A thesaurus is a book of synonyms. Synonyms are words that have the same or similar meanings. Thesauruses also contain antonyms or words with opposite meanings.
An electronic thesaurus is easy to use. Some models may also include a dictionary, study materials and language-learning games such as Merriam-Webster products by Franklin Electronic Publishers.
Even though synonyms may have similar meanings, not all of them mean exactly the same thing. For instance, "hateful" is a synonym to "catty," yet the words have different connotations or implied meanings. "Catty" is usually used to mean hatefulness that is also petty and, usually, associated with women.
An electronic thesaurus is good for travelers and students because it can be carried anywhere. If you already have a wireless device with a Web browser and Internet access such as an iPod, a free online thesaurus can serve the same purpose and eliminate an extra purchase.
Electronic thesauruses are usually popular choices in the United State among foreign exchange students and language students.