Online Dictionary Index

Every person who writes needs to refer to a dictionary or thesaurus from time to time.

I recently did some research into what dictionaries are available online and the results were truly mind-boggling. Using the Google search engine, I entered the term "online dictionary" and it returned over 1,350,000 results!

Of course, the big problem was where to start. What dictionary resource should I use?

It occurred to me that many people would face this same dilemma, so I decided to spend a few hours and do some research to simplify the process for everyone.

Here are my recommendations as the top Free "online dictionary and language resources" on the Web:

• Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition
  Free dictionary and thesaurus look-up including an online audible pronunciation database.



• The Macquarie Dictionary
  First published in 1981, the Macquarie Dictionary calls itself "the record of Australian English".



• Newbury House Online Dictionary
  Online dictionary that contains over 40,000 entries, based on the best selling Newbury House Dictionary of American English.



• Online Dictionary Database
  This online dictionary query service searches multiple online dictionary databases and returns results instantly.



• One-Look Dictionary-Search
  Called the "Faster Finder", it claims to search 700+ online dictionaries simultaneously with a total word count of over 4 million.




Xrefer Search Engine
Xrefer's free site contains encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri & books of quotations from the world's leading publishers. All cross-referenced, all in one place - providing a single information source.



• yourDictionary.com Portal
  Claims to be the most comprehensive and authoritative portal for language and language-related products and services on the Web with more than 1,800 dictionaries for over 250 languages.

I should note that all of the above online dictionary services are free. That would explain why the well-known Oxford Dictionary is not listed here. It is available by paid subscription only.