What if they forget a word in the dictionary?

Question

How do they know if they have all the words in a dictionary? What if they miss a word. I mean, you can't just sit there and try to think of every word in the English language....or maybe you can?

Answer 1

Dictionaries are compilations of words. I'm not sure of any which claim to have every single word ever used, and they're often updating adding new words and new meanings to words. So forgetting a word isn't a huge problem. Plus if you can't find it and you're sure it's a word be sure you're spelling it correctly.

Answer 2

An excellent book to read on the subjecy of dictionaries is "The Meaning of Everything" by Simon Winchester. It is the story of the Oxford English Dictionary and it explains how words are collected.

Answer 3

Well that's why the dictionary they have at the library is thicker than the one I have at home silly. If they forget a word in the dictionary then you can't use that word if your playing scrabble.

Answer 4

Lexicographers (the people who compile dictionaries) invariably add more words when a new edition of a dictionary is published.

Answer 5

If it is not in the dictionary it is not a word

Answer 6

People are constantly updating the dictionary.

Answer 7

Well if they forgot one, go alphabeticaly try and scratch it in between two definitions with a pencil. If your really determined, go to your neigboors house and do the same. :)

Answer 8

I dont know. But I do know they add and delete words annually

Answer 9

they use previous dictionaries probably and probably check over and over

Answer 10

if the situation arises and you notice it then write a letter of complaint.