Wordsmyth Blog

Category: Wordsmyth Features

  • Teaching kids to be good digital citizens

    Teaching kids to be good digital citizens

    As schools have increasingly moved to internet instruction, teachers are now in greater need of excellent and reliable online resources than ever before. In WILD, the Wordsmyth Illustrated Learner’s Dictionary, they will find some of the best materials to help young children learn and explore in the online world. In addition, with the recognition that children are to an even greater extent using online resources by themselves, both teachers and caregivers will appreciate the guide provided in WILD that can assist them in teaching kids how to navigate the internet safely and respectfully so that they can become “Good Digital Citizens!”

    Go to WILD and click on the Passport in the toolbar to use the interactive infographic. Or click the link below to download the printable PDF version.

    Let’s be good digital citizens! Download as PDF.
  • Wordsmyth Dictionaries

    Wordsmyth Dictionaries

    You may already be very familiar with our dictionaries, but if you’re new to us or want to understand us better, we’d like to give you an overview.  Wordsmyth currently has dictionaries at four levels, with three of the levels found in the Comprehensive Dictionary Suite at wordsmyth.net and the fourth level, Wordsmyth Illustrated Learner’s Dictionary (WILD), at kids.wordsmyth.net/wild.

    Advanced Dictionary

    The highest level of our dictionaries is called the “Advanced Dictionary.” The Advanced Dictionary is suited to the needs of adults and students from middle-school age and up. It currently contains 60,000 headwords, with example sentences for nearly 17,000 words, adding up to a total of nearly 50,000 examples.  Like all of our dictionaries, the Advanced Dictionary has both text and audio pronunciations for all words, as well as thousands of photographs and artist-created illustrations.

    It was for the Advanced Dictionary that the Wordsmyth team developed its integrated thesaurus, a source for synonyms, antonyms, and similar words.  We call it an “integrated”  thesaurus because thesaurus information is matched with individual senses (meanings) of words so that, for example, synonyms for the headword “hot” referring to temperature, “hot” referring to spiciness of food, and “hot” referring to popularity are matched with their appropriate definitions in the entry for “hot.”  The synonyms appear directly under each pertinent definition in the dictionary entry.  There is no need to click to go to a different page to access the thesaurus information.

    Intermediate Dictionary

    The next level down from the Advanced Dictionary is the “Intermediate Dictionary.”   As in the Advanced Dictionary, thesaurus information is built in and matched with particular senses of words.  The Intermediate Dictionary was written for children at the upper elementary level.  The definitions are written with simpler vocabulary and sentence structure than those written for the Advanced Dictionary.  The Intermediate Dictionary contains approximately 14,000 headwords and contains 23,000 full-sentence examples.   Additionally, all the headwords for the Intermediate Dictionary, as well as all the example sentences for headwords, have been translated into Spanish and Chinese.  (Note also that each sense of every headword is individually translated.) These translations are available to our subscribers and appear in the entries when the feature is selected by the user.   (Spanish and Chinese headword translations also appear in the other Wordsmyth dictionaries for these same words.)

    Beginner’s Dictionary

    The “Beginner’s Dictionary” is a dictionary that is geared toward adult literacy and adult ESL.  The Beginner’s Dictionary contains approximately 5000 headwords written in a concise but simple style.  The dictionary contains over 8,000 example sentences. 

    A feature developed specifically for the Beginner’s Dictionary is the Word Builder.  Word Builder displays words that are built on the headword that is looked up.  For example, with the headword “cool,” we list the words “cooler” (a type of refrigerator) and “coolant” in the Word Builder along with a short definition of each of these additional words.  While derivations of headwords (e.g., “coolly” and “coolness”) are listed for entries at all dictionary levels, the Word Builder, developed for the Beginner’s Dictionary, goes a step further, particularly in defining the additional words.

    Comprehensive Dictionary Suite

    The three dictionaries just described–Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner’s–compose the Comprehensive Dictionary Suite.  Within the suite, the user may easily move up or down between the levels to find simpler or more advanced definitions and example sentences for particular words.

    Wordsmyth Illustrated Learner’s Dictionary (WILD)

    WILD, our introductory level dictionary, is a resource for very young children (grades K-2).  WILD is also geared toward the needs of young English Language Learners, although even adult learners may enjoy and benefit from its highly comprehensible definitions and example sentences.  WILD is accessed at kids.wordsmyth.net/wild, or through our homepage at wordsmyth.net, or by going to the “Dictionaries” tab at the top left of any higher level dictionary page and then clicking on WILD in the drop-down menu.

    WILD contains close to 4000 headwords, all written with simple, full-sentence definitions and kid-friendly example sentences. Text and audio pronunciations accompany all headwords. Words in WILD are richly and charmingly illustrated with artist-rendered illustrations as well as photographs.  Moreover, there are animated illustrations for action verbs and many abstract concepts (e.g., “more,” “part,” “through,” “into”) that are fundamental to an understanding of the language in general as well as to comprehending the writing in the dictionary entries. 

    In addition to the “Book,” where all the standard dictionary information is found, WILD contains the visual environments called “World” and “Collections.”  In World, children view objects labeled in city or nature settings, such as Home, School, the Forest, the Seashore, the Farm.  In Collections, children view things and actions within categories.  In Collections, one might view, for example, types of plants, people in their jobs, sea animals, birds, mammals, outdoor activities, places where people live, emotions, and maps of the world.  In addition to Book, World, and Collections, WILD contains the Wordsmyth Picture Dictionary, which contains a subset of the WILD headwords.  The words are defined here by picture only.  Each word receives audio pronunciation and links to where the word can also be found in other parts of WILD. 

    We hope you enjoy all our Wordsmyth dictionaries!  There is so much to explore!

  • What does the “unsaved” icon mean?

    When you edit an existing word list but didn’t click the “preview and save” button, you will see this button next to your list in “My Word Lists.”

    It means that we noticed you made some changes but you didn’t directly confirm the changes. To be cautious, we saved your changes temporarily, just in case. The icon is to remind you to make a decision.

    So, if you go to “preview,” you will see your options: discard the changes, or save them.

    Clicking on either of the buttons will bring the green check mark back. Your word list will now be good to use with any activities.

  • What are collocations?

    In recent years, Wordsmyth has offered a feature called “Word Combinations” that lists words that typically combine with the headword that one has looked up. A more technical term for “word combinations” is “collocations.” The notion of collocation refers to the tendency of words to be located in close proximity to certain others; that is, where you find one word, you often find a certain other word or particular group of words.  Where you find “logical,” for example, you will often find the word “solution,” “conclusion,” or “explanation.”  Two or more words that are found together with a relatively high frequency are called “collocations.”

    Here is a simple test of your knowledge of some typical collocations in English.  See if you can guess some of the words (“collocates”) that most frequently follow or precede the listed words.

    1. a loyal      ___________

    2. an ancient ___________

    3. a nasty     ___________

    4. _________  a crime

    5. _________  a scheme

    6. _________  a role

    7. break a      __________

    8. propose a  __________

    9. offer a       __________

    If you said “fan” and “customer” for “loyal,” you determined two of the most frequent collocates for that word.  If you said “commit” for “crime,” you found the most frequent collocate by far.  The most common collocates for all the other words are listed below.*

    For many adult native speakers, especially those who have had a lot of exposure to written language, it can be a fairly simple task to predict what words typically follow or precede others.  This is, after all, the basis of many word games and the reason that old television game shows such as Password, Match Game, and Family Feud were able to be successful.  However, learners of a language, whether they are young native speakers or adult second language learners, cannot always predict what words tend to go together or need to be used together in order to sound native and “correct.”  English speakers do not generally say “do a crime” or “perform a crime,” for example.  They say “commit a crime,” “carry out a crime,” or “perpetrate a crime.”   Even highly literate native speakers do not always know what verb is the most appropriate for a certain subject in a sentence or what kind of object is used with a certain verb.  Is it acceptable to say that havoc arises, for example (yes!) or that something assuaged one’s worry? (yes!)

    Listing high-frequency collocations is a method that some dictionaries are now using to help users decide what words may go together appropriately in their own speech and writing.  Collocations can be helpful in another important way as well.  By seeing what kinds of words are frequently paired with a certain word, one can get a closer idea of that word’s meaning and a sense of what context the word is used in.  In this way, one can better decide if it is truly the right word for one’s purpose.

    One problem that learners of a language constantly face is the choice between synonyms.  The words “acquire” and “obtain,” for example, have basically the same meaning, and, in many contexts, they are interchangeable.  And yet these words are not used in exactly the same way.  We don’t usually say “acquire feedback,” or “acquire a divorce.”  For these objects, we generally use “obtain.”  By the same token, we don’t typically say “obtain a habit” or “obtain an understanding.”  By seeing the collocates of the two words “acquire” and “obtain,” we can see that “obtain” tends to be used more often when an outside source is involved and when there is not much emphasis on a process that the subject goes through or undertakes.

    Knowledge of collocation also allows for a certain level of predictability in the processing of language that one hears, thus easing the burden of catching the sounds of individual words with one’s ears.  Whereas non-native speakers are often straining to hear every sound that comes out of the mouth of their interlocutor, native speakers can limit the possibilities of what a speaker may say next because of their knowledge of what words typically follow others.

    The exploration of collocation is relatively new within the areas of language teaching and lexicography.  It has been greatly advanced, however, by the ability to search large electronic corpora for examples of frequent combinations of words.  Until recent years, lexicographers have focused largely on the precise meanings of individual words and have given less attention to how words combine with others and how individual words are distinct from other, similar words.  The presentation of collocations within headword entries is an advance that should be very helpful, not to mention of interest, to learners at all levels.

    __________________________________

    * 1. loyal: friend, fan, customer, following

    * 2. ancient: civilization, city, ruin, rite

    * 3. nasty: gash, bruise, habit, surprise

    * 4. crime: commit, perpetrate

    * 5. scheme: devise, develop

    * 6. role: play, assume, define, perform

    * 7. break: law, heart, record, rule, spell, monotony, deadlock

    * 8. propose: plan, tax, compromise

    * 9. offer: congratulations, condolence, rebate, discount, reassurance

  • Wordsmyth Vocabulary Inventory (WVI)

    An example of a WVI word in the Wordsmyth dictionary

    Headwords labeled with a number from 1 to 5 belong to the Wordsmyth Vocabulary Index (WVI). The WVI is a list of what we consider to be the 10,000 most important academic vocabulary words. They are grouped into five levels of difficulty, with level 1 words being the least difficult and level 5 the most difficult. The five levels correspond approximately to five grade-level bands:

    • level 1 grades K-2
    • level 2 grades 3-6
    • level 3 grades 7-9
    • level 4 grades 10-12
    • level 5 grades 12+

    The WVI words can be viewed alphabetically at the Search Filters page (under the Search Tools menu). The WVI words were selected by analyzing the Educator’s Word Frequency Guide, which provides grade-specific data on word frequency for words taken from a 17-million-word corpus of texts used in K-12+ education. Words used across the curriculum were given precedence over domain-specific vocabulary. This general academic vocabulary corresponds with the “Tier 2 words” emphasized as important in the Common Core State Standards for literacy. Additional established vocabulary resources, such as Coxhead’s Academic Word List (AWL), Elfriede Hiebert’s Word Zones, and the Corpus of Contemporary American English, were also consulted in order to both narrow down and validate our initial reservoir of vocabulary words.

  • About the Wordsmyth “Word Combinations” Feature

    The Word Combinations feature in Wordsmyth dictionaries displays words that are frequently used in combination with a particular headword. If you looked up “negotiate,” for example, you would be presented with words such as “accord,” “agreement,” “cease-fire,” “compromise,” “contract,” “deal,” “treaty,” and “truce.” You would also see words such as “actively,” “reportedly,” “safely,” and “successfully.”

    The sets of words that you are shown in the Word Combinations feature can help you find a word that is correct or appropriate to complete a particular meaning that you want to express. In addition, the words can help you refine your understanding of the word you looked up by showing you the pattern of general use for this word. For example, it may help to better understand the meaning of “apocryphal” if you know that it combines with words like “legend,” “tale,” “story,” and “account.”

    Seeing the words that combine with your word can also give you a sense of how this word may be differentiated from words with similar meanings. Even close synonyms combine with other words along different lines. For example, the words “obtain” and “acquire” have very similar meanings but combine with words somewhat differently. “Obtain” combines with “approval,” “patent,” “passport,” and “permission,” for example. “Acquire” does not typically combine with any of these but more often combines with words like “assets,” “wealth,” “competence,” “expertise,” “habit,” and “trait.”

    Combinations of words such as are shown in the Word Combinations feature are referred to by linguists as “collocations.” The term “collocation” actually refers to various types of word combinations ranging from fixed phrases and idioms, in which the words always go together in a certain way and cannot be interchanged with other words, to word combinations that occur frequently but are made up of words that can be easily interchanged with other words. The collocations that we display in the Word Combinations feature tend to be closer to the latter type. Most of them are “medium strength” collocations, such as “cool breeze,” “refreshing breeze,” “soft breeze,” and “gentle breeze.” Some of the collocations that we show, however, are “strong collocations” made up of words that seem to cling to each other, such as “commit” and “crime” and “tell” and “truth.” Some of the combinations that the data-gathering tool brings up in addition, such as “social + security” and “right + angle,” represent unique units of meaning in themselves and may also be found as dictionary headwords that have their own definitions.

    Word Combinations is a Wordsmyth subscription feature. If you are not currently a subscriber, try out the feature with a 15-day trial subscription. Then, under “Display Options” near the top of any entry, select “Word Combinations.” At the same time, why not try out our “Word Parts” or “Spanish support” features? The free subscription will also give you access to WILD, the Wordsmyth Illustrated Learner’s Dictionary designed for very young readers and language learners.

  • How to add a word that is not in Wordsmyth to your activities

    When you create a wordlist in the Wordlist Maker, you can add more words to the list, even when the word is not in the Wordsmyth dictionaries. And you can use those words in activities.

    Click “Customize” and add the word in the “Add a word” box. 

    You can also click “Preview and Save” and then click “Select/Add words” under the “Customization” menu. This will take you to the page with the “Add a word” box.

    On the Activities page, if you have a wordlist open, you can click “Preview” and this will take you to the Preview page where you can click the “Add/Select words” item under the “Customize” menu, which will take you to the page with the “Add a word” box.

    Since the word you added is not in Wordsmyth, it will be shown in light blue. Since we will not have definitions and examples ready to use in your activities, you will need to click “Customize definition and example” to add your own definition and example.

    In order to use your word in an activity, you need to first add a Part of Speech. Then you can add a definition. And, finally, after you have added a definition, you can add an example sentence. You can do this by clicking “Customize Definition and Example” in the top-right side of the page. Then hover over the 3 dots (…) and select “Add Part of Speech.” 

    In the pop-up box that appears, select a Part of Speech. This is required before adding a definition. 

    If you wish to add a definition, you can hover over the 3 dots after the part of speech you selected and an option to “add a definition” appears. Select this option and a text input box will appear, where you can type your definition.

    After the definition has been added, click “save.”  The definition will be saved in your personal dictionary, for use in your activities.

    If you wish to add an example, hover over the 3 dots after the definition you added and select “Add example.”

    After you add an example sentence and save it, the sentence will be available for use in the activities you make.

  • Wordsmyth Features: Lookup History

    The Lookup History feature records every dictionary entry a user has recently looked up. Going back through your recent Wordsmyth searches is a great way to keep track of words you’ve learned or inquired about. Forget what a word means? Know the definition but not the word? Check your Lookup History!

    View Lookup History

    You can access your Lookup History from the “My Wordsmyth” menu. To view your Lookup History from a dictionary entry:

    1. In the Lookup History box on the right-hand side of the screen, you will see the last five words you’ve looked up.
    2. Click “See more” at the bottom of the  “Lookup History” box.

    Lookup Search Features

    To make finding old lookups easier, Wordsmyth offers search methods. You can search for words you’ve looked up by checking your searches during a specific time period, looking for the word itself, or finding words you’ve looked up on a specific date.

    Search By Time Period

    You can review your Lookup History over a period of one day, one week, or one month, as well as over your entire search history. If you’d like to browse words you’ve searched over the past week:

    1. Go to “Show words looked up” and click the dropdown menu
    2. Click “last 7 days”
    3. Click “Find”

    Search By Word

    To search for a specific word you’ve looked up:

    1. Go to the “Find a word or date” search bar at the top of the “Look-up History” screen.
    2. Type in a word.
    3. Click “Find.”
    4. The specific word will appear alphabetically in a list of your recently searched words.

    Search By Date

    If you’re looking for words you’d looked up on a specific date:

    1. Enter the date you’d like to search in a month/day/year format (i.e. 05/15/19) in the “Find a word or date” search bar.
    2. Click “Find”
    3. The words looked up on the date you entered will be displayed in the list below.

    Words searched by date are displayed in descending order.

    Clear Lookup History

    When you use the dictionary frequently, you will accumulate searched entries quickly. This makes finding old searches difficult, so it’s helpful to clear your Lookup History sometimes. To do so, click the [Clear] link on the right side of the screen.

    To get started, check out our tutorial video!

    All registered users have access to their Lookup History and search tools. But a free registration only goes so far. Subscribers can search their entire Lookup History at any time. Why not subscribe and make the most out of your Wordsmyth account?

    Want to keep up with all things Wordsmyth? Check out our Facebook, Twitter, and blog. Get in touch with us on our feedback page if you have any questions or concerns.

    Until next time, Happy Wordsmything!

  • Wordsmyth Features: Search Filters

    Wordsmyth Dictionary’s Search Filters focus your dictionary search using specific search parameters. Using Search Filters, you can search through all of Wordsmyth’s assets, including:

    • Entries with images or animations
    • Entries with attached Word Histories, Language Notes, Word Builder features, or Word Parts (roots and affixes)
    • Homophone entries
    • Words of particular parts of speech
    • Word Explorer categories
    • Words at a particular Wordsmyth Vocabulary Inventory (WVI) level
    (more…)

  • Wordsmyth Features: Display Options

    The Display Options menu shows and hides different features in Wordsmyth’s dictionary entry display. This menu is available at the top of every entry and can be used to make changes at any time. 

    (more…)