book
book
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "book" is /bʊk/.
/bʊk/
/b/ - voiced bilabial plosive
/ʊ/ - near-close near-back rounded vowel
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive
Word Form Variations
Singular noun: book
Plural noun: books
Third-person singular present verb: books
Present participle verb: booking
Past simple verb: booked
Past participle verb: booked
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A set of written, printed, or illustrated pages bound together along one side and encased in covers, typically used for reading or reference.
Synonyms: volume, tome, publication, manuscript, codex
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "unbound pages" or "loose sheets" describe the opposite state, but not a true antonym for the concept of a book)
Definition 2: A series of interconnected events or a record of transactions, particularly in accounting or gambling.
Synonyms: register, ledger, record, log, chronicle
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "disorder" or "chaos" in the abstract sense of not being recorded)
Definition 3: A collection of information or a particular branch of knowledge.
Synonyms: field, discipline, subject, domain
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a field of knowledge)
Verb
Definition 1: To arrange for (someone or something) to have a place on a public transport service, a room in a hotel, a ticket for an entertainment, etc., in advance.
Synonyms: reserve, schedule, arrange, procure, secure
Antonyms: cancel, release, forfeit
Definition 2: To record something in a book or register, especially an offense or a reservation.
Synonyms: register, log, record, list, document
Antonyms: erase, delete, unregister, ignore
Definition 3: (Informal) To leave a place quickly.
Synonyms: hurry, dash, flee, scram, depart
Antonyms: linger, stay, remain, arrive
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) - Here, "book" is implicitly used as the medium for the novel itself.
"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. 'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.'" (F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby) - Again, the entire work is a "book."
Newspapers:
"The city council voted to book the new community center for the annual art exhibition next month." (Local newspaper report, e.g., The Daily Chronicle, 2025) - Usage as a verb meaning to reserve.
"Investigators are looking through old financial books to uncover potential irregularities in the company's past dealings." (Business section of a national newspaper, e.g., The Financial Times, 2025) - Usage as a noun referring to ledgers/records.
Online Publications:
"Here are the 10 must-read books for aspiring entrepreneurs in 2025." (Article on Forbes.com, e.g., "10 Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs in 2025," Forbes) - Usage as a noun referring to written works.
"Many airlines now allow passengers to book flights directly through their mobile apps, offering greater convenience." (Travel blog post, e.g., "The Evolution of Online Flight Booking," Wanderlust Explorer) - Usage as a verb meaning to reserve.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "Did you see that they finally booked the main suspect in the latest episode of Law & Order?" (Dialogue in a TV show or a discussion about it) - Usage as a verb meaning to formally charge/arrest.
Film: "The protagonist in the new action movie manages to book it out of the explosion just in time." (Film review or casual conversation about a movie) - Informal usage as a verb meaning to leave quickly.
Video Game: "Players can book specific missions from the main hub before venturing out into the game world." (In-game tutorial text or a game review) - Usage as a verb meaning to select/schedule.
Music: "I've been trying to book tickets for their concert for weeks, but they're always sold out." (Fan discussion about a band or concert) - Usage as a verb meaning to reserve.
Podcast: "In this episode, we're joined by a renowned author to discuss his latest book on artificial intelligence." (Podcast host introduction) - Usage as a noun referring to a published work.
General Public Discourse:
"I need to book an appointment with the doctor next week." (Everyday conversation) - Usage as a verb meaning to schedule.
"Have you finished that new book by the Kenyan author?" (Casual conversation among friends) - Usage as a noun referring to a literary work.
"The police decided to book him for speeding after he was caught going 150 km/h." (Informal discussion about a legal matter) - Usage as a verb meaning to formally charge.
"Let's book a table at that new restaurant downtown for Friday night." (Planning an outing) - Usage as a verb meaning to reserve.
"My grandmother always said, 'Don't judge a book by its cover.'" (Common idiom) - Usage as a noun in a metaphorical sense.
10 Famous Quotes Using Book
"So many books, so little time." (Frank Zappa)
"There is no friend as loyal as a book." (Ernest Hemingway)
"A room without books is like a body without a soul." (Marcus Tullius Cicero)
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." (Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!)
"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." (Toni Morrison)
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." (Ray Bradbury)
"Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them." (Lemony Snicket, Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid)
"Books are a uniquely portable magic." (Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft)
"That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet." (Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake)
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." (Saint Augustine)
Etymology
The word "book" has a fascinating history that ties back to nature and early forms of writing!
Our modern English word "book" comes from the Old English word "bōc". In Old English, "bōc" meant not just a book as we know it today, but also any kind of "written document" or "charter."
Now, here's where it gets really interesting: "bōc" is thought to have come from an even older language called Proto-Germanic, where the word was likely something like *bōk(ō)-. This Proto-Germanic word, in turn, is widely believed to be related to the word for "beech tree."
So, what's the connection between a beech tree and a book? Scholars have a few ideas:
Beechwood Tablets: One common theory is that early Germanic peoples would carve or scratch runes (their ancient writing system) onto thin strips or tablets made from beechwood. These wooden pieces might have served as early "pages" or records.
Beech Bark: Another idea suggests that the smooth bark of beech trees might have been used as a material for writing.
This connection between "tree" and "writing" isn't unique to Germanic languages. For example, in Latin, the word "liber," which means "book" (and gives us words like "library"), originally referred to the "inner bark of trees." This suggests that using tree materials for writing was a widespread practice.
While there's some debate among linguists about the exact path, the strongest and most widely accepted theory is that "book" ultimately traces its roots back to the beech tree, highlighting how early writing materials influenced the very words we use for them today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Book
By the book: According to rules or established procedures.
To hit the books: To study diligently.
To read someone like a book: To understand someone's thoughts and feelings easily.
Don't judge a book by its cover: Don't form an opinion of something or someone based on appearance alone.
To be in someone's good/bad books: To be in favor or disfavor with someone.
To take a leaf out of someone's book: To imitate someone in a particular way because you admire it.
To make a book: To compile betting odds for a sporting event.
To book it: To leave quickly. (Informal)
To book off: To officially record one's absence from work.
To throw the book at someone: To punish someone as severely as possible for breaking the law or a rule.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of book from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
