Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus in Dictionary Form

by Barbara Ann Kipfer

Book by

Genres: Reference, Writing, Language, Dictionaries, Nonfiction

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer (born in 1954) is a lexicographer,as well as an archaeologist. She has written more than 60 books, including 14,000 Things to be Happy About (Workman), which has more than a million copies in print and has given rise to many Page-a-Day calendars. The 25th anniversary edition of the book was published in October 2014. She is the editor of Roget's International Thesaurus.

Kipfer is Chief Lexicographer of the company Temnos. She has worked for such companies as Google, Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com, Answers.com, Ask Jeeves, Bellcore/Telcordia, Federated Media Publishing, General Electric Research, IBM Research, idealab, Knowledge Adventure, Textdigger, The Chicago Tribune, and WolframAlpha. Barbara holds a PhD and MPhil in Linguistics (University of Exeter), a PhD in Archaeology (Greenwich University), an MA and a PhD in Buddhist Studies (Akamai University), and a BS in Physical Education (Valparaiso University).

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

EXPERIENCED WRITERS SHOULD AVOID THESE "VERSIONS"...

"Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus" (subtitle: "in dictionary form")

"Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus in Dictionary Form"

It's telling that Amazon (@2023FEB) offers no "look inside" teaser for this pretender. Most likely this hides the inherent inadequacy of the dictionary form.

"New American Roget's College Thesaurus in Dictionary Form"

This DOES have a look-inside feature - and it confirms my fear - that the concept-based organization (used in the various International versions) is destroyed. Grouping by concept offers a rich set of alternate ideas that can cause the writer to abandon "the word" and use other ideas to enrich the narrative.

I found this, which states the contrast very well:

Roget's original organization is so much richer. Roget's format (non-dictionary) provides 50-times more synonyms and surrounds entries with pages of context. Dictionary format only provides several synonyms - period - no context, only a very limited and flat view.

TO BE "FAIR"

It seems likely that there is a "market" for the dictionary form thesarus. IF one is not a reader, with the attendant consequence for one's writing, this type may well fill the bill.

Others should FIRST try the full-strength versions. When I encountered Roget's International Thesaurus, 4th Edition , it was immediately plain that THIS, concept-ordered thesaurus is the superior one to acheive nuance and to refine style.

EDITION FIVE

Many copies are available for six dollars - go get one!

[Chris Scherer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kipfer, B.A. (2005). Roget's 21st century thesaurus in dictionary form. New York, NY: Dell.

Citation by:Chris Scherer

Type of Reference: Thesaurus

Call Number: Ref 423

Content/Scope: It contains over 500,000 synonyms and antonyms leading to over 1 million word choices. It also includes recently coined and common slang terms. This thesaurus would be helpful to high school students and higher in the writing process, so they can vary their vocabulary.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Roget's is considered to be on par with the ever popular Webster's when it comes to dictionary type references. There is no bias in the definitions of the words.

Arrangement/Presentation: It is arranged in alphabetical order, with the definition of the word followed by synonyms and antonyms.

Relation to other works: It has the added feature of definitions and multiple synonyms and antonyms. It seems to be more comprehensive than most thesauri.

Accessibility/Diversity: The book is easy to use if you know your alphabet and how to spell the word. It should be used by older students and adults.

Cost:$5.99

Professional review:
Kipfer, B.A. (2005). Roget's 21st century thesaurus in dictionary form. New York, NY: Dell.

[Allanx · Rating 5 out of 5]

For when you already know all the words, but occasionally need a little help recalling the exact one you want. This is probably the best thesaurus ever devised. It features state-of-the-art (and unusual) cross referencing and categorization.

It's been one of the sharpest knives in my drawer for over a decade, my most-used reference, and it's just perfect.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a thesaurus, so there's not much that can be said about it as a review. [return]The layout is acceptable and considering I'm most likely using it to verify my own knowledge, I can't really call it out on any errors.

[Saleris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Along with my old Funk & Wagnall's Standard Dictionary, this sits on my desk, and I love the cross-referencing facilities it has. It has helped me out in a jam writing everything from science and sociology papers to letters, poetry and prose. I love it.

[Mary Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two at school, one in my purse, and three at home. Nuf said.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this on my eighth grade graduation and still use it. Cool Concept Index.

[Foxthyme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always referencing this book. I don't know why, but I adore this little thesaurus. The way it feels in the hand. The way it always gives me the words I'm looking for.

[Amy]

Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus: Updated & Expanded 2nd Edition (21st Century Reference) by Barbara Ann Kipfer (1999)

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

among the required texts for any writer