textbook
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: textbooks
Sense 1
A coursebook, a formal manual of instruction in a specific subject, especially one for use in schools or colleges.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Of or pertaining to textbooks or their style, especially in being dry and pedagogical; textbooky, textbooklike.
Adjective
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Having the typical characteristics of some class of phenomenon, so that it might be included as an example in a textbook.
Adjective
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “textbook” mean?
A coursebook, a formal manual of instruction in a specific subject, especially one for use in schools or colleges.
Is “textbook” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.