word finder
- noun
- /wɜrd ˈfaɪndər/
- The word finder helped me recall the right term for my essay.
Examples
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She uses a word finder when writing poetry to choose precise words.
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I keep a word finder on my desk for times when I'm stuck.
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I need a word finder for my writing class.
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Using a word finder can help improve your vocabulary.
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I keep a word finder on my desk for times when I'm stuck.
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The word finder helped me recall the right term for my essay.
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She uses a word finder when writing poetry to choose precise words.
Synonyms
165
1.0
A book or website that lists words and shows their meanings
A book or website that helps you find a word you cannot remember
A book that lists words and their meanings
An online tool that suggests words with similar meanings for writing
How Helpful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a tool or reference that helps find a word' is directly derivable from combining 'word' (a unit of language) with 'finder' (one that finds), so 'word finder' naturally denotes something that finds words. This noun-noun compounding follows a very common, compositional pattern in English (and parallels in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand the MWE.
Etymology
The noun word finder comes from the simple idea of a tool that 'finds' words you cannot remember. Imagine a helper that points to the right word when you are stuck, so it really is a finder. That's why it means 'a book or tool that helps you find a word'.