"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Monday, April 18, 2011

Oxford English Dictionary

A writer uses many tools: pencil, pen, paper, computer, an imagination and a good dictionary and thesaurus.


The Oxford English Dictionary is an unabridged dictionary based on historical principles and answers questions about English spelling, grammar, usage and origin. The OED is also a record of the English language and provides timelines of when words entered the English language. It is considered the longest and most complete official dictionary.
There is also an OED Thesaurus. This companion provides aid choosing the correct word and meaning based on currency and style, synonyms, metaphors, and organized information on the history of the words.
On Amazon you can purchase an unabridged 20 volume set of the OED for more than $1200 and a two volume set of the OED thesaurus for $500.
However, you can also find a free online version of both: http://oxforddictionaries.com/
The use of words is the most important skill a writer can have. Therefore, you must have access to one of the best “word” resources. Good luck and happy writing!

55 comments:

Linda H. said...

Thanks for the link, Sylvia.

Melissa Sarno said...

Thanks for sharing this resource! I am ashamed to say that I'm a writer and I rarely use dictionaries or a thesaurus. (blushes)

Unknown said...

Absolutely, my father always encouraged me in this way when still at school, too. When I first began at college, that set of dictionaries was one of his gifts.

shelly said...

Thank you much for the link.

Luana Krause said...

I used them quite often in book form, but since the Internet took over the world, I use the online versions. However, I have a big, beautiful dictionary that I can't part with. It has color illustrations scattered here and there and all kind of research aids. I'm keeping it as a relic for future generations.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the link. The OED is a vital tool for writers and anyone who plays "Call My Bluff".

Jeff Beesler said...

Very true. Without such tools at our disposal, including the internet now, writers would not be nearly so successful. What a great subject matter for the letter of O!

Nofretiri said...

Well, I have a small Oxford edtion, which is pretty enough for me ... first of all I prefer writing in German. Then I have to admit, I DO have the German equivalent, wich is the Duden. But no matter in which language I write, I'm happy to have the possibility to search online! :-)

Karin @ Nofretiris Dream Of Writing

Allison said...

I usually use the computer dictionary for a quick look-up at work, but I LOVE thumbing through an actual bound dictionary!

- allison writes

the writing pad said...

I always go to the OED for most trusted info. Thanks for the link to the online version (sometimes it's just easier to stay sitting at the computer!)
All best, Karla

Anonymous said...

No don't tell them about the online version encourage them to get the proper book versions! :O)

Anonymous said...

I'm not a writer but the dictionary is the book I use most from our library, I'm forever having to dash away from the computer to look up something. Being Australian I use "The Macquarie", but I like to look up words in various dictionaries for the slightly different shades of meaning they can give.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this information...My dictionary is permanantly attached to my elbow so this will be a great help.
thank you for dropping in on thefeatherednest

Christa Desir said...

Oh the OED.... Lovely and so helpful. Reminds me of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Now here's a topic that never would have come to mind.
I love my dictionary.

Plain Jane said...

I have always been an avid reader, but would just guess at the meaning of words instead of looking them up. Then I met my husband who carried a dictionary around with him where ever he went and I discovered that I was WRONG on more than one definition. Oops.
PS. thanks for visiting my blog...Isn't this A to Z thing fun!?!

Jolene Perry said...

I LOVE that this stuff is all online now. I pop on and offline the whole time I'm writing to use the tools there.

Unknown said...

Great post! Dictionaries are my best friend.

Petra said...

Free version is my kind of version. Thanks for the resource!

Cindy said...

Did I just read that right? 20 volume dictionary set?

Sylvia Ney said...

Cindy - yes, 20 volumes. There is A LOT of information on each word!

Jenny said...

I'm a word nerd. My children consider me their own personal (walking) thesaurus. Love OED! And isn't thesaurus just a fun word in itself?? :) Returning your visit from the A-Z challenge. Love your blog, and thanks for the nice compliments on mine! Happy Easter! :)

lauriehere.com said...

Hi Sylvia!
I could NOT live without a dictionary and a thesaurus! I would be LOST in this world! To bad that link no longer works! I'm reading this a year later, though!
I'm from the 2012 A to Z!
Thanks for the article!
Laurie Carlson
laurieisreading (AT) gmail (DOT)com

Unknown said...

This kind of reference is really useful especially on research based activities that you wanted to have a guaranteed answer. It's also wonderful to have a good skills in writing that you can achieve in writing essays company australia.

paulsmith198914@gmail.com said...

You are absolutely right! The use of words is the most important skill a professional writer can have. If you are unfamiliar with the whole writing process overall, simply use any paper writing services online in order to succeed. They use proper synonyms and metaphors.

Emma Quillen said...

It is easy to get Good info in the shape of picture, videos and books.

anonymous said...

Thank for sharing great information. Oxford Dictionary is very helpful for those student who are want to make a professional skill. I also used Oxford Dictionary and i will share with friends who are searching about it and top mba universities is very helpful for MBA student.

Joseph Ferguson said...

In any school scholarship essay, the main points are going to be up to you. however you'll be able to improve your decisions in writing by knowing to whom you write and what their functions square measure for the scholarship. homepage

Thomas Venney said...

Thanks for sharing.

Thomas Venney said...

If-not volunteer function, you have your GPA, You researched your GMAT and passed on, and now it is the right time to ship those out Software. With these programs, however, comes the Concept of displaying off Your abilities through the MBA announcement of purpose essay part of your own application. personal goal statement is one ot the top statement writing option.

Unknown said...

FIFAPOKER
Main dan Wd sepuasnya hanya di FIFAPOKER agen poker online

Unknown said...

www ayam laga com

BlasTer said...


Thanks it is working enough,, Vodafone Caller Tunes

BlasTer said...

Vodafone Caller Tunes
Vodafone Caller Tunes
Vodafone Caller Tunes

BlasTer said...

Birthday Wishes for Wife
Jio Caller Tunes
Jio Caller Tunes
Jio Caller Tunes
Jio Caller Tunes

BlasTer said...



TechkyUniverse
WhollyTricks
TechTroth
TechMania
HappyWishesDays



Nana Persada said...


HOT NEWS >> AYAM KWIK KWIK KWIK !!



Unknown said...

cara download di hp sabuk ayam judi online

Unknown said...

KuchJano
DukaanMaster
Alia Bhatt Navel Pics
Kareena Kapoor Navel Pics
Priyanka Kapoor Navel Pics
Anushka Sharma Navel Pics
Download GBInstagram APK For Android
Download GBWhatsApp APK For Android
Best Dell Laptop Under 35000
Best Laptop Under 45000 For Gaming

Sahib Khan said...

Rorek.com
VidakForcongress.com
SquareoneSolutions.com
ChildrensFoodCampaign.com
Lephone W7 Firmware Download
Voto V2 Firmware Flash File Download

Sahib Khan said...


list
bestphones
bestearphones
toplist
productsmarket
bestlaptoplistcode
getlists
awesomelaptop
headphonesjob
headphonesjack

Sahib Khan said...


GBWhatsApp Apk Download
GBInstagram Apk Download
Best Laptops List
Best Phones List
Best WashingMachines List
Best AC List
Best LED TV List In India
Best Mobile List
List Of Best Laptops Under 40000
List Of Best Phones Under 15000

artikel judi online said...

dewapoker
dewa poker
link alternatif dewapoker
alternatif dewapoker

dewisari said...

Telah hadir di bolavita deposit via pulsa telkomsel dan XL Pulsa rate termurah
dan banyak bonus2 mendarik lain nya min depo 25 rbu bisa jadi jutawan
ayo segera daftar dan buktikan sendiri

info lbh lanjut:
WA: +62812-2222-995

Jenifer said...

assignment help uk take the responsibility to provide the best assignment to each student.. We have the best assignment writing team with us in our organization and they have immense involvement with this field. online assignment help is a platform for the students where students get solved their Assignments/Studies.

Assignment help said...


My Assignment Help offers affordable and reliable assignment help to students across Australia. We will provide proper guidance related to the assignment and facility among the students. We provide 100% plagiarism free work and the task will be completed within the time limit.

Source Essay said...

Looking for cheap essay writing help Germany ? SourceEssay offers students with cheap Online Essay Writer . We give customized essay help to students where students don’t need to pay any extra charges for their assignments.

Online assignment help Germany
essay writing help Germany
Dissertation
Essay Typer
How Many Pages Is 1000 Words?
Essay Typer
case study
case study
Essay Deutsch
case study
online essay help
Online Essay Writer
Online Assignment Writer
Instant Assignment Writer
Assignment Writer
Online Assignment Help Germany

Sahib Khan said...

amazon black friday sales 2020
gtx 1070 black friday
core i7 7700k black friday
black friday 1080 ti
motherboard black friday

amazon black friday sales 2020
gtx 1070 black friday
core i7 7700k black friday
black friday 1080 ti
motherboard black friday

Jenifer said...

The specialists giving assignment composing administrations have supported great many students to score more than their kindred schoolmates. Our assignment composing master has accomplished a 95% consumer loyalty rate, additionally, a larger part of our clientèle turns towards us at whatever point they need an assignment composing help on the web. Our group of 2000+ assignment writers use power research with a wide scope of solid assets for 100 + subjects - from K-12 level to Ph.D. Level in Australia, US, UK, and UAE. Connect with the group at ABC Assignment Help today and defeat your difficulties with assignment composing undertakings. visit - assignment provider , assignment help melbourne

abc assignment help said...

You are sharing delightful post. It is effortless and easy to understand for me. Thanks for sharing the post. Moreover, our team provide my R assignment help for all Australian students studying in different universities.

Sahib Khan said...

contact us for free
visit here
click there
website
click here

visit now
online
blog
dhook
source

Sarah Winget said...

We are offering Environmental Engineering assignment help to the students seeking after Environmental designing across US, UK, Canada and different spots across the globe. Simultaneously, we guarantee them to acquire amazing evaluations with the unrivaled quality writing support offered by our in-house writers. Our capable Environmental designing project help writers will make the academic papers in any event, for the most confounded points identified with Environmental designing. assignment provider
assignment help melbourne

Unknown said...

Laziness. Students can be just lazy to do their research. They are youthful and delight in pleasurable and get-togethers. There is not a solution for many of them crafting their assignments at property is boring. If this is about you, https://paysomeonetowritemypaper.net/buy-report-writing there is nonetheless a good likelihood to get a excellent quality. Question a qualified helper to do your homework for money.

nilchavan said...

Searching for the best entrepreneur quotes for inspiration? Here you can get the best inspiration quotes. motivational quotes for men

georgefernandis said...

Get the best inspirational quotes, motivational quotes, love, attitude, whatsapp, facebook quotes in hindi. Not getting the best motivational quotes, good morning quotes, good night quotes? This is the place where you can get the best quotes in hindi. motivational quotes in hindi