1. Dictionaries based on the language:
* Monolingual dictionaries: These dictionaries define words in the same language. For example, an English dictionary defines English words in English.
* Bilingual dictionaries: These dictionaries translate words between two languages. For example, an English-Spanish dictionary translates English words into Spanish and vice versa.
2. Dictionaries based on the type of information:
* General dictionaries: These are the most common type of dictionary and provide definitions for a wide range of words, including their meanings, etymology, pronunciation, and examples of usage.
* Specialized dictionaries: These dictionaries focus on specific areas of knowledge, such as:
* Thesaurus: Lists synonyms and antonyms for words.
* Medical dictionary: Defines medical terms and concepts.
* Legal dictionary: Defines legal terms and concepts.
* Technical dictionary: Defines terms used in a specific field, such as engineering, technology, or science.
* Idioms dictionary: Explains the meaning and origin of idioms.
It's important to note that these are just two broad categories, and there are many other ways to classify dictionaries. For example, some dictionaries are historical, while others are contemporary. Some dictionaries are prescriptive, dictating how words should be used, while others are descriptive, simply describing how words are used.