Index vs. Glossary — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
An index is a list of topics or keywords in a book with page numbers, while a glossary defines specific terms used within the book.
Difference Between Index and Glossary
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both the index and glossary serve as reference tools in a publication.
Index offers a list of topics, names, or keywords and their corresponding page numbers. In contrast, glossary provides definitions or explanations for specific terms used in the text.
In understanding the content of a book, both index and glossary are beneficial.
Index helps readers quickly locate information on specific subjects. Meanwhile, the glossary aids in clarifying unfamiliar terms or jargon.
Authors and publishers incorporate both index and glossary to enhance reader comprehension.
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The index acts as a navigational tool, directing readers to the exact pages where topics are discussed. On the other hand, the glossary functions as a mini dictionary for the book's unique terminology.
Depending on the nature of a book, either the index or glossary might be more extensive.
For instance, a technical manual may have a robust glossary to decode industry terms. Meanwhile, a history book might feature a detailed index to assist in pinpointing events, places, or people.
While index and glossary serve different purposes, they share the common goal of aiding readers.
They ensure that the content is accessible, and readers can delve into topics or terms with ease and clarity.
Comparison Chart
Primary Purpose
Navigate to specific topics or keywords
Define specific terms used in a publication
Content
Topics, names, or keywords with page numbers
Terms and their definitions or explanations
Position in Book
Usually at the end of the book
Can be at the beginning, end, or a separate section
Dependency on Text
Reflects the content of the book
Independent, based on terms within the book
Usage in Context
Helps locate specific information within the book
Helps understand specific terms used within the book
Compare with Definitions
Index
A list of topics or keywords in a publication with corresponding page numbers.
I checked the index to find the section on marine biology.
Glossary
A list of terms and their definitions related to a specific subject.
I referred to the glossary to understand the technical jargon.
Index
An alphabetical listing for easy content navigation.
The index in the back of the book listed all the important events.
Glossary
A section in a publication explaining specialized terms.
The textbook's glossary was crucial for students new to the subject.
Index
An indicator or measure.
The consumer price index shows inflation rates.
Glossary
A mini dictionary within a book or document.
To aid readers, the author included a glossary at the end.
Index
A numerical scale used to compare variables.
The body mass index (BMI) is used to assess healthy body weight.
Glossary
An alphabetical list of terms with explanations.
The book's glossary clarified many unfamiliar terms.
Index
An alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned.
Glossary
A glossary (from Ancient Greek: γλῶσσα / language, speech, wording) also known as a vocabulary or clavis, is an alphabetical list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with the definitions for those terms. Traditionally, a glossary appears at the end of a book and includes terms within that book that are either newly introduced, uncommon, or specialized.
Index
A thumb index.
Glossary
An alphabetical list of words relating to a specific subject, text, or dialect, with explanations; a brief dictionary
A glossary of Inuktitut words
Index
A table, file, or catalog.
Glossary
A list of often difficult or specialized words with their definitions, often placed at the back of a book.
Index
(Computers) A list of keywords associated with a record or document, used especially as an aid in searching for information.
Glossary
A list of terms in a particular domain of knowledge with their definitions.
At the back of the book you can find the glossary.
Index
Something that reveals or indicates; a sign
"Her face ... was a fair index to her disposition" (Samuel Butler).
Glossary
A collection of glosses or explanations of words and passages of a work or author; a partial dictionary of a work, an author, a dialect, art, or science, explaining archaic, technical, or other uncommon words.
Index
A character (☞) used in printing to call attention to a particular paragraph or section. Also called hand.
Glossary
An alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that field
Index
An indicator or pointer, as on a scientific instrument.
Glossary
An explanatory list of symbols, terms, or phrases.
The map had a glossary that detailed each symbol's meaning.
Index
(Mathematics) A number or symbol, often written as a subscript or superscript to a mathematical expression, that indicates an operation to be performed, an ordering relation, or a use of the associated expression.
Index
A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data.
Index
A statistical value that represents the price or value of an aggregate of goods, services, wages, or other measurable quantities in comparison with a reference number for a previous period of time.
Index
A number that represents the change in price or value of stocks or other securities in a particular market, sector, or asset class.
Index
The stocks or other securities represented by an index.
Index
Index Roman Catholic Church A list formerly published by Church authority, restricting or forbidding the reading of certain books.
Index
To furnish with an index
Index a book.
Index
To enter in an index.
Index
To indicate or signal.
Index
To adjust through indexation.
Index
An alphabetical listing of items and their location.
The index of a book lists words or expressions and the pages of the book upon which they are to be found.
Index
The index finger; the forefinger.
Index
A movable finger on a gauge, scale, etc.
Index
(typography) A symbol resembling a pointing hand, used to direct particular attention to a note or paragraph.
Index
That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses.
Index
A sign; an indication; a token.
Index
(linguistics) A type of noun where the meaning of the form changes with respect to the context; e.g., 'Today's newspaper' is an indexical form since its referent will differ depending on the context. See also icon and symbol.
Index
(economics) A single number calculated from an array of prices or of quantities.
Index
(science) A number representing a property or ratio; a coefficient.
Index
(mathematics) A raised suffix indicating a power.
Index
An integer or other key indicating the location of data, e.g. within an array, vector, database table, associative array, or hash table.
Index
A data structure that improves the performance of operations on a table.
Index
(obsolete) A prologue indicating what follows.
Index
(transitive) To arrange an index for something, especially a long text.
MySQL does not index short words and common words.
Index
To inventory; to take stock.
Index
To normalise in order to account for inflation; to correct for inflation by linking to a price index in order to maintain real levels.
Index
To measure by an associated value.
Index
To be indexical for (some situation or state of affairs); to indicate.
Index
(computing) To access a value in a data container by an index.
Index
That which points out; that which shows, indicates, manifests, or discloses; as, the increasing unemployment rate is an index of how much the economy has slowed.
Tastes are the indexes of the different qualities of plants.
Index
That which guides, points out, informs, or directs; a pointer or a hand that directs to anything, as the hand of a watch, a movable finger or other form of pointer on a gauge, scale, or other graduated instrument.
Index
A table for facilitating reference to topics, names, and the like, in a book, usually giving the page on which a particular word or topic may be found; - usually alphabetical in arrangement, and printed at the end of the volume. Typically found only in non-fiction books.
Index
A prologue indicating what follows.
Index
The second finger, that next to the pollex (thumb), in the manus, or hand; the forefinger; index finger.
Index
The figure or letter which shows the power or root of a quantity; the exponent.
Index
The ratio, or formula expressing the ratio, of one dimension of a thing to another dimension; as, the vertical index of the cranium.
Index
A number providing a measure of some quantity derived by a formula, usually a form of averaging, from multiple quantities; - used mostly in economics; as, the index of leading indicators; the index of industrial production; the consumer price index. See, for example, the consumer price index.
Index
A file containing a table with the addresses of data items, arranged for rapid and convenient search for the addresses.
Index
A number which serves as a label for a data item and also represents the address of a data item within a table or array.
Index
The Index prohibitorius, a catalogue of books which are forbidden by the church to be read; also called Index of forbidden books and Index Librorum Prohibitorum.
Index
To provide with an index or table of references; to put into an index; as, to index a book, or its contents.
Index
To adjust (wages, prices, taxes, etc.) automatically so as to compensate for changes in prices, usually as measured by the consumer price index or other economic measure. Its purpose is usually to copensate for inflation.
Index
To insert (a word, name, file folder, etc.) into an index or into an indexed arrangement; as, to index a contract under its date of signing.
Index
A numerical scale used to compare variables with one another or with some reference number
Index
A number or ratio (a value on a scale of measurement) derived from a series of observed facts; can reveal relative changes as a function of time
Index
A mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself
Index
An alphabetical listing of names and topics along with page numbers where they are discussed
Index
The finger next to the thumb
Index
List in an index
Index
Provide with an index;
Index the book
Index
Adjust through indexation;
The government indexes wages and prices
Index
A pointer or sign.
His mood is a clear index of his overall health.
Common Curiosities
How does a glossary benefit readers?
A glossary provides definitions or explanations for specific terms used in the text, aiding understanding.
Can a book have both an index and a glossary?
Yes, many books, especially academic or technical ones, include both an index and a glossary.
Which comes first in a book, the index or the glossary?
Typically, the glossary comes before the index, but the order can vary depending on the publisher's preference.
Can an index include names and places?
Yes, an index can list topics, names, places, events, and other keywords found in the book.
Do all books have a glossary?
Not all books have a glossary. It's more common in texts where specific or technical terms are frequently used.
Are indexes exclusive to books?
No, indexes can be found in various publications, including journals, reports, and manuals.
Can a term be present in both the index and the glossary?
Yes, a term can appear in the index indicating where it's discussed and in the glossary explaining its meaning.
What is the primary function of an index?
The primary function of an index is to help readers quickly locate specific topics or keywords within a book.
Do fiction books typically have glossaries?
While less common in fiction, a glossary might be included if the story uses specialized or invented terms.
Can a glossary contain images or illustrations?
Yes, some glossaries include images or diagrams to aid in the explanation of terms.
Is the content in a glossary always present in the book?
Typically, a glossary contains terms that appear in the book, providing definitions for clarity.
Why are index and glossary important in academic books?
They aid comprehension, helping readers quickly navigate to relevant sections and understand specific terms or concepts.
How is an index different from a table of contents?
A table of contents provides an overview of the book's sections or chapters, while an index lists specific topics or keywords.
Are there digital equivalents for indexes and glossaries?
Yes, digital documents or e-books may have hyperlinked indexes and glossaries for easy navigation and reference.
How are index entries typically organized?
Index entries are usually organized alphabetically for easy reference.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
