Compendium-Compilation | Commonly Confused Words
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Compendium vs. Compilation

Compendium

/kəmˈpendiəm/
A collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, usually in book form

Examples:

The book serves as a compendium of local folklore.Our guide was a compendium of beautiful travel destinations.Her speech was a compendium of historical achievements.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Compilation

/ˌkɒmpəˈleɪʃən/
A collection of things, like texts or pieces of music, brought together into a single work.

Examples:

The book is a compilation of classic short stories.She admired the compilation of the best hit songs.His compilation of recipes became a bestseller quickly.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • A compendium is like a summary or a concise collection of information often with a specific purpose, while a compilation is a gathering of various similar items, often without edits.
  • Compendiums focus on providing concise and summarized content, whereas compilations can include a range of detailed content.
  • Think of a compendium as a highlight reel or digest, whereas a compilation is a full playlist.
  • Compendiums often have the essence or most crucial parts of larger works, while compilations may include works in their entirety.
  • If you need a quick reference, you might seek out a compendium; for varied examples or complete works, you might want a compilation.
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