The effect of definitions on the use of word in students: The case of Afyonkarahisar province

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the forms of definitions in dictionaries influence students to use the word. It also aims to reveal the direction and extent of this effect, if the definitions have an effect. The first part of the thesis contains information about vocabulary teaching, dictionaries and definitions. In the second part, the method of the study is explained. The sample of our study is composed of 5th and 8th grade students in three different socioeconomic levels in Afyonkarahisar province in 2016-2017 academic year. Totally 180 students were included in this study and 30 students from each class level were randomly selected. Before starting the study, 10 words were determined among the 50 words less used in the language. In the prepared directive, each of the words was defined in a way to exemplify the different definition and the students were asked to use these words in sentences. This study was carried out by using relational screening model from the screening models of qualitative research methods. The data obtained as students' sentences were analyzed by using SPSS 21 program. The data were analyzed and the results were reached by considering socioeconomic level, gender and class level variables. According to the results of the study, it was seen that the definition forms in dictionaries were effective on students' sentences. The study ends with suggestions on the forms of definitions in dictionaries. Keywords: Vocabulary, Dictionary, School Dictionaries, Definition, Types of Definition