The dictionaries you use

[Carmilla]

Hello everyone!

Here you may list the dictionaries you use when you read (and thesauri as well :) )

Mine are:
Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (2 volumes)
Oxford Illustrated Dictionary
Oxford Thesaurus of English
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

[Sancho]

I really like the Oxford English Dictionary of American English. Also the old standby for me is Websters Collegiate dictionary.

But nowadays when reading e-books, if I come across a word I don't know I just click on it and I get a pop-up link to some sort of dictionary, which is fine for a quickey definition but not much good for etymology.

[YesNo]

I put the word into the Chrome browser and get a page with various links about the word. Then I explore from there. The entire internet is my dictionary.

[Eiseabhal]

Dwelly Chambers. Some others.

[UlyssesE]

I put the word into the Chrome browser and get a page with various links about the word. Then I explore from there. The entire internet is my dictionary.

Same for me. Thank god for the miracle of modern amenities :)

[Dreamwoven]

Norstedts Stora Svensk-Engelsk Ordbok.
Norstedts Stora Engelsk-Svensk Ordbok.
Chambers Thesaurus.

[JBI]

I literally have 50 different Chinese dictionaries on my shelf (each classic and major author has their own specific dictionary, plus several large comprehensive ones). As for English, the OED on CD is the one I use most, but also Modern English Usage, Practical English Usage and Modern American Usage are consulted quite frequently. I have a copy of the Dr. Samuel Johnson dictionary somewhere as well. I also have 4 or 5 French dictionaries, and 3-4 Italian ones. 3 Hebrew dictionaries, and a 2 Japanese ones.

[Dreamwoven]

A real multi-linguist. The 50 Chinese dictionaries are interesting.

[Carmilla]

I literally have 50 different Chinese dictionaries on my shelf (each classic and major author has their own specific dictionary, plus several large comprehensive ones). As for English, the OED on CD is the one I use most, but also Modern English Usage, Practical English Usage and Modern American Usage are consulted quite frequently. I have a copy of the Dr. Samuel Johnson dictionary somewhere as well. I also have 4 or 5 French dictionaries, and 3-4 Italian ones. 3 Hebrew dictionaries, and a 2 Japanese ones.

Hello!

50 Chinese dictionaries!! WOW!! I'm impressed! Now that you mention other languages than English I must add:

A Portuguese-Spanish dictionary
An Oxford English-Spanish Dictionary
A Latin-Spanish dictionary
and a French-Spanish dictionary.

[JBI]

When you do specialist research on ancient manuscripts you acquire dictionaries very, very quickly. The only reason I don't have more is because most are published digitally now.

[Dreamwoven]

I don't suppose you know Hungarian? Magyarul?

[Dreamwoven]

It is rather obscure.

[Methinks]

I have a physcial Merriam-Webster dictionary. Don't often need it. I know most of the words used commonly and uncommonly in the English language, and those I don't usually can be intuited through context.

[Emil Miller]

An interesting question. I have various dictionaries, principally English but I also have a hefty Schöffler-Weis compact German/English dictionary. The Concise Oxford French dictionary, a pocket Italian and Spanish dictionary as well as the Oxford University Press Basic Japanese-English dictionary and a pocket Webster's Japanese/English dictionary which I bought when I started learning Japanese before personal problems forced me to abandon further study.
Another addition is Harrap's French-English slang which is probably the only one that the computer hasn't made completley redundant.

[Vota]

I have the abbreviated OED dictionary in two large volume, but I might look into picking up the complete in digital format.

[Dreamwoven]

What do you know about the OED online version, Vota? I see that it includes a Thesaurus, which I use quite a lot.

[PeachSodaLover]

M-W. Good dictionary.

[Eiseabhal]

I use several dictionaries but they are all less useful than my saws and other tools. There are people on this site with an idolatrous love of dictionaries.

[bounty]

I've got a paperback oxford American dictionary that sits right next to the computer and it gets well used...

[New Secret]

While writing I can get addicted to word reference books. I generally prefer the Oxford dictionary to American dictionaries as Oxford dictionaries are usually less abridged and reduced with fuller definitions. When I use a thesaurus I usually go with whatever is on hand and I prefer to use several thesaurus as writing helpers. In fact, I prefer a thesaurus while writing to using a dictionary as you can easily find equivalent words quicker when you need them. In a thesaurus it really doesn't matter whether or not it is American or English. Roget's, Webster's, Oxford and all their variations in print are fine.

[fajfall]

I absolutely love The Concise Oxford Dictionary. It's a misnomer because it's two very thick volumes comprising thousands upon thousands of pages, making it too cumbersome for regular use and more a way to wile away the time. It's been years since I used it because I never owned it: I'd visit the State Library and spend hours with it, but no longer have the time. If I ever live in a house some distant day from now I'll buy it.

I was given a free Readers Digest dictionary printed in the 1970's, quite short, which I nearly finished reading from cover to cover. It was quite good as are really all dictionaries.

Now I just google 'define:x' and get an instant definition which serves most purposes fine. If I want a better definition I lookup thefreedictionary online which uses several sources and quotes.

[Dreamwoven]

I use a thesaurus a lot (especially when working on crosswords) an English-Swedish dictionary and an English-Hungarian dictionary.

[Diggory Venn]

I swear by The Concise Oxford Dictionary, mine being a well-worn Seventh-edition published in 1984. I was sixteen when I was given it as a present and have used it ever since..

[justinvirk]

can any one tell me is digital dictionary is better than that of hard copy dictionary...I used oxford online dictionery now in my cell so it is better or not....it is help me any where on my site....:cheers2: