reference book
8
2.6
- noun
- /ˈrɛfərəns bʊk/
- For accurate facts about plants, I always consult a reference book from the library.
- a standard reference book
- reference books for information
- many reference books
Examples
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That's an extremely valuable reference book.
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"Both teams will be delivered the same reference books."
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To help my knowledge, having some reference books would be nice.
Academic text (2013) -
Well, here are your reference books and your paper and your pencil.
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Students studied Native American mask forms in reference books and on the Internet.
Academic text (2006) -
Many social studies texts have copies of primary source documents and list helpful reference books for additional reading.
Academic text (1992) -
Many of the reference books were re-cataloged and put back into student circulation.
Academic text (2013) -
Kate is by the bookshelf gathering reference books on time and space.
Fiction book (2001) -
Research options could include the use of library reference books, CD-ROMs, textbooks, Internet sources ...
Academic text (2004) -
Writing about American English, I've learned the rewards of looking beyond the explanations found in reference books.
Academic text (2009)
Synonyms
300
1.0
A book that gives simple instructions and basic information
157
1.0
A book or website that lists words and shows their meanings
68
3.7
A book or set of books arranged in alphabetical order with short articles on many subjects to look up facts
62
3.1
A short book with useful information and instructions about a subject or place
39
3.7
A book or source you check for facts
27
2.1
A book that gives information and advice about a place or activity
12
2.5
A book that gives official rules and legal information
10
8.8
A book or guide that collects and summarizes important facts about a subject
2
6.6
A book or database that lists words and their meanings
2
3.5
A book you use to look up facts, not to read from start to finish
1
4.9
A book that contains important original documents for study or reference
1
4.4
A book that collects original documents and texts for study
1
3.7
A book or document that gives clear facts and instructions for quick checking
1
2.3
A book with information and advice for people visiting a place
1
4.8
A book that lists words and their meanings
1
3.0
A book with many facts you can check to find correct information
1
3.6
A book that gives basic facts about many subjects like history and science
An old book that lists words and their meanings
How Comprehensive
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a book consulted for authoritative information' is directly compositional from 'reference' (something consulted for information) + 'book' (a published set of pages). This noun+noun compound follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Reference book comes from the idea of a reference, something you 'refer' to when you need facts. It is a book you check for information rather than read from start to finish, so today 'reference book' means a book you use to find quick facts.