It puts words and phrases into groups. Words and phrases that have the same or a similar meaning are put into the same group.

For example, a Thesaurus might group these words and phrases together:

A Thesaurus can help you improve your writing by suggesting more interesting words and phrases that you can use, but remember the words in a Thesaurus are not arranged in alphabetical order.

Try to improve these sentences by choosing a word or phrase that means the same as the one that is underlined. There are some words and phrases to help you or you can use your own Thesaurus if you have one.

Helen Keller was blind so she touched everything she came across.
Helen Keller was blind so she ( ran her fingers over / explored / made contact with ) everything she came across.

Helen Keller liked to smell the flowers.
Helen Keller liked to ( breathe the fragrance from / inhale the fragrance from / sniff ) the flowers.

Helen Keller enjoyed listening to the birds sing.
Helen Keller enjoyed listening to the birds ( warble / chirrup / twitter / chorus ).

Now choose some words of your own to improve these sentences.

The chocolate cake tasted good.
The chocolate cake tasted ___________________

In autumn, the leaves on the trees are nice.
In autumn, the leaves on the trees are __________________________

She looked at me for a few minutes.
She _____________________ me for a few minutes.