Wikipedia vs. Encyclopedia — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 13, 2024
Wikipedia is a free, web-based encyclopedia that anyone can edit, while traditional encyclopedias are curated by experts and often require purchase.
Difference Between Wikipedia and Encyclopedia
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wikipedia operates as an online platform where content can be freely edited by anyone with internet access, leading to a dynamic and rapidly updated repository of information. Whereas traditional encyclopedias are typically written by scholars and experts in various fields, ensuring a high standard of accuracy and reliability but at a slower update pace.
Wikipedia's open-edit policy allows for inclusivity and a broad spectrum of knowledge, while traditional encyclopedias offer a controlled and vetted information source, minimizing the risk of misinformation.
However, the vast reach and accessibility of Wikipedia make it a popular first stop for general knowledge, contrasting with the authoritative but less accessible traditional encyclopedias that may require library access or purchase.
Traditional encyclopedias undergo rigorous editorial review and fact-checking, providing a level of credibility that Wikipedia’s volunteer-based moderation might not always match. On the other hand, Wikipedia's capacity to include a wider array of contemporary topics is unparalleled in traditional formats.
Comparison Chart
Access
Free online
Often requires purchase or library access
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Authorship
Public contributions
Written by experts
Update Frequency
Continuous
Periodic updates, often annually
Content Scope
Broad, includes timely topics
More selective and timeless
Accuracy
Varies, can be edited by anyone
Generally high, expert-reviewed
Compare with Definitions
Wikipedia
Free content.
Wikipedia provides information at no cost to users.
Encyclopedia
Published volumes.
Encyclopedias are traditionally bound in book form.
Wikipedia
User-edited encyclopedia.
Wikipedia allows real-time updates by users around the world.
Encyclopedia
Expert-authored reference.
Each entry in an encyclopedia is meticulously researched by experts.
Wikipedia
Multilingual.
Wikipedia is available in over 300 languages.
Encyclopedia
Reviewed content.
Encyclopedia entries undergo rigorous editorial review.
Wikipedia
Online platform.
Wikipedia is accessible via any internet-connected device.
Encyclopedia
Subscription-based access.
Many encyclopedias require a purchase or subscription for access.
Wikipedia
Community moderation.
Wikipedia relies on volunteer contributors and editors for content accuracy.
Encyclopedia
Educational resource.
Encyclopedias are widely used in educational institutions for reliable information.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia ( (listen) wik-ih-PEE-dee-ə or (listen) wik-ee-) is a free content, multilingual online encyclopedia written and maintained by a community of volunteer contributors through a model of open collaboration, using a wiki-based editing system. Wikipedia is the largest and most-read reference work in history, and is consistently one of the 15 most popular websites as ranked by Alexa; as of 2021, it was ranked as the 13th most popular site.
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia (American English), encyclopædia, or encyclopaedia (British English) is a reference work or compendium providing summaries of knowledge either from all branches or from a particular field or discipline. Encyclopedias are divided into articles or entries that are often arranged alphabetically by article name and sometimes by thematic categories.
Wikipedia
Alternative case form of Wikipedia
Encyclopedia
A comprehensive reference work containing articles on a wide range of subjects or on numerous aspects of a particular field, usually arranged alphabetically.
Encyclopedia
A comprehensive reference work (often spanning several printed volumes) with articles (usually arranged in alphabetical order, or sometimes arranged by category) on a range of subjects, sometimes general, sometimes limited to a particular field.
I only use the library for the encyclopedia, as we’ve got most other books here.
His life's work is a four-volume encyclopedia of aviation topics.
Encyclopedia
(dated) The circle of arts and sciences; a comprehensive summary of knowledge, or of a branch of knowledge.
Encyclopedia
The circle of arts and sciences; a comprehensive summary of knowledge, or of a branch of knowledge; esp., a work in which the various branches of science or art are discussed separately, and usually in alphabetical order; a cyclopedia.
Encyclopedia
A reference work (often in several volumes) containing articles on various topics (often arranged in alphabetical order) dealing with the entire range of human knowledge or with some particular specialty
Common Curiosities
Can anyone edit Wikipedia?
Yes, Wikipedia can be edited by any user around the world.
How reliable is Wikipedia compared to traditional encyclopedias?
Wikipedia's reliability can vary due to its public editability, whereas traditional encyclopedias generally offer more consistently reliable content due to expert authorship and editorial oversight.
Is Wikipedia available in multiple languages?
Yes, Wikipedia is available in over 300 languages, making it widely accessible globally.
Are traditional encyclopedias updated?
Yes, but updates are less frequent, often annual or in new editions, unlike Wikipedia's continuous updates.
What is Wikipedia?
Wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaboratively edited encyclopedia.
How do traditional encyclopedias manage inaccuracies?
Traditional encyclopedias have stringent review processes involving expert contributions and editorial oversight to manage inaccuracies.
Why do schools often prefer traditional encyclopedias over Wikipedia?
Schools prefer traditional encyclopedias for their reliable, expert-reviewed content, especially for academic research.
How does Wikipedia handle misinformation?
Wikipedia has community guidelines and volunteer editors who work to correct and remove misinformation, although the process may not catch all errors immediately.
Are encyclopedias available online?
Yes, many traditional encyclopedias have online versions, though access may require a subscription.
What is a traditional encyclopedia?
A traditional encyclopedia is a comprehensive collection of knowledge, often written by experts and published in physical volumes or online.
How does the cost of accessing Wikipedia compare to traditional encyclopedias?
Wikipedia is free, whereas traditional encyclopedias may require a purchase or subscription.
What kind of topics can be found in Wikipedia that might not be in traditional encyclopedias?
Wikipedia often includes more contemporary and niche topics that traditional encyclopedias may not cover due to publication timelines.
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Written 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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
