Which of the following terms best describes the understanding of the meanings of words?

The term that best describes the understanding of the meanings of words is vocabulary knowledge. This concept encompasses the range of words that a person understands and can use effectively. It goes beyond just knowing what a word looks like or how to pronounce it; it involves grasping its meaning, usage, and nuances in various contexts.

Vocabulary knowledge is essential for communication, comprehension, and engaging with both spoken and written language. The richness of a person’s vocabulary directly influences their ability to express ideas clearly and understand others. In contrast, the other terms—such as grammar knowledge, which pertains to the rules that govern sentence structure, or language proficiency, which refers to the overall ability to use a language effectively—do not specifically focus on the meanings of individual words. Word comprehension is a related concept but is more informal and often used interchangeably with vocabulary knowledge, lacking the formal specificity.