tome - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
tome Word Meanings
- a large, heavy book
- a volume of scholarly work
- a book forming part of a larger work
tome Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
tome Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/təʊm/
US
/toʊm/
tome Word Etymology
tome = tomus (Greek) = a section/part + Latin tomus (book, volume) → Old French tome → English 'tome'. Visualize a scholar holding a huge, intricate book that represents vast knowledge, diving into its pages to find wisdom.
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 InputReal Context
tome is a large, heavy book, often a scholarly volume that forms part of a larger work. In English, tome can carry a slightly formal or even humorous tone, suggesting substantial length and difficulty. It is not usually used for ordinary books, magazines, or collections; instead, it refers to serious, comprehensive, or definitive works. Historically, a tome might be a single volume within a multivolume encyclopedia or a lengthy treatise. When you read about a tome in literature or academic writing, expect thick pages, dense notes, and deep scholarship. The word evokes an image of a scholar opening vast pages to extract knowledge.
Usage Reminders
- Use tome for very large, scholarly books
- Avoid using it for ordinary novels or magazines
- Pair it with volume or section to show it is part of a larger work
- Watch the formal or humorous tone about size
- Practice with academic or literary contexts
Common Misconceptions
- Tome is a generic synonym for any book.
- Tome always means an old, ancient book.
- Tome must be fictional, like a novel.
- Every large book is a tome.
- Tome is the same as volume or edition.
Thinking Differences
Tome communicates size and seriousness that other book terms like book or volume rarely convey; learners often overgeneralize, using tome for any big book or a favorite novel.
Learning Tips
- Practice pronouncing /toʊm/ clearly
- Compare with 'book', 'volume', and 'treatise' to hear nuance
- Read academic passages to hear Tome in context
- Use Tome in a sentence that implies size and seriousness
- Note collocations like 'thick tome' or 'ancient tome'
- Record and review 6 example sentences
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'tome'?
A.Funny joke
B.Thick book
C.Loud noise
D.Fast car
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'tome' correctly?
A.She borrowed a thick tome from the library.
B.I love driving my tome.
C.He told a tome at the party.
D.The dog barked tome.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'tome'?
A.Empty
B.Tiny
C.Short
D.Volume
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'tome'?
A.Massive
B.Pamphlet
C.Epic
D.Jumbo
Step 5: Mastery
In what context would you likely encounter the word 'tome'?
A.In a garage fixing cars
B.In a kitchen cooking recipes
C.In a library discussing books
D.In a park playing sports
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