index
To organize information so it can be easily found and retrieved
Examples
In a meeting
“We need to index all these documents by date and client name.”
Over coffee
“I'm indexing my recipe collection by cuisine type.”
Why this word
list
index is an organized, alphabetical or systematic reference guide with page numbers or locations, while list is any sequential arrangement
catalog
index provides quick reference access with page/location numbers within a work, while catalog lists items in a collection more fully
directory
index organizes topics/terms within a document for quick lookup, while directory organizes entities (people, places) with contact information
Usage tip
Use when creating searchable systems or organizing items with reference points for quick lookup
Etymology
Latin: index (pointer, sign), from indicare (to point out)
Get a new word every morning
One precise word per day. Under 60 seconds to read. Free forever.
Related words
aggregate
To collect or combine separate items into a single total or group.
delineate
To describe or outline something precisely and clearly.
glean
To gather information gradually from various sources
categorize
Place things into groups based on shared characteristics
compartmentalize
Separate things into distinct sections or categories
unify
To bring together into a single whole or system