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Public Administration & LegalISCO 2643

Lexicographer

Lexicographers write and compile the content for dictionaries. They also determine which new words are common use and should be included in the glossary.

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Rate 5 of the 11 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

follow work schedule

consult information sources

apply grammar and spelling rules

search databases

create definitions

About lexicographer

As a lexicographer, you will be responsible for creating, compiling, and maintaining dictionary content that serves millions of language users. Your day-to-day work involves researching new words and phrases, verifying their usage patterns, writing clear and accurate definitions, and determining which terms deserve inclusion in published dictionaries. You will consult linguistic databases, analyze written and spoken language samples, and collaborate with linguists and subject matter experts to ensure comprehensive and authoritative coverage of your language. As a lexicographer, you play a vital role in documenting how language evolves, capturing new terminology from technology, science, and popular culture, and making linguistic knowledge accessible to the public. Your work directly influences how people learn, understand, and use language correctly. The profession offers steady career prospects, particularly with the growth of digital dictionaries and language technology platforms that require ongoing content curation and linguistic expertise.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a lexicographer.

1

Dictionary Content Development

  • Research and identify new words entering common usage across various domains
  • Write clear, accurate definitions following lexicographic standards and style guides
  • Compile etymological information and historical usage patterns for entries
2

Linguistic Research and Analysis

  • Analyze written and spoken language samples from various sources to understand usage
  • Consult linguistic databases and corpus resources to verify word frequency and context
  • Evaluate grammar, spelling, and syntax rules for accuracy and completeness
3

Quality Control and Editorial Standards

  • Review dictionary entries for consistency, accuracy, and adherence to style guidelines
  • Verify copyright compliance for all quoted examples and referenced materials
  • Maintain detailed documentation of all changes and revisions to dictionary content
4

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

  • Collaborate with specialist lexicographers to cover technical and domain-specific terminology
  • Participate in editorial meetings to discuss new entries and dictionary expansion strategies
  • Maintain contact with linguists and subject matter experts to ensure accuracy

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (11)

practical lexicographypractical lexicographyThe science of compiling and editing dictionaries.linguisticslinguisticsThe scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.spellingspellingThe rules concerning the way words are spelled.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.apply grammar and spelling rulesapply grammar and spelling rulesApply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.search databasessearch databasesSearch for information or people using databases.create definitionscreate definitionsCreate clear definitions for words and concepts. Make sure they convey the exact meaning of the words.
Optional (17) — show
project management principlesproject management principlesDifferent elements and phases of project management.search enginessearch enginesThe methods and techniques to navigate search engines and find information quickly.typologytypologyThe subdiscipline of linguistics that structurally categorises languages by describing the common properties and structural diversity of languages.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.translate foreign languagetranslate foreign languageTranslate words, sentences, and concepts from a foreign language into your mother tongue or another foreign language.do historical researchdo historical researchUse scientific methods to research history and culture.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.consult with editorconsult with editorConsult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.supervise staffsupervise staffOversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.develop technical glossariesdevelop technical glossariesOrganise technical terms used e.g. in scientific and legal settings into terminology databases and glossaries to aid future translations.edit dictionary entriesedit dictionary entriesEdit the work of fellow lexicographers to make sure information is correct and complete.supervise worksupervise workDirect and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.create semantic treescreate semantic treesCreate coherent lists and hierarchies of concepts and terms to ensure consistent indexing in knowledge organisation systems.identify new wordsidentify new wordsDetermine if there are new words being used by a significant number of people by doing research.use dictionariesuse dictionariesUse glossaries and dictionaries to search for the meaning, the spelling, and synonyms of words.translate language conceptstranslate language conceptsTranslate one language into another language. Match words and expressions with their corresponding brothers in other languages, while making sure that the message and nuances of the original text are ...theoretical lexicographytheoretical lexicographyThe academic field dealing with the syntagmatic, paradigmatic, and semantic relationships within the vocabulary of a certain language.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a lexicographer do?

Lexicographers write and compile the content for dictionaries. They also determine which new words are common use and should be included in the glossary.

What skills does a lexicographer need?

A lexicographer needs 11 essential skills, including practical lexicography, linguistics, spelling, grammar, copyright legislation.

Will AI replace lexicographer jobs?

The AI disruption score for lexicographer is 81/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: spelling, apply grammar and spelling rules, use dictionaries. Most resilient: linguistics, consult with editor, scientific research methodology.

AI Replacement Risk

81/ 100
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Quick Facts

SectorPublic Administration & Legal
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills11

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