Word
tome
US/ˈtoʊm/
UK/tˈəʊm/
Definitions
01a large, heavy book
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal · Literary
n. a very large, thick, or heavy book, usually one that is serious or academic.
n. a large, heavy, or scholarly book. Often used to imply the work is physically imposing or intellectually dense.
“He pulled a dusty, leather-bound tome from the top shelf of the library.”
“The professor spent decades compiling his research into a massive tome that few students had the stamina to read in its entirety.”
Usage
Usually used as a countable noun.
Teaching tip
This word is often used with a touch of irony to describe a book that is unnecessarily long or difficult to carry.
Synonyms
02one volume of a series
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Technical
n. one specific book in a series of several related books.
n. one volume of a larger work consisting of several volumes. This sense reflects the word's etymological roots meaning 'a cutting' or 'section'.
“The first tome of the encyclopedia covers everything from A to C.”
“The historian consulted the third tome of the series to verify the dates of the late medieval treaties.”
Usage
In modern English, 'volume' is almost always preferred for this meaning.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“What if the challenging complexity and political engagement of his tomes are exactly what’s needed?” “Secondhand booksellers in the UK and Ireland are reporting a flurry of bulk orders from mystery buyers, amid speculation AI companies are acquiring the tomes for their data.” Etymology
From Middle French tome, from Latin tomus (“section of larger work”), from Ancient Greek τόμος (tómos, “section, roll of papyrus, volume”), from τέμνω (témnō, “I cut, separate”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/tome