About Keywords
The Macquarie Thesaurus is divided into 809 keywords. A keyword denotes a broad area of meaning, within which related words are grouped.
Each keyword is divided into a number of sections, firstly by part of speech using the following abbreviations:
- N = noun
- ADJ = adjective
- V = verb
- ADV = adverb
- PREP = preposition
- CONJ = conjunction
- INTERJ = interjection
- PHR = phrase
Within each part of speech there are paragraphs and subparagraphs, arranged to reflect levels of meaning within the main concept. Usually, words with a general or abstract meaning are grouped before words with a more specific meaning. Each subparagraph has a summary word in bold type which serves as an indication of the area of meaning of the following words. Although the words within each subparagraph are close in meaning, they are not necessarily exact synonyms. They may be similar in meaning but have varying nuances.
The words and phrases following each summary word are in alphabetical order, except for those used in informal language. These informal words appear in alphabetical order after the subheading ‘Informal’ at the end of the subparagraph. Other labels indicating that a word is restricted in use by reason of region, time or level of language appear in italic type in brackets after the word. These labels include, for example, Archaic, Obsolete, Rare, Poetic, Literary, US (United States), Brit. (Britain), NZ (New Zealand), and those indicating an Australian regional usage. The symbol ‡ after a word indicates that the word may give offence, either because the word itself is taboo or because it has sexist or racist overtones. The use of two such symbols, applied to a small group of words, indicates an extreme degree of this restriction.
Finding Words
p>What do you do when you want to use a word with a particular meaning but cannot bring the exact word to mind? For example, you want to describe a meal you have enjoyed and the only word you can think of is ‘nice’. Key the word ‘nice’ into the Search panel of the Thesaurus.The following will appear on your screen:
18 Keyword hits for nice:
- APPROVAL
- COMPETENCE
- DIFFERENCE
- DISCERNMENT
- GOODNESS
- KINDNESS
- LAWFULNESS
- MEEKNESS
- MODESTY
- PLEASANT FLAVOUR
- PLEASANTNESS
- PLEASURE
- PRECISION
- PROMISCUITY
- RETICENCE
- SEX
- SOLITUDE
- UNWILLINGNESS
As you want to describe food, the best choice in this list is PLEASANT FLAVOUR. Click on this and the following will appear:
PLEASANT FLAVOUR
544
N 1 pleasant flavour deliciousness, lusciousness, mellowness, niceness, palatability, palatableness, sapidity, savour, savouriness, tastiness, toothsomeness; relish life, tang, zest.
ADJ 2 delicious ambrosial, ambrosian, delectable, epicurean, fit for the gods, flavorous, lipsmacking, luscious, mouth-watering, nectareous, nice, succulent, sweet, tasty, yum; Informal: delish, goluptious, more-ish, nummy, scrummy, scrumptious, yummy; delicate dainty, manikin, nice; savoury appetising, enticing, flavourful, flavoursome, mouth-watering, palatable, piquant, sapid, savorous (Chiefly US), savory, tangy, tasty, toothsome, zestful, zesty.
V 3 savour lap up, lick one’s fingers, smack the lips; taste good tickle the palate.
INTERJ 4 yummy Informal: delish, mmm, scrummy, scrumptious, what a feast, yum, yum-o.
The word ‘nice’ is highlighted in red in the first subparagraph in paragraph 2. In that subparagraph, you will find a range of alternative terms to ‘nice’, including several informal words, all under the heading delicious. A wider choice of words can be found by reading the whole of paragraph 2, including the words listed under the headings delicate and savoury.
In some cases, a subparagraph may not contain synonyms at all, but may be a list of examples of a particular category. If, for example, you search on ‘cheese’, and go to the keyword FOOD, you will find a list of nearly 100 different types of cheese. If you continue to browse through this keyword, you will also find lists of different types of fruit, vegetables, cakes, soups, and more.
Keywords
The following is a list of the 809 areas of meaning into which the Macquarie Thesaurus is divided. Click a letter below to jump ahead or scroll for all keywords.A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z