What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Encyclopedia vs Encyclopedial - What's the difference?

encyclopedia | encyclopedial |

As a noun encyclopedia

is a comprehensive reference work (often spanning several printed volumes) with in-depth articles (usually arranged in alphabetical order, or sometimes arranged by category) on a range of subjects, sometimes general, sometimes limited to a particular field.

As an adjective encyclopedial is

(rare) encyclopedic.

encyclopedia

English

(wikipedia encyclopedia)

Alternative forms

* (chiefly British) encyclopaedia * (obsolete)

Noun

  • A comprehensive reference work (often spanning several printed volumes) with in-depth articles (usually arranged in alphabetical order, or sometimes arranged by category) on a range of subjects, sometimes general, sometimes limited to a particular field.
    • I only use the library for the encyclopedia , as we’ve got most other books here.
    His life's work was a four-volume encyclopedia of aviation topics.
  • (dated) The circle of arts and sciences; a comprehensive summary of knowledge, or of a branch of knowledge.
    • (Webster 1913)

    Usage notes

    The spelling encyclopedia'' is standard in American English, preferred in Canadian English, accepted in Australian and International English, and also very common in British English. It is more common than ''encyclopaedia , for example, in UK newspapers on Google News in 2009 by a 7:3 margin.

    Derived terms

    * -pedia

    Related terms

    * encyclopedical * encyclopedic * encyclopedic fiction * encyclopedist * encyclopedic dictionary

    See also

    * dictionary

    encyclopedial

    English

    Alternative forms

    * encyclopaedial *

    Adjective

  • (rare) encyclopedic

    • Synonyms

    * encyclopediac * encyclopediacal (archaic) * encyclopedian * encyclopedic * encyclopedical