Sözlük

Sözlük, Turkish word meaning dictionary, a reference work listing words of a language with definitions, pronunciation guides, grammatical information, usage examples, etymology, and sometimes cultural notes. In Turkish, sözlük denotes a monolingual dictionary for Turkish or a bilingual dictionary translating Turkish to other languages. The term derives from söz meaning word or speech and the suffix -lük indicating a collection.

Dictionaries in Turkish can be general or specialized. General dictionaries present a wide vocabulary with senses, etymologies, and usage. Bilingual dictionaries translate between Turkish and other languages. Specialized dictionaries cover domains such as medicine, technology, law, or region-specific vocabulary; historical dictionaries document the evolution of language, names, and forms.

Typical entries include the headword, pronunciation, part of speech, senses with definitions, example sentences, etymology, and sometimes notes on spelling variations, regional usage, and common collocations.

Historically, Turkish lexicography developed under Ottoman influences and modernized in the 20th century, especially with the establishment of the Turkish Language Association (Türk Dil Kurumu, TDK) in 1932. TDK publishes authoritative Turkish dictionaries and maintains online resources, contributing to standardization and lexicographic practice. Other large dictionaries include bilingual and learner's dictionaries published by various publishers and universities; digital platforms provide searchability, audio pronunciations, and user-driven updates.

Sözlük is a fundamental tool in language learning, lexicography, publishing, and education, used by speakers, writers, translators, and researchers to ascertain meanings, usage, and linguistic history.