/ vəˈkæbjələri; NAmE -leri/ noun [ C , U ] ( pl. -ies )
1.
all the words that a person knows or uses :
to have a wide / limited vocabulary
your active vocabulary (= the words that you use)
your passive vocabulary (= the words that you understand but don't use)
Reading will increase your vocabulary.
The word 'failure' is not in his vocabulary (= for him, failure does not exist) .
—see also defining vocabulary ➡ note at language
2.
all the words in a particular language :
When did the word 'bungalow' first enter the vocabulary?
➡ note at language
3.
the words that people use when they are talking about a particular subject :
The word has become part of advertising vocabulary.
➡ note at language
4.
(also informal vocab / ˈvəʊkæb; NAmE /) a list of words with their meanings, especially in a book for learning a foreign language
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (denoting a list of words with definitions or translations): from medieval Latin vocabularius , from Latin vocabulum , from vocare call.