What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
glossary
Example
The biology textbook includes a glossary of key terms at the end. [glossary: noun]
Example
I had to refer to the glossary to understand the technical language used in the software manual. [glossary: noun]
lexicon
Example
The English lexicon includes over 170,000 words. [lexicon: noun]
Example
She studied the lexicon of medical terminology to prepare for her exam. [lexicon: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Glossary is more commonly used than lexicon in everyday language, especially in technical or specialized fields. Lexicon is more commonly used in academic or linguistic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between glossary and lexicon?
Both glossary and lexicon are formal words that are typically used in academic or technical contexts.
