What is a Synonym?
Synonyms are words which have very nearly the same meaning. Synonyms can usually be used interchangeably.
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How can understanding synonyms empower my search? Knowledge of synonyms will help you form an effective query. Part of any good search strategy is the careful selection of keywords. Using synonyms as a strategy for generating keywords helps you more precisely describe your topic. Precise queries will return more relevant results. |
How can a thesaurus help when I form queries? Many searchers use a thesaurus (traditional or online) to generate an initial keyword list of synonyms. By using a thesaurus, you will often find new meanings that simply wouldn't have occurred to you otherwise. There are a number of well-designed online systems that will help you plumb the depths of a word's meaning.
- Thesaurus.com ( http://thesaurus.reference.com ) has an online thesaurus that offers in-depth suggestions, classified by concept. The site has many language tools including a dictionary, language translator, and a dictionary toolbar.
- Plumb Design offers a unique online Visual Thesaurus that prompts the user to work in 3-dimensions as they explore word meanings. ( http://www.visualthesaurus.com/online/index.html )
Authored by Dennis O'Connor 2003