catalogs

catalogs — noun

  • catalogssingular
  • catalogsesplural

1. an organized list of items — such as products, books, or objects — usually with

1.nounB1
Definition

an organized list of items — such as products, books, or objects — usually with information about each one.

Example

The university library keeps an online catalog of all its books and journals.

online catalog for searching library holdings

Jessica searched the product catalog for a laptop under 800 dollars.

Common collocations
  • online catalog
  • product catalog
  • library catalog
  • mail-order catalog
  • catalog of + noun
Synonyms
  • directory

    focuses on contact information or locations rather than descriptive details

  • listing

    a simpler, less formal list, often without descriptive detail

  • register

    an official list, often for records rather than products

Grammar Patterns

catalog of + noun

Usage Note

This is the US spelling; British English uses 'catalogue'. The word is often used in compounds such as 'product catalog', 'library catalog', or 'mail-order catalog'.

Common Mistakes

I looked at the catalog table of the store.
I looked at the store's product catalog.
'catalog' already means a list; don't add 'table of'.

2. a printed book or small magazine that contains pictures and details of items ava

2.nounB1
Definition

a printed book or small magazine that contains pictures and details of items available for sale or study.

Example

The furniture store sent a thick catalog with pictures of sofas, tables, and beds.

physical catalog with product photos

Lara circled three courses in the university's spring catalog before registering.

Common collocations
  • course catalog
  • mail-order catalog
  • thick catalog
  • flip through a catalog
Synonyms
  • brochure

    a thinner publication, often a single folded sheet promoting one thing

  • pamphlet

    a small booklet without the detailed item-level listing of a catalog

3. a series of bad or unpleasant events that happen one after another.

3.nounB2
Definition

a series of bad or unpleasant events that happen one after another.

Example

The city suffered a catalog of disasters last year, including floods and fires.

catalog of + disasters / errors / problems

The investigation revealed a catalog of errors made by the hospital staff.

Common collocations
  • catalog of disasters
  • catalog of errors
  • catalog of failures
  • catalog of problems
Synonyms
  • series

    neutral; does not carry the negative connotation of 'catalog'

  • string

    informal and neutral, e.g., 'a string of complaints'

Grammar Patterns

catalog of + plural noun (disasters/errors/problems)

Usage Note

Used almost exclusively for negative events: 'a catalog of disasters', 'a catalog of errors', 'a catalog of failures'. Avoid using it for positive series.

Common Mistakes

We had a catalog of wonderful experiences on our trip.
We had a wonderful series of experiences on our trip.
'catalog' in this sense is reserved for negative events.

catalogs — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A 'catalog' is a detailed, organized list of items, usually with descriptive information about each entry — think of a library catalog with book details or a product catalog with prices. A 'directory' focuses on contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers) rather than descriptive details. A 'listing' is a simpler, less formal list without much detail — for example, a real estate listing with just the basics. A 'register' is an official record, often used for legal or formal tracking, such as a voter register or a register of births. Use 'catalog' when the emphasis is on organized description; use 'directory' for contact info; use 'listing' for simple informal lists; use 'register' for official records.

catalog ↗directory ↗listing ↗register ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • product catalog
  • library catalog
  • course catalog
  • seed catalog
  • mail-order catalog

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a catalog of
  • flip through a catalog
  • browse a catalog
  • search a catalog
  • catalog of disasters

Prepositions

  • in a catalog
  • from a catalog
  • by catalog

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'catalog' comes from French 'catalogue', which comes from Latin 'catalogus', from Greek 'katalogos' — a 'list' or 'register'. The Greek word combines 'kata-' (down, through) with 'legein' (to count, to choose). The word entered English in the 1400s as 'catalogue', and the US spelling 'catalog' became common in the 1800s.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb