skip to main content

Reader's Paradise

Book related, choice for dictionary and theasarus

11 years ago

My two middle-school nephews need a really good dictionary and thesaurus. I'd lilke to give them ones that can take them through high school and then into college.

Yes, they have access to the Internet, but I want them to have real dictionaries and thesauruses with paper and ink and heft and a sense of "learning." I love dictionaries, and all books. I try to expose all the kiddos to them, too.

For myself I have a 15-year old (?) huge Webster's NewWorld Dictionary, Third World Edition, and a Roget's Thesaurus.

Which dictionary and thesaurus would you suggest for these middle-school to starting college boys? I'd rather err on the side of too-much info rather than too-little.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

carolyn_ky
11 years ago
My dictionary is Webster's Collegiate, 7th Edition, so you can tell I've had it a long time--since I was 16-- and I still use it.

I don't see how you can beat Roget's for a thesaurus.
sheriz6
11 years ago
My only suggestion would be that you select paperbacks vs. hardcovers for ease of use and portability. Kids do like to take the path of least resistance :) I still have my Websters Collegiate Dictionary (9th edition - given to me at my first "real" writing job) and a worn-to-pieces paperback Rogets (vintage 1970-something), both of which I still use.

I don't want to discourage you at all because I totally agree with your position on books vs. the internet, but I can tell you that my kids (15 and 19) have never opened either the dictionary or the thesaurus I gave them, for them it's all online. Sad, really!
Related Discussions
Do you still use a printed dictionary?
Q
Comments (23)
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.
...See More
What do you think of 'books as decoration'?
Q
Comments (89)
what are the books that empower you ? for me, books are entertainment, novels and biographies are just that, imo. Unless it's a biography of someone who has accomplished something special that might inspire me. watching a tv show about someone inspiring, as empowering to me as reading about it. most useful book I've ever read : the Four Agreements, I still refer to it. Simple and basic. Out of all the self help, motivational books I've read, it's the only one that says it all within the confines of a very small book. I've read hundreds of novels, yet I wouldn't want to line my shelves with them or want to be judged on who I am because of them. They mean nothing to me but the fleeting escape I got from immersing myself in them. I do buy books as souvenirs/mementos, I am not a knick knack person at all. Frank Loyd Wright when I stayed at the Biltmore hotel, JP Gaultier book when I saw and loved his exhibit at the museum recently, San Fran Homes book when I did a tour of famous homes in that city, book on Tuscan Homes right after my first stay in Tuscany. Books are easy to stash in a suitcase, do not need to be bubble wrapped. oakley, your book nook is a genius idea, very original.
...See More
Books with which to (re)start a civilization
Q
Comments (46)
Chris, perhaps I'm getting too laid-back in old age, and laudable as the aims of your 'civilisation' are I don't think I have the energy (or brainpower) "to strive, to seek . . ." etc. It does seem a pity that conflict is the inevitable outcome of a new improved way of life. I don't suppose you will want to join me on my small but friendly Pacific Island . . . and for you all from the US who may be rather bothered by the idea of 'collective ownership' and obviously set great store on keeping thieving hands off your own property, I only had in mind sharing the frisbee and the tarp (against those tsunamis). Luckily my own toothbrush was in some deep pocket at the time of the End-of-the-World-as-we-Know-it. There are limits to sharing . . . although I would welcome Carolyn and her soap; eating all that pork makes the mitts a tad greasy. And Dyno, I'm sure there must be a role for lawyers . . .what did the 'ancient' members of your profession do when it first came into being? I expect you are familiar with the strange 'John Frum' worship movement in the South Seas. Here is a link that might be useful: John Frum
...See More
Book quest - readers?
Q
Comments (98)
KSWL, I bought the book yesterday and finished it today. While I don't think I would read another of the author's books, I have to say the story of "Still Alice" was compelling, and while some of the writing was decidedly amateurish it is not awful. I think, though, that the main draw is that the subject of the book and the protagonist is something a lot of readers will identify with. As for the movie, I won't be seeing that for a few weeks, but the NY'er and NYTimes reviews also said the film sort of flinched rather than being as authentic as it could be. Funny aside, I learned the word "anomia' reading the (2009) book today. It means when you cannot find a word. I recently taught my kids the word "aphasia" and now they tease me that I have aphasia all the time. Anyway, i learned the related word "anomia", and mentioned it to DH over lunch. Then at 5:17pm my DD1 gets her "word of the day" email from Dictionary.com. And the word is ... anomia! Bizarre.
...See More
woodnymph2_gw
11 years ago
I still use my old Websters, and love it.
rosefolly
11 years ago
I recommend a thesaurus that is organized by meaning rather than one that is presented in dictionary form. Yes, the dictionary kind has no learning curve, but the kind that is organized by meaning has so much richer a value.

Roget's comes in both forms.
kathy_t
11 years ago
A friend gave me the Microsoft Encarta Dictionary as a gift a few years ago. Although he chose it for it's slightly larger print, it has a distinctly modern bent with less erudite language and current celebrities among its definitions. I like it a lot and keep it next to my reading chair. I frequently get distracted by entries and pictures (very good pictures) that lie nearby the word I was looking up. That sort of browsing is the main thing I miss in an online dictionary, by the way.
yoyobon_gw
11 years ago
Thanks , Roget, for your handy Thesaurus,
Mundane words most certainly bore us.
By perusing your book,
Our words make us look
Erudite and then friends shall deplore us !

......by Yvonne
kathy_t
11 years ago
Yvonne - Thanks for smile! (My mouse started searching for the "Like" button.)

Related Stories

BOOKS Can Tidying Up Result in Life-Changing Magic?

By Mary Jo Bowling

Organizing phenom Marie Kondo promises big results — if you embrace enormous changes and tough choices

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: A London Book Tower House Worth a Browse

By Natalie Wain

To fit their mountain of books, these owners went big on scale with a double-height bookcase by the stairs

DECORATING GUIDES Novel Ways With Bedroom Books

By Matthew Ankeny

Reading and relaxing go hand in hand. See how designers are incorporating mini and all-out libraries in the bedroom

DENS AND LIBRARIES How to Care for Your Home Library

By Laura Gaskill

Increase your enjoyment of books with these ideas for storing, stacking and displaying them

EXTERIORS 8 Homes With Exterior Paint Colors Done Right

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Get ideas for an exterior palette from these homes that run the gamut from Mediterranean to modern

MOST POPULAR Three Magic Words for a Clean Home and a Better Life

By Alison Hodgson

Not a natural tidying and organizing whiz? Take hope in one short phrase that can change your life forever

KITCHEN CABINETS Cabinets 101: How to Choose Construction, Materials and Style

By Matt Clawson

Do you want custom, semicustom or stock cabinets? Frameless or framed construction? We review the options

KITCHEN DESIGN Ecofriendly Kitchen: 9 Healthy Lifestyle Habits

By Ivon Street Studio

Good for your body often means good for the planet. These kitchen ideas can help make your cooking and eating routines better for both

FURNITURE Must-Know Furniture: Bergères and Fauteuils

By Karen Egly-Thompson

These two classic French chairs are frequently misidentified. Big on comfort and easy on the eye, they are worth learning about

ART Barn Quilts Piece Together a Community

By Mary Jo Bowling

One man with one beautiful idea transforms Wisconsin’s Shawano County

Sponsored

17 Reviews

The Leading Interior Design Studio in Franklin County

More Discussions

The first sentence of the book you're reading.........

17

Hugo awards 2026

7

July – time for summer reading!

90

The game continues in July

106

Rayma's story - warning it's long

3