Funk & Wagnells Standard Dictionary offers more information than any other paperback dictionary available: Over 75,000 entriesAuthoriative etymologiesNew entries such as AIDS, African American, fax, fungible, gridlock, and many moreClear and concise definitionsPreferred U.S. spellings of every entryNew foolproof, at-a-glance pronunciation systemSample phrases and sentences provide guidance for correct usage
This little, beat-up dictionary has been sat on my desk for over 20 years, waiting to be picked up when I can't remember how to spell a word. I bought it when I was in college and its usefulness has stood the test of time. It's not the most comprehensive of dictionaries, but it does the job.