dictionaries

I'm going to buy a dictionary this week. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm interested in suggestions from Americans, even though I won't be buying your dictionaries. Color?

Macmillian Visual Dictionary. It RULES!!!! Plus, you can get a bi-lingual edition...

I got your diction right here.

(Right here means in my pants)

www.dictionary.com

I need a dictionary and a set of encyclopedias

www.webster.com

edited to say, it also has a thesaurus. ohhhhhhhhh

[Edited on Jul 26, 2004 by Jezibelle]

The OED, of course.

that's my favorite.

Webster's 10th edition is the dictionary that most publishing houses use.
The Chicago Manual for grammar.


edited for spelling

edited for grammar

[Edited on Jul 26, 2004 by beedlebaum]

[Edited on Jul 26, 2004 by beedlebaum]

m-w.com -- Merriam-Webster Online: it's all you'll ever need. no need to go out and buy a hard copy... unless you want colorful pictures! i've got myself a dorling kindersley (aka DK) ultimate(!) visual dictionary. it's neato and stuff.

OED is the dictionary

Online http://www.dict.org/ reigns supreme.

Keep in mind that while the OED is THE dictionary, it contains somewhere around 32-40 LARGE voluminous books and is quite expensive. It contains every word ever uttered in the English langage, along with where it has been used. This includes "dead" words. I could read the volumes for hours, but I'm a dork.

I access it online through my university, but I believe non-students have to pay for access. Go to http://www.oed.com

I've always been happy with my American Heritage Dictionary. If you aren't into American stuff, go with Merriam-Webster's.

You English speaking folks can have your English dictionaries
I'll stick to AMERICAN dictionaries.

But seriously, I have a small American Heritage, it's usually ok

OED is the master. I bow to it.

The abridged version, however, contains words that are mostly current, and comes in two volumes. This is what most people I know who own the OED actually buy.

I like the American Heritage Dictionary.....I just realized mine's like 10 years old, I should probably think about getting a new one......

Oh... I didn't know that. I NEED THAT.

I like the one that has lots of pictures in it. I think its for kids or something

WEBSTERS all the way...but no desk should be without this classic satire:

I prefer Onelook.

No one even mentioned Chambers, the official book for scrabble (in the UK)

Still, I'm glad for all the suggestions.