Big Book Word Study is an independent, unofficial study companion for readers of Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly called the Big Book.
This page explains the kinds of sources used when preparing word studies, study notes, page references, and related articles.
Primary recovery text
The main focus of this site is the printed Fourth Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, especially the front matter, The Doctor’s Opinion, and the first 164 pages.
Those sections are the main reference area for most word studies on this site.
Page references are given as study aids. They are meant to help readers find the surrounding passage in the printed Fourth Edition and read it in context.
Digital versions, large-print editions, the Plain Language Big Book, translations, and other formats may display pages differently.
Alcoholics Anonymous
The Big Book is the primary text discussed on this site.
When this site refers to “the Big Book,” it means Alcoholics Anonymous, the book published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
This site does not reproduce or replace the Big Book. It is designed for readers who already have access to a copy of the book.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions may be used occasionally for comparison, background, or future study notes, especially when a recovery word is strongly connected with Step language or Tradition language.
However, the main word studies on this site are focused primarily on the Big Book.
When a page or article relies on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, that should be clear from the context or noted where appropriate.
Dictionary and word-meaning sources
Big Book Word Study uses dictionary-style word study to help explain plain meanings, older meanings, and common misunderstandings.
The goal is not to turn every page into a technical dictionary entry. The goal is to help readers understand how a word may have sounded, functioned, or carried meaning in recovery reading.
Word meanings may be informed by older dictionaries, modern dictionaries, etymology references, and common English usage.
Concordance and page-reference tools
Some page references and word-location checks may be informed by concordance-style tools or careful page checking.
These tools are useful for finding where words appear, but they do not replace reading the surrounding passage.
A word can appear on a page without that page being the best study reference. Likewise, an important idea may be present even when the exact word is not used.
For that reason, some pages use wording such as:
“Look for this word near pages…”
“Look for this idea near pages…”
“Look for this phrase and related language near pages…”
Those phrases are intentional.
Related words
Related words are chosen to help readers compare connected recovery ideas.
For example, a word like shame may connect with guilt, conscience, humility, inventory, amends, and responsibility.
Related words are not meant to be a formal index of every possible connection. They are study prompts.
When a related word already has a page on this site, it may be linked. When a related word does not have a page yet, it may appear as plain text until a future page is added.
Related study tools
Some readers may also find optional study tools helpful, such as dictionaries, notebooks, concordance tools, the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, or recovery-focused Bible study resources.
See: Related Study Tools
Independent and unofficial
Big Book Word Study is independent and unofficial.
It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., or any AA service body.
This site does not speak for AA, AAWS, any group, any service structure, or any recovery fellowship.
The purpose of this site is to help readers study words more carefully while reading the Big Book for themselves.