encyclopedic
adjective
en·cy·clo·pe·dic
in-ˌsī-klə-ˈpē-dik 
: of, relating to, or suggestive of an encyclopedia or its methods of treating or covering a subject : comprehensive
an encyclopedic mind
an encyclopedic collection of armor
Did you know?
In Greek, paidaea meant not simply "child-rearing" but also "education", and kyklios meant "general;" thus, an encyclopedia is a work broad enough to provide a kind of general education. The world's most eminent general encyclopedia, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, is a huge work that covers every field of human knowledge. But encyclopedic doesn't have to refer to books; it's often used to describe the wide-ranging knowledge that certain types of minds just can't stop acquiring.
Examples of encyclopedic in a Sentence
She published an encyclopedic study of ancient Egypt.
The event was described in encyclopedic detail.
his almost encyclopedic knowledge of movies
Recent Examples on the Web
Their newsletter contains so much encyclopedic data about the podcasting industry.
—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
His second novel was as encyclopedic and freewheeling as his first had been enigmatic.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Don’t forget to wash it down with a glass of vino from the encyclopedic list that wine director Chris Dunaway has put together.
—
Chadner Navarro,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
For inventory clerks, on the other hand, computers replaced their most expert skill set—their encyclopedic knowledge of a warehouse’s physical inventory—leaving them to perform more basic tasks such as scanning items and restocking shelves.
—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encyclopedic
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Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
His second novel was as encyclopedic and freewheeling as his first had been enigmatic.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Don’t forget to wash it down with a glass of vino from the encyclopedic list that wine director Chris Dunaway has put together.
—
Chadner Navarro,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
For inventory clerks, on the other hand, computers replaced their most expert skill set—their encyclopedic knowledge of a warehouse’s physical inventory—leaving them to perform more basic tasks such as scanning items and restocking shelves.
—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encyclopedic
Cite this Entry
“Encyclopedic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encyclopedic. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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