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English Dictionary

19 years ago

I am a Francophone but read a great deal in English and I am looking to invest in a very good English Dictionary and I was wondering if some of you can suggest good ones. I have a few but often I am searching for a word in them without success. I have a great one on "American Slang" and this one proved to be very valuable when I was reading certain authors.

Thank you in advance,

Anicee

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Comments (12)

cjoseph
19 years ago
The Oxford English Dictionary is probably the gold standard of dictionaries in English. The complete edition is available in various formats: standard print, micrograph print, optical disc, or web access. The company publishes various smaller editions such as the Concise, Pocket, Shorter, etc.
granjan
19 years ago
I agree. Unfortunately, you need the really big one. I keep a Concise by my bed but it often doen't have the words I'm looking up. Need the big one.
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veer
19 years ago
Anicee, if you want an 'English' English dictionary and the Oxford is too huge and heavy, I would suggest the 'Collins' English Dictionary. It is not impossibly big, about 3Â½ins/60cms thick although too heavy to carry around with you.
I'm sure you should be able to buy it in Canada.
So far the only word that I have been unable to find in it is 'bloviation'. I had to check Google for it where I found it was a 'made-up' American word never used outside the US!
dido1
19 years ago
I'll add my voice to the OED supporters. I find the Concise quite adequate for most everyday needs, but we also have a Shorter (2 vols) (and a 'complete', complete with magnifying glass because the print is so small!). The OED is also an etyological dictionary - ie will tell you something of the origins of words. The bigger the dictionary, the more it tells you.

Dido
ccrdmrbks
19 years ago
The OED by far, and you can buy a yearly on-line subscription-it's not cheap, but it is the best, and with the subscription, it is continually updated.
mummsie
19 years ago
Anicee, without question, the newly updated Canadian Oxford Dictionary

Here is a link that might be useful: Canadian Oxford Dictionary
mumby
19 years ago
Since you live in Canada I was going to recommend the Canadian Oxford Dictionary but see that mummsie has already beat me to it - so I'll just strongly second her recommendation.
biwako_of_abi
19 years ago
You can also buy a CD of the OED and have it all right there in your computer.
anicee
Original Author
19 years ago
Thank you all for your suggestions.

Anicee
granjan
19 years ago
The CD doesn't solve the problem of haing it beside the bed, where I do most of my reading!
anyanka
19 years ago
I always like a second opinion, and therefore have a Webster's for the American point of view and a Collins for the UK version. The Webster's is much better on etymology, but the Collins has a better vocabulary.

(Actually the real reason I have both is that one was mine, the other my husband's...)
cjoseph
19 years ago
Let us know what you finally decide on.

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