libraries - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
libraries Word Meanings
- a place where books are kept for public use
- a collection of literary works or resources
- a building that houses literary and information materials
libraries Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
libraries Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈlaɪ.bər.i/
US
/ˈlaɪ.brɛr.i/
libraries Word Etymology
From the Latin 'liber' meaning 'book', combined with the suffix '-ary' which denotes a place. Originated from Latin → Old French → English. Imagine a grand building lined with shelves full of books waiting to be discovered.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I push open the library door and step into the quiet. I move along the shelves, my fingers brushing over spines and my eyes turning from one title to another. I adjust my pace, hold a book, and set it back as I compare ideas in my mind, sensing how the space keeps guiding my curiosity. The act of choosing and moving through the space helps ideas settle, and the library becomes a map for what I want to learn.
Real Context
A library is a place where books and other materials are kept for public use or borrowing. Beyond shelves of fiction, reference works, magazines, and digital resources commonly available, many libraries offer programs, study spaces, and access to computers. The word itself comes from Latin liber, meaning book, with the suffix -ary indicating a place. In English, library can refer to a physical building or to a collection of materials housed there. People go to the library to read quietly, borrow items, or attend events. When you say 'the library is open,' you are describing general access rather than a private collection.
Usage Reminders
- Pronounce: LI-brer-ee with the first syllable stressed. Use the, a, or my to refer to the building or the collection. Common collocations: library card, library loan, library hours. Distinguish library from librarian. Prepositions: in the library (inside), to the library (movement). Remember there are libraries and library systems, not 'librarys'.
Common Misconceptions
- Library always means a large public building; it can also mean a collection of works.
- Library and librarian are the same; a librarian is a person who works there.
- Books are the only materials in a library.
- All libraries lend everything for free.
- You must have a library card to read inside the building.
Thinking Differences
In English, library often implies both the building and the collection; learners may confuse library with librarian or assume every library has the same services.
Learning Tips
- Practice the pronunciation LI-brer-ee with the first syllable stressed.
- Learn common collocations: library card, library loan, library hours.
- Distinguish library from librarian to avoid confusion.
- Use in and at correctly: in the library (inside), to the library (going there).
- Remember plural: libraries, not librarys.
- Explore both senses: the building and the collection.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App