Headwords in a dictionary

 

Headwords in a dictionary are the main words that are listed in alphabetical order and are used to represent an entry or a definition. The headword is the word that appears at the top of the entry, and it is the word you search for when you want to find its meaning, pronunciation, part of speech, or other linguistic details. In simple terms, a headword is the word you're looking up in the dictionary.

Key Characteristics of Headwords:

1.     Main word: It's the base or root form of a word.

2.     Alphabetical order: Headwords are listed in dictionaries in alphabetical order.

3.     Pronunciation: The headword is often followed by a pronunciation guide.

4.     Part of speech: It typically includes the part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.).

5.     Definition: The headword will have a definition or several definitions depending on its use.

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Examples of Headwords:

1.     "Run":

o    Headword: Run

o    Part of Speech: Verb

o    Definition: To move swiftly on foot.

o    Pronunciation: /rʌn/

2.     "Happy":

o    Headword: Happy

o    Part of Speech: Adjective

o    Definition: Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.

o    Pronunciation: /ˈhæpi/

3.     "Book":

o    Headword: Book

o    Part of Speech: Noun

o    Definition: A set of written or printed pages, typically bound with a cover.

o    Pronunciation: /bʊk/

4.     "Quickly":

o    Headword: Quick

o    Part of Speech: Adjective (headword in its base form, used to derive other words like "quickly")

o    Definition: Moving fast or done in a short time.

5.     "Write":

o    Headword: Write

o    Part of Speech: Verb

o    Definition: To form letters, words, or symbols on a surface with a pen or pencil.

o    Pronunciation: /raɪt/

 

Headwords – Multiple Choice Questions

1.     The headword of "ran" in a dictionary is:
a) run
b) ran
c) running
d) runs

2.     Which of the following is the correct headword for "faster"?
a) fast
b) faster
c) fastest
d) speed

3.     The headword for the verb meaning "to feel sorrow" is:
a) sad
b) sorrow
c) cry
d) weep

4.     The headword for the adjective meaning "not heavy" is:
a) light
b) lighten
c) lightly
d) lighteness

5.     The headword for the noun meaning "a piece of writing" is:
a) write
b) written
c) writer
d) writing

6.     Which of the following is the headword for "happily"?
a) happy
b) happiness
c) happily
d) happify

7.     The headword for the noun meaning "an event or situation" is:
a) situate
b) situation
c) situational
d) situated

8.     The headword for "better" is:
a) best
b) good
c) better
d) improve

9.     The headword for "unbelievable" is:
a) belief
b) believe
c) unbelievable
d) beliefless

10.                        The headword for "written" in its base form is:
a) write
b) writing
c) wrote
d) written

11.                        The headword for "jumped" is:
a) jumps
b) jump
c) jumped
d) jumping

12.                        The headword for "more comfortable" is:
a) comfort
b) comfortable
c) comforted
d) more comfort

13.                        The headword for "playfully" is:
a) play
b) playful
c) playing
d) playfulness

14.                        The headword for "went" is:
a) go
b) gone
c) goes
d) going

15.                        The headword for "scientific" is:
a) science
b) scientist
c) scientific
d) scientifically

16.                        Which of the following is the headword for the word "watching"?
a) watch
b) watched
c) watches
d) watching

17.                        The headword for "beautifully" is:
a) beauty
b) beautiful
c) beautifully
d) beautify

18.                        The headword for "taller" is:
a) tall
b) taller
c) tallness
d) tallerness

19.                        Which word is the headword for "strongly"?
a) strength
b) strong
c) strongly
d) strengthen

20.                        The headword for "caring" is:
a) care
b) cared
c) carelessness
d) caring

21.                        The headword for the verb "to speak" is:
a) speaks
b) spoken
c) speak
d) speaking

22.                        Which of the following is the correct headword for "unhappiness"?
a) happy
b) unhappy
c) happiness
d) unhappiness

23.                        The headword for "longer" is:
a) long
b) length
c) longer
d) longest

24.                        The headword for "desire" is:
a) desire
b) desired
c) desiring
d) desires

25.                        The headword for "running" in its base form is:
a) run
b) running
c) runs
d) runner

Headwords – Multiple Choice Questions:

1.     a) run

2.     a) fast

3.     d) weep

4.     a) light

5.     d) writing

6.     a) happy

7.     b) situation

8.     b) good

9.     b) believe

10.                        a) write

11.                        b) jump

12.                        b) comfortable

13.                        b) playful

14.                        a) go

15.                        a) science

16.                        a) watch

17.                        b) beautiful

18.                        a) tall

19.                        b) strong

20.                        a) care

21.                        c) speak

22.                        d) unhappiness

23.                        a) long

24.                        a) desire

25.                        a) run