Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Laminated Cover) (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Laminated))

I also own the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, thinking that if I went high-brow it would make me a better person. The OED is actually a pretty good dictionary (unlike the awful Webster's), but it comes in two, large volumes which makes it impractical as an easy reference when reading on the couch; plus, I haven't run across any definition that I needed that was done better for the purpose of quick understanding than Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary does it. (I spent some time looking in both, believe it or not).

In addition, the computer software that comes with the 11th edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary is really good; very helpful when using Word ... highlight a word and right-click to bring up the definition.


Excellent on Mac OS X and what value!   September 7, 2005
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

Not only do you get a terrific print dictionary, but you get a terrific CD which installs flawlessly unto your Mac or PC, and the software really does support OS X, as well as Windows. The interface is great looking, and has a lot of useful features after you figure it out. The help is excellent. The CD contains the "back of the book material" from the dictionary also, such as the manual of style, and the biographical names. A nice touch. Much better than the CD that came with the Concise Oxford Dictionary which only had Windows install anyway. I have both now, and am so glad I also have the print editions!

Merriam-Webster also has several features I was surprised at, like "words that rhyme" with, and colored and B&W illustrations, audio pronunciation, "words that END with..." which is a terrific idea, and much more. The price here at AMAZON for the dictionary with CD is just a few dollars more than the price for the CD alone, and you also get a free year of the dictionary online with many features online. My goodness, who wouldn't want this right now!


The New Standard for American Dictionaries   June 16, 2004
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

This edition of the M-W's Collegiate Dictionary sets a completely new high standard for American dictionaries and in fact -- for any reference book anywhere. This dictionary is everything that a good reference book should be -- self-contained, complete, easy-to-use, extremely well printed, and perfectly consistent. The abbreviations are not overused, the definitions are clear and exhaustive. Inflected forms and alternate spellings are easy to locate and identify. The usage and synonyms notes are of an enormous value for anyone who reads or writes English, and for me it clarified many meanings and different usages (i am not a native English speaker). Another great thing is that the editors treated the etimologies with due respect, so even though this dictionary is supposed to be "abridged", it is very complete. And the quality of printing is so wonderful, that i enjoy reading this dictionary just for fun.

Although it is called "Collegiate" it is useful to any person of any age and background, not just for college students. Needless to say, it never disappoints when i'm looking for words.

To put it short -- i don't have enough words of praise for this book.


Find the Words You Need   September 18, 2003
 14 out of 21 found this review helpful

The eleventh edition of the Collegiate Dictionary merges print, CD-ROM and internet formats into a single package.

The new format provides definitions to more than 10,000 new words and sense from many fields of knowledge. There are 165,000 entries and 225,000 definitions in an accessible and flexible desktop package.

There are more than 40,000 usage examples, coverage of 7,500 phrases and idioms and more than 700 illustrations. It offers word guidance by providing synonym paragraphs that differentiate between shades of meaning. Best of all, the eleventh edition comes with a free one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster's premium web site.

Everyone who works with words needs a great dictionary. This package is hard to beat.


A hard-working dictionary that you'll use everyday   January 1, 2006
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

If you're like me and you have need for a dictionary on an almost daily basis then you probably want one that you can rely on. This text fits the bill and then some. My preference for M-W dictionaries is in the way they present words according to documented and common modern usage. Unlike some other dictionaries that try to dictate the meaning and use of words this dictionary allows for a bit of the current fashion to enter into the picture. This isn't to say that every new bit of jargon or slang is offered, but rather that if documented instances of a word can be found then it is included along with a meaningful definition. That makes this a true everyday dictionary that you know you can count on.

The enclosed CD-ROM is also useful if you want to have the entire dictionary installed on your computer. It's easy to install and isn't a big resource hog. So you can leave it running all the time if you want.

Perhaps my only complaint with this edition lies with the thumb index cutouts on the page edges. For whatever reason the letters shown don't match up with the section of the book you get. So when you put your finger in and flip to the 'S' section you don't quite get to the start of the 'S' words. :) It's annoying, but not a show stopper.

Grab a copy of this dictionary and you'll no doubt find yourself turning to it day after day. My copy is never more than an arm's length away.