What is library? Pronunciation and usage in English

library means . Learn how to pronounce and use library through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of library

librarynoun

/ˈlʌɪb(rə)ri/
Definition & pronunciation of library

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "library" in English. It's a common stumbling block! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

ˈlaɪˌbrɛri

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • ˈlaɪ - This is like the word "light" but with a slightly shorter 'i' sound. Think of the 'i' in "lion."
  • ˌbrɛ - This is the tricky part! It's a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds). It sounds like "breh." The "r" is not pronounced. It's a brief, almost swallowed "r." It's similar to how you might pronounce the word "bread."
  • ˌri - This is like the "ri" in "river" – a short, clear "i" sound.

Here's a helpful mnemonic (memory aid):

Think of "library" as borrowing a light (ˈlaɪ) from the bread (ˌbreh) room (ri).

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce library" on Google and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/library/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers from different regions.

Important Note: While there are slight regional variations, the pronunciation above is widely considered the standard American and British pronunciation.

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Usage and examples with the word library in English

Let's break down how to use the word "library" in English. It's a pretty versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different uses, with examples:

1. As a Place (The most common use):

  • Definition: A building or room where books and other materials are kept for people to read, borrow, or study.
  • Examples:
    • "I go to the library every week to borrow books."
    • "The library is closed on Sundays."
    • "She works at the public library."
    • "Let's meet at the library after class."
    • "The library has a great selection of children's books."

2. As a Collection of Books (Noun - plural form):

  • Definition: The body of books owned by a library. Also refers to a collection of written material.
  • Examples:
    • "The library is full of fascinating historical documents."
    • "She built a small library in her home."
    • "He's researching several books in the library." (Referring to multiple books)

3. As a Verb (Less Common – but important):

  • Definition: To check out books from a library.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to library a few books for my project."
    • "Don't forget to library before the deadline."

4. Figurative/Idiomatic Uses:

  • "A treasure trove" or "a font of knowledge": Sometimes "library" is used figuratively to describe a source of information.
    • "The internet is a vast library of information."
    • "His textbooks were a library of knowledge on the subject."

5. Types of Libraries:

  • Public Library: A library available to the general public.
  • School Library: A library located within a school.
  • University Library: A library associated with a university.
  • Special Library: A library focused on a specific subject (e.g., a medical library, a law library).
  • Digital Library: An online collection of digital resources.

Tips for Usage:

  • "The" is often used: "The library" (referring to a specific library) is very common.
  • "A" is used for general libraries: "A library" (referring to libraries in general) is also common.
  • Proper nouns: Always use the proper name of the library (e.g., "The New York Public Library").

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Synonyms for the word library

Practice with vocabulary library

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks (4 sentences)

  1. Students often visit the university ______ to conduct research and access academic journals.
  2. Our local ______ recently acquired a new collection of historical maps and documents.
  3. The company maintains a digital ______ of all its past projects and client reports for quick reference.
  4. Before purchasing a new novel, I usually browse the shelves at the ______ to see if they have it in stock.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (5 questions — there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Where would you most likely go to borrow a book for an extended period? a) A bookstore b) A museum c) A library d) An archive

  2. Which of the following resources can typically be found at a modern public library? (Select all that apply) a) Quiet study spaces b) Reference books and periodicals c) Digital media and online databases d) Retail products like electronics or clothing

  3. The research team spent weeks compiling data from various academic sources found at the city's central ______. a) laboratory b) library c) lavatory d) lecture hall

  4. For historical documents and primary sources, researchers often consult a specialized ______. a) bibliography b) archive c) directory d) glossary

  5. The company maintains a comprehensive ______ of all its software licenses and user manuals. a) treasury b) inventory c) gallery d) summary

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences (3 questions)

  1. Original: I often go to the university building where a vast array of books, journals, and digital resources are kept for academic research. Rewrite using "library":

  2. Original: The person responsible for managing the local collection of books and providing public access to information is very helpful. Rewrite using "library" or related word forms:

  3. Original: The company maintains a comprehensive library of all its software code and development documents. Rewrite without using "library":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. library
  2. library
  3. database
  4. bookstore

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) library
  2. a) Quiet study spaces, b) Reference books and periodicals, c) Digital media and online databases
  3. b) library
  4. b) archive
  5. b) inventory

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. I often visit the university library for academic research, which houses a vast array of books, journals, and digital resources.
  2. The local librarian is very helpful; they manage the library's collection and provide public access to information.
  3. The company maintains a comprehensive repository of all its software code and development documents.

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