1. Selection of head words - selection of the items included in the dictionary is done according to the type and size (general, pocket dictionary).
2. Arrangement of lexical entries — the way the items are arranged, e.g. each other, where these two words should be listed under E or O.or they
should be separated, e.g. department store under D or S. Whatever option is implied there has to be used only one principle.
3.. Problem of homonymy and polysemy, e.g. pupil and pupil' - whether they have different entries in the dictionary;
4. Whether to list all the compounds of a word, all the derivatives possible; whether to list the obsolete words, the archaic words or slang words.
5. Definition of meaning - there are two types of dictionaries:
a. linguistic type - the interpretation is given in metalinguistic way; use of language is to describe language (sense);
b. encyclopedic type - using geographical and historical data to define the words - (reference).