Meaning & use
workbook
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A book with exercises and spaces to write answers, used for study or practice.
Grammar: Countable: a workbook, the workbook, workbooks.
Patterns
- a workbook for something
- work in a workbook
- do the exercises in a workbook
The teacher asked us to bring our workbooks to every class.
I bought a French workbook to practice grammar at home.
She finished the first three chapters of the workbook in one week.
nouncountable
A book of instructions or forms for a particular job or activity.
Grammar: Often used with a noun before it, as in a safety workbook.
Patterns
- a training workbook
- a safety workbook
- complete a workbook
New employees must read the training workbook before they start.
The safety workbook includes checklists for each machine.
He filled out the workbook during the workshop.
Word forms
| plural | workbooks |
|---|
Common combinations
- student workbook
- The student workbook has extra practice pages at the back.
- workbook exercise
- We did a workbook exercise on irregular verbs.
- workbook page
- Turn to workbook page 42.
- answer key for the workbook
- The teacher keeps the answer key for the workbook.
- online workbook
- The course includes an online workbook with automatic feedback.
Synonyms and how they differ
- manual
- A manual explains how to use something; a workbook contains exercises you write in.
- textbook
- A textbook presents information to read; a workbook is mainly for doing practice tasks.
- handbook
- A handbook is a small reference book of facts or rules, not a book of exercises.
Word family
Commonly confused: workbook or textbook? workbook or notebook?
workbook vs textbook
A textbook teaches you facts; a workbook gives you exercises to complete.
workbook vs notebook
A notebook is blank or lined for writing notes; a workbook has printed exercises.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'workbook' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A workbook is for writing answers to exercises, so 'wrote her homework in a workbook' fits. The other options use 'workbook' as if it were a story, food, or vehicle, which is not correct.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “workbook”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.