thesaurus
gb/θəsˈɔɹəs/ us/θəsˈɔɹəs/
B2
English
~ 12100
szinonimaszótár, tezaurusz, tárház, kincsesbánya
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a thesaurus of [language/subject]
If you repeat the same adjective, try using a thesaurus to find some alternatives.
Ha ugyanazt a melléknevet ismételgeted, próbálj meg egy szinonimaszótárban más lehetőségeket keresni.
She keeps an old paperback thesaurus on her desk when she writes.
Írás közben egy régi, puhafedeles szinonimaszótárt tart az asztalán.
Many word‑processing programs include a built‑in thesaurus.
I looked up "happy" in the thesaurus and found dozens of related words.
The online thesaurus suggests both synonyms and antonyms for each term.
Learner examples
I used a thesaurus to find another word for "big."
Szinonimaszótárt használtam, hogy találjak egy másik szót a „big” szó helyett.
You can open a thesaurus on your computer when you write.
Írás közben megnyithatsz egy szinonimaszótárt a számítógépeden.
He checked the thesaurus to learn more words with a similar meaning.
This website has a free English thesaurus.
The teacher showed us how to use a thesaurus in class.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse a dictionary with a thesaurus. A dictionary explains what a word means, how to say it, and sometimes how to use it. A thesaurus gives other words with similar or opposite meanings. Another common mistake is spelling: *thesaurus* is often misspelled as *thesauraus* or *thesarus*. Also, it is countable: you say "a thesaurus," "two thesauruses" or "two thesauri."
Meaning
book or tool of synonyms
Collocations
use a thesaurus
|online thesaurus
|digital thesaurus
|thesaurus entry
|thesaurus app
|thesaurus of synonyms
Synonyms
synonym dictionary (More explicit about focusing on synonyms; slightly longer and less common as a fixed term.)
|
wordfinder (Informal marketing term for a tool that helps you find alternative words; less precise than "thesaurus".)
Antonyms
dictionary (Not a strict opposite, but contrasted because a dictionary mainly gives meanings and pronunciation, while a thesaurus focuses on related words.)
Themes
language
|education
|writing
|technology
|communication
Definition
A book or online tool that shows words with the same or similar meaning, and sometimes opposite meanings.
A reference book or digital tool that groups words by similar meaning and often lists synonyms, antonyms, and related terms.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
tezaurusz
C2
Usage pattern:
a thesaurus for [database/collection]
The library is developing a specialized thesaurus to improve subject indexing in its digital archive.
A könyvtár egy speciális tezauruszt fejleszt, hogy javítsa a tárgyszavas indexelést a digitális archívumában.
A well‑designed thesaurus helps users find documents even when they search with slightly different terms.
Egy jól megtervezett tezaurusz segít a felhasználóknak megtalálni a dokumentumokat akkor is, ha kissé eltérő kifejezésekkel keresnek.
The database thesaurus defines preferred terms and connects them with broader and narrower concepts.
Information architects spent months refining the corporate thesaurus for the new knowledge portal.
The thesaurus maps user search terms to the controlled vocabulary used in the catalog.
Learner examples
The digital library uses a special thesaurus to organize topics.
A digitális könyvtár egy speciális tezauruszt használ a témák rendszerezésére.
In this system, you must choose words from the thesaurus when you add a new article.
Ebben a rendszerben új cikk hozzáadásakor a tezauruszból kell kiválasztanod a szavakat.
The thesaurus tells you which word is the main word for that idea.
This thesaurus shows which terms are broader or narrower in meaning.
They built a new thesaurus to make searches more accurate.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume this technical sense means the same as the everyday "book of synonyms." In information science, a thesaurus is not mainly for writers choosing nicer words; it is a formal tool that controls which terms can be used and how they are related.
Meaning
controlled vocabulary for indexing
Collocations
build a thesaurus
|thesaurus construction
|search thesaurus
|thesaurus terms
|domain thesaurus
|thesaurus management
Synonyms
controlled vocabulary (Broader technical term; a thesaurus is a type of controlled vocabulary with explicit relationships between terms.)
|
taxonomy (Focuses more on hierarchical classification; overlaps but is not always as rich in different relationship types as a thesaurus.)
Antonyms
free text (Considered opposite in this context because it allows any words to be used for indexing or searching, instead of a fixed, controlled list.)
Themes
technology
|science
|academia
|education
Definition
In library and information work, an organized list of special words that people must use to label and search for information.
In information science, a structured list of approved terms and their relationships used to index and retrieve information consistently.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
3
tárház
C1
kincsesbánya
B2
Usage pattern:
a thesaurus of [information/knowledge/quotations]
The archive is a thesaurus of information about the city’s industrial past.
Az archívum a város ipari múltjára vonatkozó információk tárháza.
Her notebooks are a thesaurus of observations on human behavior.
A jegyzetfüzetei az emberi viselkedésre vonatkozó megfigyelések tárházai.
This anthology is a thesaurus of modern poetry from around the world.
Over the years, the website has become a thesaurus of practical programming tips.
The report serves as a thesaurus of data on climate trends in the region.
Learner examples
The museum is a thesaurus of art and history.
A múzeum a művészet és a történelem tárháza.
This book is a thesaurus of facts about space travel.
Ez a könyv az űrutazással kapcsolatos tények tárháza.
His laptop is a thesaurus of old family photos and stories.
The study is a thesaurus of information on the local plants.
Their database is a thesaurus of medical research.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this literary sense still refers to a book of synonyms. In this use, it means a rich collection of information, not a language reference tool.
Meaning
rich store of knowledge
Collocations
a thesaurus of information
|a thesaurus of knowledge
|a thesaurus of quotations
|a thesaurus of ideas
|a thesaurus of legal cases
Synonyms
treasury (Literary word with a similar idea of a rich collection; may suggest something precious or carefully kept.)
|
storehouse (Emphasizes the idea of being a place where a large amount of material is kept; slightly less formal and more concrete in tone.)
Antonyms
void (Opposite in that it suggests an empty space or a complete lack of information or resources.)
Themes
literature
|academia
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very large and rich collection of knowledge or information about something.
A figurative term for a rich and extensive collection of knowledge, information, or resources, especially in a particular field.
Grammar
Dictionary form
thesaurus
IPA
GB/θəsˈɔɹəs/
US/θəsˈɔɹəs/
Syllables & stress
thesaur - us (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (us)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: thesaurus
- Plural: thesauri, thesauruses
Word family
Expressions
online thesaurus
1/ˈɔnlˌaɪn θəsˈɔɹəs/
fixed phrase
web-based thesaurus tool
A website or internet tool that works like a thesaurus and lets you find similar or opposite words.
Examples
- She prefers using an online thesaurus instead of a paper one.
- Many online thesaurus tools are free and easy to search.
use a thesaurus
1/jˈuz ə θəsˈɔɹəs/
fixed phrase
consult a thesaurus for words
To look in a thesaurus to find other words with a similar or opposite meaning.
Examples
- If your writing sounds repetitive, use a thesaurus to vary your word choice.
- Teachers often tell students to use a thesaurus when they want stronger vocabulary.