Fluent speaker dictionaries:

• good for users whose first language is English

• more entries than learners' or bilingual dictionaries

• easier to find the less common words

• more information on the origin of words

Learners' dictionaries:

• designed for users whose second language is English

• more examples of the word in use

• easier to understand the meanings of words because of a small defining vocabulary

• better for explaining how and when words are used

Bilingual dictionaries:

• good for rapid or easy answers

• good for immediate translations

• better for translations of technical words and
  objects such as animals, fruit or vegetables

Should I buy a monolingual or a
bilingual dictionary?

• bilingual dictionaries are good for immediate one-to-one translations, but they have fewer examples of the word used in context

• monolingual dictionaries are better at explaining how words are used, can be used in examinations and are recommended by English teachers!

2 What size of dictionary?

How are you going to use the dictionary?

• Bookshelf dictionary – best for number of words

• Desk dictionary – best for using English at home
  and at work

• Portable dictionary – best for more detail on
  fewer words

• Pocket dictionary – best for travelling and quick
  reference

Best size?

Try to buy the size between a
bookshelf dictionary and a portable dictionary
so that it becomes your dictionary for life!

3 What level of dictionary?

• Fluent level: 200,000 – 400,000 words; a bookshelf dictionary

• Advanced level: 60,000 – 100,000 words; a desk dictionary for using English in your studies

• Intermediate level: 30,000 – 40,000 words; easier to carry

• Elementary level: 1,500 – 2,500 words; many photographs and illustrations

Best level?

Try to buy a dictionary above your level of English so that it becomes a dictionary you can grow into!

Questions you should ask yourself:

• How new is the dictionary?
  This is important for new words and up-to-date information. Check when the dictionary was first published – remember that a new dictionary is different from a new edition.

• How many words?
  The more words there are, the more likely you are to find the word you are looking for.

• Does it have a complete CD-ROM?
  This provides excellent pronunciation practice if you have a computer at home or work.

• British or American English?
  Make sure it covers the main varieties of English spoken around the world, especially British and American English.

• Does it have example sentences?
  These help you to see how and when a word is used.

• Does it have colour illustrations?
  These are useful as a quick reference to objects such as animals or fruit.

• Does it show you the most frequently used words?
  This helps you to choose and use the words most frequently used by fluent speakers.

• Does it teach you word combinations?
  Research shows that it is easier to learn a language when you know which words are frequently used together.

• Can I use it for writing and speaking in English?
  Check whether the dictionary highlights the core vocabulary you need.

• Is it corpus-based?
  This means that examples are taken from a corpus of real spoken and written text and that information can be given on the words most frequently used by fluent speakers.

• Is it easy to use?
  Look out for any special features which help you to find the word or understand the meaning. Look up a word you know well, for example the verb look, and compare the entries in other dictionaries.