Parts of a Dictionary Entry – A Sample Page to Label

All 11 parts on the diagram

Show the list

The word 6

Guide words The first and last entry words on the page.
Entry word The word being defined, in bold.
Syllable dot Splits the entry word into syllables: bud, dy.
Pronunciation How to say the word, in parentheses.
Part of speech The word's job in a sentence: noun, verb, adjective.
Inflected form Another form of the word, here its plural.

The meaning 5

Definition number Numbers each meaning when a word has more than one.
Usage label Marks a meaning kept to one style, here casual use.
Definition Tells what the word means.
Example The word used in a sentence, in italics.
Etymology Where the word came from, in square brackets.

How this list was compiled: Read 2026-09-30, for the names of the parts only; nothing was copied. (1) The American Heritage Dictionary, Guide to the Online American Heritage Dictionary, https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/howtouse.html. (2) Merriam-Webster, Help, Explanatory Notes, https://www.merriam-webster.com/help/explanatory-notes/dict-entries and the notes on functional labels, inflected forms, usage, definitions and etymology (read in the Internet Archive copies). Every part asked is named or described by both, except guide words, which are in (3) Merriam-Webster's own entry for guide word, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guide%20word, and (4) Wikipedia, Page header, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Page_header. (5) The facts in the sample entry for buddy were checked against the American Heritage Dictionary entry and Wiktionary. Licence: own work

The drawing: Drawn for this site on 2026-09-30. The page and its three entries are own work, written for this site; no dictionary's entry, layout or pronunciation symbols were copied. Licence: own work

How it works

The parts of a dictionary entry are the entry word, pronunciation, part of speech, inflected forms, numbered definitions, usage label, example and etymology, under the page's guide words. Name each one on a sample entry.

Read the full guide

Read an entry from left to right

An entry starts with the entry word in bold, split into syllables by a dot. Next come the pronunciation in parentheses and the part of speech in italics. Other forms of the word follow, such as a plural with a changed spelling. Each meaning then gets a number, and a label such as informal marks a meaning kept to casual use.

Parts that repeat

The page holds three entries, so some parts appear more than once. They light up together, and a tap on any of them counts. The two guide words at the top are the first and last entry words on the page, here bud and bump.

Square brackets mark the etymology. Some dictionaries put it before the definitions and others after.
A word is on the page when it falls between the guide words in ABC order: buddy comes after bud and before bump.

Questions and answers

What are the parts of a dictionary entry?

Most entries have an entry word, a pronunciation, a part of speech and one or more definitions. Many add inflected forms, usage labels, example sentences and an etymology. Guide words at the top of the page show which entries the page holds.

What are guide words in a dictionary?

Guide words are the two words printed at the top of a dictionary page. They are the first and last entry words on that page, so any word that falls between them in ABC order is found there.

What do the dots in an entry word mean?

The dots divide the entry word into syllables. They also show where the word may be broken with a hyphen at the end of a line of writing.

What does informal mean in a dictionary?

Informal is a usage label. It marks a word or meaning that belongs to casual speech and writing and not to formal writing.

Is this a real dictionary page?

No. It was written for this site and copies no dictionary. The entry for buddy follows real ones: the word is informal, its plural is buddies, and it probably comes from the word brother.