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A dictionary is, or should be, more than just a collection of words and their meanings. When you look up a word in a dictionary, whilst reading a book, do you really need a huge book with every possible explanation of every word? I don’t think so. What you need is quick access to the word you are looking for. In other words, you need a user-friendly dictionary.

The latest Macmillan publication definitely fits into this category of easy-to-use dictionaries. How is it done? First of all by giving learners not only a range of typically lexicographical information (for example, ‘black – the darkest colour’), but also providing additional information concerning the usage of that word. Because of this you know whether a word is often used, or if you are likely to run into it once in a blue moon. Apart from that, the dictionary gives its readers, where possible, cultural backgrounds and puts a word into context. This is very important for someone who is learning a new language. Speaking about ‘black’, you get – just for an example to show you how context is important – a suggestion how to use the word with reference to people of African origin.

Apart form word entries, the dictionary explains some concepts by means of pictures. My favourite are those describing actions – they are more like funny cartoons than the pictures you usually find in dictionaries. These kinds of descriptions can help users remember meanings.

Is it the end of the benefits of the Macmillan dictionary? Not at all – it’s just the beginning. Probably the biggest innovation is the attached CD-ROM, which contains the full version of the dictionary, plus something more: you can actually hear each entry in the dictionary. Moreover, you may choose between the British and American version of the same word! This is very useful not only for comparisons, but also for a greater understanding of the word.

The pronunciation module also works the other way round. Imagine you hear a word, but you have no idea what it means. Now you can choose the sounds you hear from the pronunciation table and the dictionary will tell you the word you’ve been looking for, naturally with its meaning. Clever, isn’t it?

This is an edited version of the review first published on www.anglorama.com.pl/konkurs/med.html.