To choose the dictionary that is appropriate in learning synonymous words, we must consider the content of the dictionary. Some dictionaries contain of the
explanation about synonymous words, but some others are not. From the examples of dictionaries that are states above, the dictionaries like Oxford
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary and Longman Contemporary English are good to be used because those dictionaries contain the explanation about synonymous
words. Using dictionaries that provide the explanation about synonymous words and how they are used is important. Those dictionaries can be used by teachers as
a starting point to show students that: synonyms provided in the dictionary often unlock the meaning of a word and synonyms reflect shades of meaning which,
when used in context, heighten the accuracy of verbal or written communication. Therefore, teachers should promote the use of the dictionary to point up the role of
synonyms in increasing the student’s vocabulary and word skills Dale and O’Rourke, 1971: 280.
B. Theoretical Framework
Learning vocabulary cannot be separated from having knowledge of words. In teaching vocabulary, teachers should consider about what kind of words that
the students need to learn. Function words, such as articles, prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, auxiliaries, etc. are more appropriate to be learned in
grammar. While content words, such as nouns, ‘full’ verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, belong to vocabulary learning. Then, when we discuss about vocabulary
learning, we should focus on content words. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Knowledge of words itself contains of many components. The two of them are about frequency and meaning of words. High frequency words should be
taught in the very beginning stage of vocabulary learning. This is done in order to avoid misusing of low frequency words by the students. It is good for the teacher
to use a list of high frequency words to decide what words should be taught. West’s General Service List of English Words 1953 is highly recommended
since it is the most famous and most useful list of high-frequency words. It has not been replaced by other list of words. Another component of word knowledge is
about word meaning. In order to have the knowledge of word meanings, the students should know the meaning relationship of words. The students should be
able to choose the appropriate word to be used in a certain context. One of the study of meaning relationship is the study of synonym. A synonym is a word that
has the same or nearly the same meaning of other words. Although synonymous words have similar meanings one another, sometimes they are not
interchangeable. In order to have the knowledge of synonymous words, we also have to know the degree of synonyms, and the knowledge of how to distinguish
them. There are many advantages of learning synonymous words, especially for
vocabulary development. Learning synonymous words is considered as a good learning strategy in vocabulary development. In order to have an active
vocabulary, learners should know how a word relate to other words with similar meaning and in which context the words can be used. In this case, by learning
synonymous words, the students are able to have an active vocabulary. They will PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
not only know the meaning of a single word, but they know the words with similar meanings and able to use it to express their idea appropriately according to
the context in which the words are used. Dale and O’Rourke 1971: 52 states that learning synonymous words can help the students generalize and classify words
and concepts. It is also an excellent opportunity to learn concepts related to the denotative and connotative aspects of vocabulary development.
Another good learning strategy is dictionary use. Using dictionary gives much information that the students need in learning vocabulary, one of the
information is about synonyms. Therefore, dictionary use is a good strategy to learn synonymous words. There are many kinds of dictionary. The most
appropriate one is learner’s dictionary, since it is designed for the learners according to their need. The dictionary should be monolingual, because it gives
important information about the target language. Since there are many kinds of dictionary, students should be very careful in choosing the dictionary that they
need. In relation to the learning of synonymous words, they should be more careful in choosing the dictionary. Not all English dictionaries contain the list of
synonyms, and not all of them distinguish the synonyms. Good dictionaries for learning synonymous words contain the list of synonyms of a word and
distinguish them. Two examples of the dictionaries are Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary and Longman Contemporary English. In those dictionaries,
there are some boxes containing synonymous words, which explain how to use them in context.
In conclusion, mastering vocabulary also means having the knowledge of words. It includes the knowledge of meaning relationship. When the students
master vocabulary, they should have the knowledge of word meaning relationship. It means that they need to have the knowledge of synonymous words. To have a
good mastery of synonymous words means having the ability to differentiate some words that have similar meaning to be used in certain context. Moreover, in
mastering synonymous words, students should have good learning strategies. Dictionary use is one of it. However, they have to be very careful in choosing the
dictionary. A good dictionary explains about synonymous words and explains how to use those words in context.
