Funny you should ask right now, when just came from Googling a definition. I can't remember the last time I used a paper dictionary, although I own several. I still have a very good dictionary for children. Large type, lots of illustrations. Might be nice to have one of those around for browsing.

I still do occasionally, as it seems kind of overkill to power up the machine to look up a word, but I do usually use the internet.

I have one here next to the computer but since I updated Firefox I now have 'spell check' (I didn't before) so I haven't used the printed dictionary for a few months.

Absolutley my Dad gave it to me in 1966.

I have a small pocket one at the computer because even with spell check some words are hard to find. I also have a small medical one.

I don't use a printed dictionary anymore.
I don't use spellcheck either.... not reliable.
I just throw the word in question into google and if it's wrong it comes back with "do you mean xxxxx?". Easy.

You bet, I keep one within arm's length!

I have my dictionary sitting right by my computer.

Yup, I sure do. I also have English/German dictionaries

I have one, but I don't ever use it. Most of my reading is on the internet. I simply highlight a word in question & the dictionary pops up. If I've misspelled a word in my typing it is underlined in red, I click on it & the proper spelling is shown. I look up a LOT more words this way, than I ever did with a dictionary.

When I'm reading a book, I really miss being able to click & get the definition.

I use lindakathy method.

Yes I do. I have one from the mid 60s right here on the shelf.

We have 2 dictionaries: one upstairs and another downstairs. I've been using a book dictionary since my college days and have not stopped. It's a comfort to know without a look-up the source and accuracy of the data. Also, it works in the back country, off the grid, and I've never had to replace its batteries. In fact, it worked when the power failed. Its relaibility is far superior to my computer gear. It has not had one minute of down-time in 40 years, a record that none of my computers can match. It also has a proper name index and a short set of grammar rules. There is a pronounciation guide as well. My copy contains selected small illustrations to further enhance the description of objects.

The dictionary's one drawback: You have to buy a new copy every 10 to 15 years if you wish to keep up with new words added to the language.

Will it ever go out of style? Not in my house. However, if enough folks shun the book, it will dissappear because it needs a certain sales level to survive. Lets hope there are enough of us out there who appreciates its value to keep it in print. If not, hang onto your copy - It'll be a collector's item.

We have 2 on the table, next to the Scrabble game that is always on the go.

I never use spell-check (I'm an excellent speller). But this site often underlines words that I'm typing, even though they are correct. e.g. It didn't like that I spelled fettucine even thought it's correct. It accepted fettucini (with an i) though.

I guess I haven't taken it out for a long time, since I started using the computer so much.
Haven't called information for a phone number since we got computers, either.

I suppose it makes a little sense for her to learn how to use a printed dictionary, and I do remember that I enjoyed just reading the dictionary, when I was a kid. Chloe is a different kind of child, though, and I can't imagine that she'd ever think to do that.

She will never know a time without the internet (or whatever comes after the internet) at her fingertips, though. People now debate whether it makes sense, moneywise, to have cell phones and to have the internet on their cell phones, but I expect that, by the time she's grown, that will be no more of an issue than whether to have electrical service in your home. A few people won't have it, by choice or because they can't afford it, but the vast majority will.

I have a small one in my purse and one by the web. I have spellcheck for my emails, but at the KT, I have to use the paper one. I have always been a good speller but lately some words just don't look right when I type them, so I will have to check. Especially when there are so many teachers on here. : -) I hate making spelling and grammar mistakes because that is the one thing I used to be good at.

At home, yes. At the office, I use www.dictionary.com

The way I see it, the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language is the best general purpose dictionary out there.

dictionary.com includes definitions from the American Heritage.

Thought I did... until Eric and I sat down to play Scrabble the other night. Apparently, we left it at my parents when we moved. Will have to get another one since Scrabble REALLY needs a paper version. Looking it up online just takes the fun out of a board game, lol.

That's true, we do have a dictionary for Scrabble, but it lives in the game box, so I'd never think to use it otherwise.

I do at work sometimes, otherwise I use One Look on the web or just Google.

When on-line I use Google for simple spelling questions -- it's great for that. But a good printed dictionary can be so much more satisfying. I use an American College dictionary from the mid-70's, my Dad still has an even bigger, thicker dictionary from the 40's that I grew up with. I like the tactile feeling of a heavy book and thin paper. I like skimming words alphabetically close to the word I'm interested in ... sometimes it reveals a relation between words that I wasn't aware of. I like the simple line illustrations for some words. I even like puzzling out the pronunciations using the special characters, and following the family tree of language development. If I'm "stuck" looking up a word's meaning on-line, I feel cheated, lol.

I keep the big The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1969) handy and reference it occasionally. I discovered years ago, (pre internet) that is contained a lot more words and better definitions that any Webster's Dictionary I compared it to. I may 'treat myself' to an updated one sometime when I happen across one at the right price.

Sue