Best Dictionary
Many of us use dictionaries casually when we need to look up the meaning of a particular word or words. However, there are are actually a variety of dictionaries from which to choose, with some serving more particular kinds of needs better than others. Here's a list of five kinds of dictionaries and the purposes they best serve.
Why it's best:
The Oxford English Dictionary is the most detailed, academic, and comprehensive English dictionary available. The OED runs over 20,000 pages. For those especially curious about word origins and obscure words, the Oxford English Dictionary is the best choice. However, due to ... read full reviewAvailable From:
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Why it's a best pick:
The Webster's New World College Dictionary is a good alternative for those needing a fairly comprehensive dictionary, but not as extensive and large as the OED. Webster's New World editions are around 2,000 pages in length, or about one-tenth the size of the Oxford English D...
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Why it's a best pick:
The American Heritage College Dictionary is comparable to Webster's New World College Dictionary in terms of size and presentation. However, it does not contain the same level of informal, slang terms as the WNWCD....
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Why it's a best pick:
Franklin has made a variety of electronic dictionaries since the 1980s. Many traditional book-based dictionaries are so large that a lot of page-turning is often necessary to find just one word, but electronic dictionaries eliminate that by allowing you to type in the word y...
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Why it's a best pick:
Merriam-Webster produces the small paperback "pocket" dictionaries many enjoy having around the home and office for quick reference. These dictionaries have concise definitions of more common words, and their light size makes them very convenient. However, these di...
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