quote a dictionary definition in my essay

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Using Word Definitions in Formal Essays: Incorporation and Citation

by Robbie Glen

A side note on titles and abbreviations: This abbreviated title rule does not always apply for the body of your paper. The OED may be called the OED in the body because, although it is an abbreviated form, people actually call it this (at least this is my explanation). Generally, abbreviated titles are only acceptable within citations, e.g. a paper on Love's Labour's Lost, while referring to the entire title in the prose, may, after the play has been identified, thereafter cite simply by using LLL followed by the act, scene and line number(s). However, the author would not say, "When the acting company first performed LLL ?"-this is too informal, and while I have seen it done, it is rare and best avoided for our purposes. When we get into writing papers that compare and contrast multiple texts from this course, you'll be able to abbreviate Fight Club as FC and The Talented Mr. Ripley as TTMR in your citations, after the first time you've identified the text by its full name. In general, one word titles are not truncated to a single letter, so we won't be representing Vertigo as V .

I've attached the OED 's entry for sympathy as a noun; as you'll see, there are four main definitions, and #1 and #3 have sub-definitions. The citation I use above shows my reader that I am referring first to the entry for sympathy as a noun, secondly that it is definition number 3, and thirdly that it is sub-definition d. Citing so specifically is crucial, especially since differences between various definitions can often be maddeningly subtle on first examination. If you are using a definition to shape or support your argument, you want to eliminate any possibility of misunderstanding on the part of your reader.

Here is the link to the definition of Sympathy as a noun.

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How to cite a dictionary in APA Style

Published on November 6, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on January 17, 2024.

To cite a dictionary definition in APA Style, start with the author of the dictionary (usually an organization), followed by the publication year, the word you’re citing, the dictionary name, the publisher (if not already listed as author), and the URL.

Our free APA Citation Generator can help you create accurate citations for dictionary entries.

Cite a dictionary in APA Style now:

Table of contents, how to cite an online dictionary entry, how to cite a print dictionary.

Online dictionaries tend to be continuously updated, so you usually won’t have a specific publication date. In this case, write “n.d.” (no date) in place of the year and include a retrieval date:

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Citing from a print dictionary differs in that you’ll always be using a specific edition with a publication date, so this information should appear in your citation. Do not list the publisher a second time if it is already listed in the author position.

Print dictionaries still don’t usually list authors, although in some specialist dictionaries an author may be listed. If an author for the individual entry is listed, list them in the author position instead of the publisher, and do include the publisher at the end.

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Caulfield, J. (2024, January 17). How to cite a dictionary in APA Style. Scribbr. Retrieved March 12, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-examples/dictionary/

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Answered By: Gopal Dutta Last Updated: Sep 23, 2021     Views: 47344

You do not always need to cite and reference a dictionary definition. Whether you need to or not will depend on the type of dictionary and/or how you are using the definition in your work.   Language dictionaries   As you are not using the words, ideas or theory of an author, you do not usually need to cite and reference a language dictionary (for example the Oxford English dictionary). Instead, introduce the definition in your writing.  One way to present this is as follows:   According to the Oxford English Dictionary the definition of [XXXXX] is [XXXXXX]   If however you have a particular need in your work to cite a language dictionary definition, for example, if comparing varying definitions from language dictionaries by different publishers, follow the format as follows.  The example provided is for an online dictionary, therefore 'online' is used in the citation in place of the page number.

Example citation

(Oxford English Dictionary, 2016:online)

If you are going to refer to the Oxford English Dictionary again in your work, introduce the acronym OED in your citation as follows

(Oxford English Dictionary [OED], 2016:online)

Oxford English Dictionary. (2016) reference, v. 3 . Oxford: Oxford University. [Online] [Accessed on 10th February 2017] http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/160845 

Subject dictionaries and encyclopedias   As subject dictionaries and encyclopedias are usually written by a specific author/s or organisation, and contextual definitions are provided, you will need to cite and reference them in the usual way.   

Many subject dictionaries and encyclopedias, are edited books with entries written by different authors. In this instance follow the format for referencing a  Chapter in an edited book  

Example reference 

Muncie, J. (2001) 'Labelling.' In McLaughlin, E. and Muncie, J. (eds.) The SAGE dictionary of criminology . London: SAGE, pp. 159-160.

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How to Cite a Dictionary Meaning in MLA

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 79,602 times.

Citing a dictionary definition is a little different than referencing an authored book, but it’s easy to get the hang of. An MLA citation shows the reader exactly where to find the source you accessed, so you’ll need to provide specific information about the entry. Include an in-text citation in parentheses right after the sentence that referenced the term. On your works cited page, list the term, the dictionary's title, its edition, its date of publication, and the page number. For an online dictionary, include the URL and the date you accessed the site.

Making a Parenthetical Citation

• A basic parenthetical citation would be: (“Onomatopoeia”). Instead of placing the period after sentence, add it after the citation, like this: Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates or suggests the sound it describes (“Onomatopoeia”).

• For example, your in-text citation would look like this: (“Turn,” def. V. 2a). Note the “V.” stands for verb; use “Adj.” for adjectives and “N.” for nouns.
• Write the part of speech and definition number as it appears in the dictionary. A dictionary might organize entries with numbers and letters (such as 1a) or with numbers alone (such as 1.2).
• If the word has multiple entries but only a single part of speech, just include the entry number: (“Wonderful,” def. 2).

• An example would be: (“Emoticon,” [Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary]).
• Suppose your paper references the definition of “Emoticon” in both Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary . If your in-text citations were just (“Emoticon”) or (“Emoticon,” N.), the reader wouldn’t know which dictionary you were referencing.

Citing a Print Dictionary

• If you specified the part of speech and definition number, include them in your works cited entry: “Content,” def. N. 1c. [5] X Research source
• Since there’s no known author, use the first letter of the term when you alphabetize your works cited page. For instance, you’d list “Content” after an entry authored by “Butler, J.” and before one authored by “Darwin, C.”

• At this point, your entry would look like this: “Content,” def. N. 1c. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary ,

• Now your entry would read: “Content,” def. N. 1c. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary , 11th ed.,

• Add the date like this: “Content,” def. N. 1c. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary , 11th ed., 2003,

• Your finished entry would read: “Content,” def. N. 1c. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary , 11th ed., 2003, p. 269.
• If your definition happens to appear on 2 pages, write “pp. 269-270.”

Citing an Online Dictionary

• The first part works cited entry for an online dictionary looks the same as a citation for printed source: “Content,” def. N. 1.1. Oxford English Dictionary ,

• Your entry at this point would read: “Content,” def. N. 1.1. Oxford English Dictionary , 2018,

• Add the URL like this: “Content,” def. N. 1.1. Oxford English Dictionary , 2018, en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/content.

• Your completed entry would read: “Content,” def. N. 1.1. Oxford English Dictionary , 2018, en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/content. Accessed 23 September 2018.

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• Learn more about MLA style at https://style.mla.org . Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://style.mla.org/term-with-numbered-definitions/
• ↑ https://style.mla.org/distinguishing-dictionary-entries/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_books.html
• ↑ https://style.mla.org/when-citing-a-print-dictionary-in-mla-style-do-i-include-a-page-number/
• ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/help/citing-the-dictionary
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_electronic_sources.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html?_ga=2.19623804.558179429.1522454400-1709346682.1522454400

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / MLA Format / How to Cite a Dictionary in MLA

How to Cite a Dictionary in MLA

Dictionary – Definitions in print, on a website, or on an online database.

Citing a dictionary entry from a website or print book

Dictionary citation structure:.

“Title of Entry.” Title of Dictionary , edition (if applicable), Publisher, date published, page number or URL.

*Title note:  If the word you are citing includes multiple parts of speech and/or definitions, be sure to include the specific definition you are citing as part of the title. The part of speech should be abbreviated and italicized and included after the word, preceded by a comma. The definition number should follow the part of speech in parentheses.

For example, “Title of entry,  Abbreviated part of speech.  (Definition number).”

Dictionary Citation Example:

“Food Bank.” Cambridge Dictionary , Cambridge University Press, dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/food-bank.

Dictionary In-text Citation Structure :

(“Title of Entry”)

Dictionary In-text Citation Example:

(“Food Bank”)

Published August 10, 2012. Updated May 29, 2021.

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To cite a dictionary in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the entry’s headword (as it appears), part of speech, the title of the dictionary, and when applicable, the URL. If the definition lists multiple possible definitions, you also need to include the definition number. Templates for an in-text citation and a works-cited-list reference for an online dictionary entry are given below, with examples:

In-text citation template and example:

In parenthetical citations, use the term in double quotation marks.

Parenthetical:

(“Entry Word”).

(“Transliterate”).

When there is a definition number, use the term in double quotation marks followed by the abbreviation “def.” and the number as styled in the dictionary. Separate the definition entry word from the definition number with a comma.

(“Transliterate,” def. A18).

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

Style the entry title or headword by placing it in double quotation marks. Style the dictionary title by placing it in italics.

“Title of the Entry, Part of speech .” Title of the Dictionary , Year, URL.

“Transliterate, V .” Merriam-Webster , 2021, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transliterate .

Example with a definition number:

Include the definition number in the headword or entry title as it appears in the dictionary.

“Transliterate, V . (1).” Merriam-Webster , 2021, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transliterate .

To cite an encyclopedia entry in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the authors, entry, editors, publication year, title of the encyclopedia, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for in-text citations and works-cited-list entries of an encyclopedia entry, along with examples, are given below:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author in the first occurrence. In subsequent citations, use only the surname. In parenthetical citations, always use only the surname of the author.

Citation in prose:

First mention: Carolyn Ellis . . .

Subsequent occurrences: Ellis . . .

. . . (Ellis)

The title of the encyclopedia is given in italics and is in title case.

Surname, First Name. “Title of the Entry.” Title of the Encyclopedia , edited by Name of the Editor, Publisher, Publication date, page.

Ellis, Carolyn. “Systematic Sociological Introspection.” The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods , edited by Lisa M. Given, Sage, 2012, p. 854.

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Citing the Dictionary and Other Online Sources

A citation of any online dictionary or thesaurus should include the following information:

• headword of the entry cited (in quotes)
• title of the source (in italics)
• date the dictionary or thesaurus was published, posted, or revised (Use the copyright date noted at the bottom of this and every page of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.)
• full URL of the site (up to and including the file name)
• date you accessed the dictionary (in parentheses)

Here are three ways you might cite the entry for hacker in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, if you accessed it on May 8, 2011.

"hacker." Merriam-Webster.com . 2011. https://www.merriam-webster.com (8 May 2011). MLA Style: "hacker." Merriam-Webster.com . Merriam-Webster, 2011. Web. 8 May 2011. APA Style: hacker. 2011. In Merriam-Webster.com . Retrieved May 8, 2011, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hacker

Citing Other Online Sources

There is no universally accepted standard for citing online sources, but it is generally adequate to indicate the document's Web address, or URL (uniform resource locator), somewhere in the citation, usually following the date on which the electronic document was published, posted, or last revised (if known).

Thus a typical citation of an online source would show the author's name, the title of the document, the title of the complete work (such as the name of a periodical) in italics, the date, and the full URL. A URL is composed of the protocol used (such as http for Web pages; other less common protocols include gopher , ftp , and telnet ), the server's identification, the directory path, and the file's name.

Here are a five sample citations of online sources:

Agmon, Eytan. "Beethoven's Op. 81a and the Psychology of Loss." Music Theory Online 2, 4 (1996). http://boethius.music.ucsb.edu/mto/ issues/mto.96.2.4/mto.2.4.agmon.html Davies, Al. 1997. Mitral Valvular Prolapse Syndrome. Medical Reporter 2, 11 (Feb.). http://www.dash.com/netro/nwx/tmr/tmr0297/valvular0297.html Thursby, Ray. "Hopping into hybrids." Salon.com . Aug. 2000. http://www.salon.com/business/feature/2000/08/15/hybrid/index.html

In many cases it is necessary or desirable to include the date of access as well. Note that the date of access will often be the only date shown, since many online documents do not include dates.

Walker, John. "Resources for Learning French." http://www.fourmilab.ch/francais/1french.html (12 Aug. 2007).

Periodicals published on paper that happen to be accessed online may be cited just like normal periodicals, with no acknowledgment of their online status, if it is clear that the text has not been altered for the online version.

References to mailing lists or newsgroup postings should begin with the author's name, include the subject line (or a made-up descriptive subject line), and provide the name and electronic address of the mailing-list server or newsgroup and the date posted. A personal e-mail message can be called "Personal communication" with no mention of its electronic medium.

Marchand, Jim. "L'humour de Berceo." (1 Oct. 1997). Medieval Texts Discussion List. [email protected] Massey, Neil. "Year 2000 and Sendmail 8.86." (1 Oct. 1997). comp.mail.sendmail

Many mailing-list discussions are archived after messages are posted. Archives are usually maintained on the mailing list's server and may also be available through a Web page. An archived message is cited in its original form unless the message was accessed through a Web server rather than the list server or newsgroup.

McCarty, Willard. "The Fate of Universities." 13 June 1997. Humanist Discussion Group. http://www.iath.virginia.edu/lists_archive/ Humanist/v11/0097.html

Note: Since many online sources are highly subject to change or deletion, any online text likely to be cited — including personal e-mail messages — should always be either downloaded onto a disk or printed out and stored on paper (with a notation of the date accessed) as a permanent record.

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How to Cite a Dictionary With an In-Text Citation in APA

An in-text citation for a dictionary in American Psychological Association style varies slightly according to whether you're quoting the dictionary directly or not. However, any in-text dictionary citation in APA style requires the entry (word) and date of publication. A direct quote also requires a page number.

Indirect and Direct Citations

When referring to a dictionary entry, whether online or in traditional form, include the entry name and publication year at the end of the sentence, before the punctuation, in parentheses. If you quote directly from a traditional dictionary, also include the page number in the citation.

For example: Bone is a hard substance, consisting primarily of calcium, that makes up the majority of the skeleton (Bone, 2015).

A citation for a direct quote would look like this: Healing gods are described as being "patrons of human healers" (Healing gods, 2012, p. 648).

Need help with a citation? Try our citation generator .

• The College of St. Scholastica: Citation Help for APA, 6th Edition: Dictionary
• Simon Fraser University: Citation Guide: APA (6th ed., 2010)

Based in Gatineau, Canada, Kat Walcott has been writing entertainment and informative articles since 2008. Her work has appeared in major publications including Her Campus, Equals6 and Uppercase. She holds an honors diploma in social science from Heritage College and is currently majoring in communication studies and minoring in sexuality studies.

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How to Cite a Dictionary Website

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 25,647 times.

When writing a research paper, you may need to quote or paraphrase the dictionary definition of a word. If you use an online dictionary, you can't just cite the print dictionary. A proper citation lets your readers go directly to the source you used. The basic information included in a citation to a dictionary website is the same regardless of the citation style you use. However, the format differs depending on whether you're using the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), or Chicago citation style.

• Example: "Filibuster."

• Example: "Filibuster." Merriam-Webster's Learners Dictionary,

• Example: "Filibuster." Merriam-Webster's Learners Dictionary, 16 July 2018,
• If there is no date appears on the web page for the entry, simply leave this information out of the citation. Do not use the copyright date for the website.

• Example: "Filibuster." Merriam-Webster's Learners Dictionary, 16 July 2018, Merriam-Webster . www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filibuster.

• Example: "Filibuster." Merriam-Webster's Learners Dictionary, 16 July 2018, Merriam-Webster . www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filibuster. Accessed 27 July 2018.

• Example: ("Filibuster").

• Example: Filibuster.

• Example: Filibuster. (2018).

• Example: Filibuster. (2018). In Merriam-Webster's learners dictionary .
• If the dictionary has a named editor, list that name before the name of the dictionary. For example: Filibuster. (2018). In I. M. Wordsmith (Ed.), Merriam-Webster's learners dictionary .

• Example: Filibuster. (2018). In Merriam-Webster's learners dictionary . Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filibuster

• Example: ("Filibuster," 2018).

• Example: Merriam-Webster's Learners Dictionary , s.v. "Filibuster,"

• Example: Merriam-Webster's Learners Dictionary , s.v. "Filibuster," accessed July 27, 2018,

• Example: Merriam-Webster's Learners Dictionary , s.v. "Filibuster," accessed July 27, 2018, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filibuster.

• The abbreviation "s.v." also indicates to your readers that the source consists of alphabetical entries. Even if you were using a print dictionary, you wouldn't include the page number where the word appears. Rather, readers would simply look up the word.
• Well-known dictionaries are typically only cited in footnotes, not in the bibliography. When in doubt, go ahead and include the bibliography entry – especially for online dictionaries.

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• ↑ http://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/mla/encyclopedias
• ↑ https://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/cite-write/citation-style-guides/chicago/encyclopedias-dictionaries

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How to Cite a Dictionary Entry in Harvard Style

Published by Alaxendra Bets at August 27th, 2021 , Revised On August 23, 2023

Many texts include dictionary definitions that are either copy-pasted from a dictionary or rewritten to ignore plagiarism. Whichever method is followed, it’s important to cite and reference that dictionary entry. A dictionary ‘entry’ is just an academic form of referring to a dictionary term. If a writer has defined the term ‘jurisdiction,’ for instance, it will be said that the writer has used the ‘dictionary entry’ for ‘jurisdiction.’

In-Text and Reference List Format with Examples

1.    dictionary entries with author/dictionary publisher name.

In Harvard referencing, dictionary entries are cited in the text using the following general, basic format:

(Surname of the Dictionary’s author, Year Published)

For example, Hologram (Anon, 2014), where ‘hologram’ is the dictionary entry term that was has been in the text.

The reference list entry follows this format:

Author Surname, Author Initial. (Year Published). Title. In: Publication Title in italics. [‘online’ is written if an online dictionary was used] City: Publisher, # of pages. Available at: http://Website URL [Accessed Date Accessed].

For example:

Anon, (2014). In: 1st ed. [online] Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/hologram [Accessed 21 Jun. 2014].

Another example of citing dictionary entries as per Harvard style is:

( HarperCollins 2019, rehabilitate entry)

Note, however, that the word ‘entry’ may or may not be included with the in-text citation. It’s a personal choice of the writer. If it’s to be written, it should be done so consistently throughout the manuscript.

2.    Dictionary Entry with No Author Name

The general Harvard format for in-text citation of a dictionary entry without author name is:

Name of dictionary in italics followed by year accessed and entry title and page # if present, for example:

( World encyclopedia 2014, microeconomics entry)

In such a case, the name of the dictionary itself is considered the name of the author. Another example is:

( Dictionary of education 2015, curriculum entry)

3.    Dictionary Entry with Author Name Only

If only the name of the author is available and not the entry title, the following format for in-text citation is followed:

Name of author followed by year accessed and entry title and page # if present, for example: (Law 2018)

As for the Harvard reference list format, every type of dictionary entry uses the same format as the basic one given above, whether it’s an author-name-only, entry-title-only, or both.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to cite a dictionary entry in harvard style.

To cite a dictionary entry in Harvard style: Format: Author(s). (Year). Entry title. In Dictionary Title. Publisher. URL (if online). Example: Smith, J. (2023). Algorithm. In Oxford Dictionary. Oxford University Press. URL. Remember to italicize the dictionary title, and provide page URL if accessed online.

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To cite a press release in Harvard Style, follow the format: Title. (Year Published). [online] Available at: http://Website URL [Accessed Date Accessed].

To cite a tweet or Twitter page, simply include the URL of the page in the text in round brackets. The details are discussed in this guide

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Should you use Dictionary Definitions in Essays? (Answered)

Dictionary definitions are commonly used in university papers. It is also very common for teachers to mark you down for using them!

If you’re like me, you use a dictionary website or Wikipedia to find definitions of terms that you don’t understand. It can be very helpful to get your head around an idea.

Even if you use a dictionary or Wikipedia to help yourself understand a term, try not to reference these non-academic sources in your paper.

Below, I outline three reasons students who get top marks don’t use dictionary definitions in essays, and I weave-in some strategies for providing definitions from different sources:

1. Dictionary Definitions are too General. Instead, do this…

Dictionaries are written for the general public. They provide general definitions of ideas, not explanations of ideas from people within your academic field (be it Science, Education, Sociology, Communications, etc.).

Dictionary definitions were written by a group of very smart people (probably linguists) sitting around a room. They were not written by experts on specific terms or concepts.

There’s a good chance the same group of people who wrote the definition of ‘Science’ also wrote the definitions of ‘Scene’ and ‘School’. The chance that they are experts on science, scenes, and schools, however, is very, very low.

It would be much better if you got the definition of ‘Science’ from a scientist, the definition of ‘Scene’ from a media scholar, and the definition of ‘School’ from a professor in Education.

Furthermore, these linguists did not write the definitions of Science, Scene, and School for you to use in your essay.

They wrote them with a more general audience in mind: Children in Grade 3 learning words for the first time, people with English as a second language, or your grandfather doing his crossword puzzle.

To find a clear definition that is accepted in the field in which your degree is situated (Physics? Communications? Economics?) you will need to get that definition from an expert in that same field – not from a general linguist.

Take the term ‘Discourse’. Here’s how a few different people might define this term:

These three definitions of discourse are, technically, all true. But, these definitions exist in different contexts:

• If you were to write a 5 th Grade essay on the term ‘discourse’, the dictionary definition would probably be great;
• If you were to write a 100-level undergraduate essay in a Communications course, the definition by Expert 1 would probably work out okay;
• If you were to write a postgraduate essay in a Sociology course, the definition by Expert 2 would likely be the only one your professor would accept.

By sourcing a definition of a concept in your assigned readings or a textbook on your specific topic, you will get as close as possible to the definition that your teacher probably expects.

It is often a good idea to define terms early in your essay in order to clearly outline the scope of your discussion for your marker. You could, for example, start a sentence or paragraph early in your essay with:

By defining a term not through a dictionary, but in relation to your field of inquiry, you will start to grow your marks and look as if you have an in-depth understanding of your field of inquiry.

2. Dictionary Definitions are not Analytical. Instead, do this…

There are very few words that can be defined in one sentence.

Most words are defined and contested by different scholars. Some see it one way, some see it another. It is very hard to find one, an overarching definition that explains exactly how a word is used by everyone who comes across it.

Above, I provided three different definitions of a term and some examples of how they might be used in an essay.

One way to really show off your critical thinking skills is to provide several different definitions of a term and compare them.

Let’s take the example of the term ‘power’. This term is very much contested in nearly every field of inquiry. To be brief, Karl Marx and Jean-Paul Sartre would likely argue for days about what power is and how it operates in society.

Marx would contest that it is exercised by the powerful to oppress the weak; Sartre would contest that we all have some power in every situation in our lives, no matter how weak we are.

Here’s an outline of how you might want to be analytical in examining definitions at university:

1. Provide Expert definition Number 1.

2. Provide Expert definition Number 2.

3. Compare the two definitions.

Here, you can write one paragraph that goes well beyond just defining a term. By following these three steps, you are showing that:

• You have an understanding of two definitions of a term;
• You have an understanding that different people have different definitions;
• You have been analytical in showing how the two definitions differ.

3. It looks like you didn’t read Academic Sources. Try this instead:

Somewhere between 10% and 50% of all essays I read appear to be Essay-by-Google. That is, it’s clear the student didn’t read any assigned readings, textbooks, or journal articles in writing their essay.

These essays look like the student sat down 5 days before the due date, opened up Google, and started writing away. Teachers can tell because there are a lot of websites and, yes, dictionaries listed in the reference list.

No student is going to get a top mark when it looks like they wrote their essay by google.

If you want to make it look like you actually put effort into your essay, you want to avoid the appearance that you dug up the closes dictionary and copied down the definition.

Instead, always aim to find definitions from academic sources – preferably textbooks. Textbooks provide good, clear, and specific definitions for your area of inquiry.

So next time you want to provide a definition of a term, dig up a textbook, not a dictionary.

Now you know … Here’s how to Grow Your Grades:

Dictionary definitions are commonly used in essays right up to postgraduate level studies. You’re not going to fail if you use one, but you’ll never be a top student either.

Here, I have offered three reasons why you shouldn’t use dictionary definitions:

• Dictionary definitions are too general
• Dictionary definitions are not Analytical
• It looks like you didn’t read Academic Sources

Top students never use dictionary definitions. If you want to be a top student, you need to start finding new academic sources for your definitions. Here are two key points that I’ve outlined in this post to help you grow your marks when using definitions:

• Get definitions of terms from textbooks in your field of study. Check out our post on how to find scholarly articles if you can’t find them!;
• If you find two definitions, provide both of them;
• Compare definitions if you find several that disagree. How are they different?

To finish off, I want to give you one more reason not to use dictionary definitions that overrules the rest:

• Teachers hate Them

Even if you disagree with me and think dictionary definitions are great, the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of teachers don’t like dictionary definitions. They will mark you down for using them.

That alone should steer you away from ever using a dictionary definition in your essay ever again.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 17 Adversity Examples (And How to Overcome Them)

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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Encyclopedias & Dictionaries

• What Kind of Source Is This?
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• Books, eBooks & Pamphlets
• Book Reviews
• Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings
• Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
• Government Documents
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• Interviews and Emails (Personal Communications)
• Journal Articles
• Magazine Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Primary Sources
• Religious Texts
• Social Media
• Videos & DVDs
• In-Text Citation
• Works Quoted in Another Source
• No Author, No Date etc.
• Works Cited List & Sample Paper
• Annotated Bibliography
• Powerpoint Presentations

On This Page: Encyclopedias & Dictionaries

Encyclopedia or dictionary from library database - known author, encyclopedia or dictionary from library database - unknown author, encyclopedia or dictionary from a website - known author, encyclopedia or dictionary from a website - unknown author, encyclopedia or dictionary entry in print - known author, encyclopedia or dictionary in print - unknown author, citing two authors, citing three or more authors, abbreviating months.

In your works cited list, abbreviate months as follows: 

January = Jan. February = Feb. March = Mar. April = Apr. May = May June = June July = July August = Aug. September = Sept. October = Oct. November = Nov. December = Dec.

Spell out months fully in the body of your paper. 

It can sometimes be difficult to find out who the author of a website is. Remember that an author can be a corporation or group, not only a specific person. Author information can sometimes be found under an "About" section on a website.

If there is no known author, start the citation with the title of the article instead.

Capitalize the first letter of every important word in the title. You do not need to capitalize words such as: in, of, or an. Do not use all-caps (except for words like USA where each letter stands for something), even if the words appear that way on the article.

If there is a colon (:) in the title, include what comes after the colon (also known as the subtitle).

The publisher or sponsoring organization can often be found in a copyright notice at the bottom of the home page or on a page that gives information about the site.  When the page is authored and published by the same corporation/group/organization, omit the author and begin your citation with the title. 

Publisher information may be omitted for:

• periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers)
• works published by an author or editor
• web sites whose title is the same as the name of the publisher
• a web site not involved in producing the work it makes (e.g. user-generated content sites like  YouTube )

The best date to use for a website is the date that the content was last updated. Otherwise look for a copyright or original publication date. Unfortunately this information may not be provided or may be hard to find. Often date information is put on the bottom of the pages of a website.

If you do not know the complete date, put as much information as you can find. For example you may have a year but no month or day.

Access Date

Date of access is optional in MLA 9th edition. When no publication date is included, we recommend including the date you last accessed the site.

Note : For your Works Cited list, all citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent.

A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Entry." Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary , edited by   Editor's First Name Last Name, Edition if given and not first edition, vol. Volume Number if more than one volume, Publisher Name, Date of Publication,  pp. First Page-Last Page. Name of Database .  https://doi.org/DOI if there is one.

 Note : MLA 9th edition recommends including a DOI, stable link, or URL. We recommend that URLs be left out when citing a work found in a library database. Because library databases require a login most URLs will stop working after the session ends. If there is a DOI, include this as the last element, beginning with https://doi.org/.

If you do not have information such as an editor's name, a volume or page numbers leave those sections out of your citation.

 "Title of Entry."  Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary , edited by   Editor's First Name Last Name, Edition if given and not first edition, vol. Volume Number, Publisher Name, Date of Publication, pp. First Page-Last Page.  Name of Database .   https://doi.org/DOI if there is one.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Entry."  Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary , Publication or Update Date,   URL. Accessed  Day Month Year site was visited .  

"Title of Entry."  Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary , Publisher if known, Copyright Date or Date Updated,   URL. Accessed Day Month Year site was visited .  

"Title of Entry." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia,  Wikimedia Foundation, Day Month Year entry was last modified, Time entry was last modified, URL of entry. Accessed Day Month Year Wikipedia entry was last viewed.

 Note : The date and time the article was last modified appears at the bottom of each Wikipedia article.

Keep in mind that Wikipedia may not be considered an acceptable source for a college or university assignment. Be sure to evaluate the content carefully and check with your instructor if you can use it as a source in your assignment.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Entry."  Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary , edited by   Editor's First Name Last Name, Edition if given and not first edition, vol. Volume Number, Publisher Name, Year of Publication, pp. First Page-Last Page.

 "Title of Entry."  Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary , edited by   Editor's First Name Last Name, Edition if given and not first edition, vol. Volume Number, Publisher Name, Year of Publication, pp. First Page-Last Page.

If there are two authors, cite the the authors as follows (list authors in the order they are given on the page, not alphabetically):

Last Name, First Name of First Author, and First Name Last Name of Second Author.

Example: Smith, James, and Sarah Johnston.

If there are three or more authors, cite only the name of the first author listed with their Last Name, First Name followed by a comma et al.

Example: Smith, James, et al.

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• How to Write a Definition Essay

A definition essay can be deceivingly difficult to write. This type of paper requires you to write a personal yet academic definition of one specific word. The definition must be thorough and lengthy. It is essential that you choose a word that will give you plenty to write about, and there are a few standard tactics you can use to elaborate on the term. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when writing a definition essay.

Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Word

1: choose an abstract word with a complex meaning. [1].

A simple word that refers to a concrete word will not give you much to write about, but a complex word that refers to an abstract concept provides more material to explore.

• Typically, nouns that refer to a person, place, or thing are too simple for a definition essay. Nouns that refer to an idea work better, however, as do most adjectives.
• For example, the word “house” is fairly simple and an essay written around it may be dull. By switching to something slightly more abstract like “home,” however, you can play around with the definition more. A “home” is a concept, and there are many elements involved in the creation of a “home.” In comparison, a “house” is merely a structure.

2: Make sure that the word is disputable.

Aside from being complex, the word should also refer to something that can mean different things to different people.

• A definition essay is somewhat subjective by nature since it requires you to analyze and define a word from your own perspective. If the answer you come up with after analyzing a word is the same answer anyone else would come up with, your essay may appear to lack depth.

3: Choose a word you have some familiarity with.

Dictionary definitions can only tell you so much. Since you need to elaborate on the word you choose to define, you will need to have your own base of knowledge or experience with the concept you choose.

• For instance, if you have never heard the term “pedantic,” your understanding of the word will be limited. You can introduce yourself to the word for your essay, but without previous understanding of the concept, you will not know if the definition you describe is truly fitting.

4: Read the dictionary definition.

While you will not be relying completely on the dictionary definition for your essay, familiarizing yourself with the official definition will allow you to compare your own understanding of the concept with the simplest, most academic explanation of it.

• As an example, one definition of “friend” is “a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.” [2] Your own ideas or beliefs about what a “friend” really is likely include much more information, but this basic definition can present you with a good starting point in forming your own.

5:  Research the word’s origins.

Look up your chosen word in the Oxford English Dictionary or in another etymology dictionary. [3]

• These sources can tell you the history behind a word, which can provide further insight on a general definition as well as information about how a word came to mean what it means today.

Part 2 of 3: Potential Elements of an Effective Definition

1: write an analysis. [4].

Separate a word into various parts. Analyze and define each part in its own paragraph.

• You can separate “return” into “re-” and “turn.” The word “friendship” can be separated into “friend” and “ship.”
• In order to analyze each portion of a word, you will still need to use additional defining tactics like negation and classification.
• Note that this tactic only works for words that contain multiple parts. The word “love,” for instance, cannot be broken down any further. If defining “platonic love,” though, you could define both “platonic” and “love” separately within your essay.

2:  Classify the term.

Specify what classes and parts of speech a word belongs to according to a standard dictionary definition.

• While this information is very basic and dry, it can provide helpful context about the way that a given word is used.

3: Compare an unfamiliar term to something familiar.

An unfamiliar or uncommon concept can be explained using concepts that are more accessible to the average person.

• Many people have never heard of the term “confrere,” for instance. One basic definition is “a fellow member of a profession, fraternity, etc.” As such, you could compare “confrere” with “colleague,” which is a similar yet more familiar concept. [5]

4:  Provide traditional details about the term.

Explain any physical characteristics or traditional thoughts used to describe your term of choice.

• The term “home” is often visualized physically as a house or apartment. In more abstract terms, “home” is traditionally thought to be a warm, cozy, and safe environment. You can include all of these features in a definition essay on “home.”

5: Use examples to illustrate the meaning.

People often relate to stories and vivid images, so using a fitting story or image that relates to the term can be used in clarifying an abstract, formless concept.

• In a definition essay about “kindness,” for example, you could write about an act of kindness you recently witnessed. Someone who mows the lawn of an elderly neighbor is a valid example, just as someone who gave you an encouraging word when you were feeling down might be.

6: Use negation to explain what the term does not mean.

If a term is often misused or misunderstood, mentioning what it is not is an effective way to bring the concept into focus.

• A common example would be the term “courage.” The term is often associated with a lack of fear, but many will argue that “courage” is more accurately described as acting in spite of fear.

7: Provide background information.

This is when your research about the etymology of a word will come in handy. Explain where the term originated and how it came to mean what it currently means.

Part 3 of 3: Definition Essay Structure

1: introduce the standard definition..

You need to clearly state what your word is along with its traditional or dictionary definition in your introductory paragraph.

• By opening with the dictionary definition of your term, you create context and a basic level of knowledge about the word. This will allow you to introduce and elaborate on your own definition.
• This is especially significant when the traditional definition of your term varies from your own definition in notable ways.

2: Define the term in your own words in your thesis.

Your actual thesis statement should define the term in your own words.

• Keep the definition in your thesis brief and basic. You will elaborate on it more in the body of your paper.
• Avoid using passive phrases involving the word “is” when defining your term. The phrases “is where” and “is when” are especially clunky. [6]
• Do not repeat part of the defined term in your definition.

3:  Separate different parts of the definition into separate paragraphs.

Each tactic or method used to define your term should be explored in a separate paragraph.

• Note that you do not need to use all the possible methods of defining a term in your essay. You should use a variety of different methods in order to create a full, well-rounded picture of the term, but some tactics will work great with some terms but not with others.

4: Conclude with a summary of your main points.

Briefly summarize your main points around the start of your concluding paragraph.

• This summary does not need to be elaborate. Usually, looking at the topic sentence of each body paragraph is a good way to form a simple list of your main points.
• You can also draw the essay to a close by referring to phrases or images evoked in your introduction.

5: Mention how the definition has affected you, if desired.

If the term you define plays a part in your own life and experiences, your final concluding remarks are a good place to briefly mention the role it plays.

• Relate your experience with the term to the definition you created for it in your thesis. Avoid sharing experiences that relate to the term but contradict everything you wrote in your essay.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Definition.html
• http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/friend?s=t
• http://www.etymonline.com/
• http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/definition.html
• http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/confrere?s=t
• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/definition.htm
• How to Write a Definition Essay. Provided by : WikiHow. Located at : http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Definition-Essay . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (Access Requires Login)

• Overview of Instructor Resources

An Overview of the Writing Process

• Introduction to the Writing Process
• Introduction to Writing
• Your Role as a Learner
• What is an Essay?
• Reading to Write
• Defining the Writing Process
• Videos: Prewriting Techniques
• Thesis Statements
• Organizing an Essay
• Creating Paragraphs
• Conclusions
• Editing and Proofreading
• Matters of Grammar, Mechanics, and Style
• Peer Review Checklist
• Comparative Chart of Writing Strategies

Using Sources

• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Formatting the Works Cited Page (MLA)
• Citing Paraphrases and Summaries (APA)
• APA Citation Style, 6th edition: General Style Guidelines

Definition Essay

• Definitional Argument Essay
• Critical Thinking
• Video: Thesis Explained
• Effective Thesis Statements
• Student Sample: Definition Essay

Narrative Essay

• Introduction to Narrative Essay
• Student Sample: Narrative Essay
• "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
• "Sixty-nine Cents" by Gary Shteyngart
• Video: The Danger of a Single Story
• How to Write an Annotation
• How to Write a Summary
• Writing for Success: Narration

Illustration/Example Essay

• Introduction to Illustration/Example Essay
• "She's Your Basic L.O.L. in N.A.D" by Perri Klass
• "April & Paris" by David Sedaris
• Writing for Success: Illustration/Example
• Student Sample: Illustration/Example Essay

Compare/Contrast Essay

• Introduction to Compare/Contrast Essay
• "Disability" by Nancy Mairs
• "Friending, Ancient or Otherwise" by Alex Wright
• "A South African Storm" by Allison Howard
• Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast
• Student Sample: Compare/Contrast Essay

Cause-and-Effect Essay

• Introduction to Cause-and-Effect Essay
• "Cultural Baggage" by Barbara Ehrenreich
• "Women in Science" by K.C. Cole
• Writing for Success: Cause and Effect
• Student Sample: Cause-and-Effect Essay

Argument Essay

• Introduction to Argument Essay
• Rogerian Argument
• "The Case Against Torture," by Alisa Soloman
• "The Case for Torture" by Michael Levin
• How to Write a Summary by Paraphrasing Source Material
• Writing for Success: Argument
• Student Sample: Argument Essay
• Grammar/Mechanics Mini-lessons
• Mini-lesson: Subjects and Verbs, Irregular Verbs, Subject Verb Agreement
• Mini-lesson: Sentence Types
• Mini-lesson: Fragments I
• Mini-lesson: Run-ons and Comma Splices I
• Mini-lesson: Comma Usage
• Mini-lesson: Parallelism
• Mini-lesson: The Apostrophe
• Mini-lesson: Capital Letters
• Grammar Practice - Interactive Quizzes
• De Copia - Demonstration of the Variety of Language
• Style Exercise: Voice

How To Format And Cite A Word And Definition

There are different ways to format and  cite a word and definition according to different manuals of style . The main thing to do is be consistent.

What are some general rules for formatting?

It is important to offset the term that is being defined or discussed, usually by italicizing it (underline it if you can’t). This is to prevent any confusion that might occur if the term is one that might be mistaken for a word that is simply functioning as part of the sentence as opposed to being discussed as a word.

If you are using any foreign language terms or phrases in your writing, standard practice dictates they be italicized. Some confusion can result if foreign terms and words under analysis are italicized but are not actually being cited.

Do not capitalize the word unless it is a proper noun or falls at the beginning of a sentence.

The definition should be enclosed in quotation marks.

Some examples:

• Pendulous can mean “hanging down loosely,” “swinging freely,” or “wavering.”
• Emilia reminded us that  bossy is often considered sexist.
• Doing good in the world was his raison d’être .

What does the  Chicago Manual of Style say?

One leading style guide is the Chicago Manual of Style , commonly referred to as Chicago style. According to its 17th edition (University of Chicago, 2017):

• When a word or phrase is used as a word (i.e., not used functionally but referred to as the word or term itself), it is either italicized or enclosed in quotation marks.
• A translation of a foreign word or phrase (in italics) should be enclosed in quotation marks or parentheses.

The main principle is that both the word and its definition need to be set in either a different type (usually italics) or set inside punctuation marks (usually quotations marks or parentheses) so that they can be distinguished from the rest of the text.

How do you cite a definition from Dictionary.com in Chicago style?

If you cite a definition of a word you looked up on Dictionary.com and need to include it in your references, the basic format is as follows, exemplified by the word hangry :

Dictionary.com, s.v. , “hangry,” accessed June 17, 2019, https://www.diction-ary.com/hangry.

Note s.v. , which stands for sub verbo (under the word) .  The date accessed refers to the date you looked up the term, and the URL included is the link to the entry online.

Ways To Say

Synonym of the day

How to Put a Definition in an Essay

Rachel kolar, 27 jun 2018.

Do you feel passion for the words and ideas in your essays? While you may know your essay topic inside and out, your potential reader may not know all the verbiage or lingo. When writing an essay, you may need to define some of that terminology that is familiar to you. Writing a word-for-word definition from the dictionary can be awkward, and putting the definition in the wrong part of your essay can make it seem poorly organized or confusing. To use definitions effectively, you should be concise, use your own words and introduce the definitions in the body of the essay rather than in the introduction.

Determine whether the word is unusual enough to warrant a definition. Although you will need to define technical terms and jargon, do not define every advanced vocabulary word you use in an essay. For instance, if writing a sociology paper, you might need to define "Weltanschauung" or "anomie," but not non-technical terms such as "obdurate" or "didactic."

Rephrase the definition in your own words. If you use a word-for-word definition from a dictionary or textbook, you will have to include a full quotation, which will be more awkward than a paraphrase. The sentence, "The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines 'anomie' as 'personal unrest, alienation and uncertainty that comes from a lack of purpose or ideals'" is awkward; the sentence "Anomie is a feeling of unrest coming from the sense that one's life has no purpose" flows better.

Cite the dictionary or textbook from which you took the definition at the end of the sentence if you are using in-text citations. The first time you refer to this source, use the full title followed by the abbreviation. After that first reference, you can simply use the abbreviation. By taking the step of correctly referencing any definition source used, you can avoid plagiarism in your essay text.

Define the term in the body of the essay, not the introduction. The purpose of your introduction is to catch the reader's attention and establish your thesis, not to define terminology. Furthermore, the opening sentence "According to Webster's dictionary, the definition of [blank] is . . ." has become cliched. If you are worried that you cannot use the term without defining it, use synonyms in your introduction as much as possible.

Keep your definition brief. If you feel you must give a lengthy definition to elaborate on the term's various shades of meaning, break it into a few longer sentences. The lengthy dictionary definition form doesn't work as well within the essay format. If you define a word within the essay, it shouldn't be a disruptive part of the essay in length or wording. While a personal essay might seem a place for you to add your own thoughts to a definition; keeping the definition brief, concise and well-cited brings clarity to the essay, without adversely affecting your essay's tone or message.

• 1 Indiana University at Bloomington Writing Tutorial Services; Paragraphs and Topic Sentences; 2004

About the Author

A resident of the Baltimore area, Rachel Kolar has been writing since 2001. Her educational research was featured at the Maryland State Department of Education Professional Schools Development Conference in 2008. Kolar holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kenyon College and a Master of Arts in teaching from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

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I threw out my Kindle. Nothing compares to a paper book.

• I got a Kindle so my partner could sleep while I read at night. 
• I downloaded books to keep me company since I'm a night owl. 
• The experience of reading on Kindle was disappointing, and I missed physical books. 

It was 2 a.m . My side light was on, and my partner was wrestling with sleep beside me. I knew I should turn off the light to allow him to settle into a deep slumber, but selfishly, I was gripped by "After Dark" by Murakami. His book was an intense trip through a surreal night in neon-lit Tokyo, and I was completely captivated by the liminal vibe.

"When are you going to turn off the light?" I heard my partner say beside me, with a justifiably grumpy tone. I was eating into his sleep time and he had work later in the morning. I instantly felt a pang of guilt for reading so late, so I put my book down, turned off the light, and went to sleep.

Related stories

Over the next few days, I started researching the Amazon Kindle as a convenient remedy for reading at night. It ticked all the right boxes–it saved money and space, it gave me unbridled access to a wide range of books, it was portable, and it also had useful features like font customization. I was convinced and purchased one.

At first, I was excited

Once it arrived, I spent time downloading a bunch of fiction novels and relished in the fact that, as a night owl, I no longer had to choose between reading and letting my partner sleep. I could finally read in the dark. The Kindle was lightweight and gentle on my eyes. Perfect.

I went on a binge read and was easily going through one book every two to three days with the Kindle . It made reading so efficient and streamlined. However, something felt off. Reading an entire book on a digital device felt unnatural and impersonal.

Though I tried, I couldn't maintain focus. Full immersion into stories was difficult, and I found myself unable to recall certain parts. I could never quite get into stories the same way. And it's not just me — a 2014 study found that Kindle readers absorb less than on paper, and a 2019 study found that Kindle readers performed worse when measuring chronology and temporality.

I always knew a Kindle would be a hard sell for me because there's something uniquely special about the tactile nature of physical books. The sound of turning each page. The feeling of a book's crisp, textured pages. The delicate process of folding the corners of pages as bookmarks. Not to mention the earthy, nostalgic smell of a book.

I wasn't enjoying reading

It didn't take long to realize that reading, and how much I enjoy a book , was largely dependent on my other senses being engaged. This was something that a Kindle couldn't replicate.

Growing up, my favorite books were "Chocolat" by Joanne Harris and "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden. I distinctly remember how I felt when I first read them, the words turning into vivid images in my mind, latching onto every description, every dialogue, eagerly awaiting the next page.

But when I tried to reread both books on my Kindle, the experience was disappointingly lackluster. I didn't feel the same emotion and connection as I once did to the characters and story. I ultimately came to the conclusion that the Kindle created too much detachment for me, so it had to go.

I've always felt a deep, personal connection to printed materials, so I wasn't surprised when I fell out of love with the Kindle after less than a year. I'm the kind of person who is guilty of choosing a book from a bookstore or library just because I like the cover design, the text formatting inside, or the type of binding used on the spine. The Kindle didn't offer me that aesthetic thrill.

While I do sometimes miss the fact that I could literally bring my entire library with me on the go, I'll never underestimate the experience of reading a beautifully printed physical book.

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