lexicon

/ˈleksɪkən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈleksɪkɑːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlek-sə-ˌkän also -kən/ (ame, mw)

lexicon — noun

  • lexiconsingular
  • lexiconsplural

1. The full set of words and fixed expressions that speakers use when communicating

1.名詞B2
釋義

The full set of words and fixed expressions that speakers use when communicating in one language, or that belong to a single area of knowledge or activity.

例句

The English lexicon contains words from Latin, French, and Germanic sources.

lexicon of [language] + source languages

Hao's medical lexicon includes hundreds of specialist terms he learned during training.

personal lexicon of [field]

同義詞
  • vocabulary

    Broader everyday term; less formal than lexicon

  • word stock

    More technical, used mainly in linguistics

  • terminology

    Specifically about the words of a field, not a whole language

文法句型

the lexicon of [language/field]

[possessive] lexicon

用法筆記

More formal and academic than 'vocabulary'. In everyday conversation, 'vocabulary' is the usual choice. 'Lexicon' is preferred in linguistics and technical writing.

常見錯誤

❌The lexicon of Spanish is rich.' (awkward register).
✅The vocabulary of Spanish is rich.
💡in everyday contexts, 'vocabulary' sounds more natural than 'lexicon'.

2. A book, website, or digital resource that lists the words of a language — especi

2.名詞C1
釋義

A book, website, or digital resource that lists the words of a language — especially an ancient or specialised one — in alphabetical order, together with their meanings.

例句

Élise used a Greek–English lexicon to translate the ancient text.

[language] lexicon for translation work

The professor consulted a lexicon of botanical terms before the lecture.

lexicon of [field] terms

同義詞
  • dictionary

    Everyday term; much more common than lexicon in this sense

  • glossary

    A limited list of terms for a specific text or subject

  • word list

    Simpler, often without full definitions

文法句型

[language] lexicon

lexicon of [subject]

用法筆記

In modern English, 'dictionary' is the everyday word. 'Lexicon' for this sense is used mainly for ancient languages (Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Sanskrit) or specialised subject dictionaries.

常見錯誤

❌I checked the Spanish lexicon for the word.
✅I checked the Spanish dictionary for the word.
💡'lexicon' as a dictionary usually refers to specialised or ancient-language dictionaries, not everyday ones.