas rather than definitions, making it a unique tool for writers to find synonyms.
Famous Quote
"Words are the most powerful drug used by mankind." Rudyard Kipling
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "thesaurus" mean?
a) A type of dinosaur
b) A book of synonyms
c) A cooking tool
d) A musical instrument
Answer: b) A book of synonyms
2. Which of these is a synonym of "thesaurus"?
a) Lexicon
b) Boat
c) Building
d) Phone
Answer: a) Lexicon
3. Which sentence uses "thesaurus" correctly?
a) The thesaurus swam in the pond.
b) The thesaurus helped her find new words for her poem.
c) The thesaurus jumped over the fence.
d) The thesaurus sings beautifully.
Answer: b) The thesaurus helped her find new words for her poem.
4. Which idiom means having something readily available?
a) Lost for words
b) At your fingertips
c) As clear as mud
d) Break the ice
Answer: b) At your fingertips
5. What is the opposite of "thesaurus"?
a) Dictionary
b) N/A
c) Map
d) Notebook
Answer: b) N/A
