How to choose a School Dictionary

Here are some essential questions that you should ask yourself when choosing a school dictionary:

How new is the dictionary?

This is important for new words and up-to-date information. Check when the dictionary was first published and remember: a ‘new dictionary’ is different from a ‘new edition’.

Does it highlight curriculum vocabulary?

This helps you identify whether a word belongs to a specialised subject.

How many words?

The more words there are in a dictionary, the more likely you are to find the word you are looking for.

Is it based on a corpus?

If the dictionary developers have analysed a corpus, it means that they have built up a detailed picture of the terms and concepts that are vital for the study of the main school subjects. It helps them to ensure that the definitions are always relevant and easy to follow.

Does it have example sentences?

These show you how and when a word is actually used.

Does it have usage notes?

These help users develop their vocabulary and avoid common errors in English.

Does it have a Study Skills section?

These include specially written articles to develop your skills in essay-writing, interpreting data, reporting experiments, and writing clear, grammatical English.

Does it look clear and simple?

Your dictionary should have attractive pages that are easy to read and understand.

Does it have illustrations?

These are useful for explaining complex topics at a glance – from flora and fauna to natural or scientific processes.

Is it easy to use?

Look out for any special features which help you to find the word or to understand the meaning.