a walking dictionary

a walking dictionary

A person who has a very large vocabulary or knows the definition of many words and who can recite them when asked. You should ask my brother what it means—he's a walking dictionary! Compared to most sixteen-year-olds, Sarah is a walking dictionary. She must read a lot in her spare time.
See also: dictionary, walking
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a walking dictionary

or

a walking encyclopedia

If you describe someone as a walking dictionary or a walking encyclopedia, you mean that they know a lot of words or facts. She raised five of us on her own and she's a walking dictionary. He was a walking encyclopedia of music, full of wit and charm. Note: People sometimes use other words instead of dictionary or encyclopedia. He's a walking database on anything relating to insurance.
See also: dictionary, walking
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a walking ˈdictionary, encycloˈpedia, etc.

(informal) used to describe a human or living example of the thing mentioned: Geoff is a walking encyclopedia. He knows about everything. She’s a walking dictionary (= she knows a lot of words).
See also: walking
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • dictionary
  • encyclopedia
  • a walking dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.
  • rote
  • by heart
  • walking encyclopedia
  • walking encyclopedia, a
  • a walking encyclopedia
  • know (something) by heart
  • know by heart