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New Oxford American Dictionary 3rd Edition
As Oxford's flagship American dictionary, the New Oxford American Dictionary sets the standard of excellence for lexicography in this country. With more than 350,000 words, phrases, and senses, hundreds of explanatory notes, and more than a thousand illustrations, this dictionary provides the most comprehensive and accurate coverage of American English available.
The dictionary draws on the two-billion-word Oxford English Corpus and the unrivaled citation files of the world-renowned Oxford English Dictionary to provide the most accurate and richly descriptive picture of American English ever offered in any dictionary. The Third Edition offers a thoroughly updated text, with revisions throughout and approximately 2,000 new words, phrases, and meanings. Many new words relate to fast-moving areas such as computing, technology, current affairs, and ecology, while others have recently entered the popular lexicon. Usage notes have been updated in light of the most recent Corpus evidence, and a completely new in-text feature on Word Trends charts usage for rapidly changing words and phrases such as carbon, mobile, or tweet . In addition, the volume has an attractive, modern new text design that makes entries easier to read and find.
One of the hallmarks of the New Oxford American Dictionary is the way it reflects the living language. Unlike in more traditional dictionaries, where meanings are ordered chronologically according to the history of the language, each entry plainly shows the principal meaning or meanings of the word, organized by importance in today's English. Thus readers can be confident that the first definition they see is the one most likely to be used by people today, and is not a sense that has been obsolete for two centuries.
Offering clear, authoritative, and precise information, with the in-depth and up-to-date coverage that users need and expect, the New Oxford American Dictionary is the benchmark by which all other American dictionaries are measured.
The dictionary draws on the two-billion-word Oxford English Corpus and the unrivaled citation files of the world-renowned Oxford English Dictionary to provide the most accurate and richly descriptive picture of American English ever offered in any dictionary. The Third Edition offers a thoroughly updated text, with revisions throughout and approximately 2,000 new words, phrases, and meanings. Many new words relate to fast-moving areas such as computing, technology, current affairs, and ecology, while others have recently entered the popular lexicon. Usage notes have been updated in light of the most recent Corpus evidence, and a completely new in-text feature on Word Trends charts usage for rapidly changing words and phrases such as carbon, mobile, or tweet . In addition, the volume has an attractive, modern new text design that makes entries easier to read and find.
One of the hallmarks of the New Oxford American Dictionary is the way it reflects the living language. Unlike in more traditional dictionaries, where meanings are ordered chronologically according to the history of the language, each entry plainly shows the principal meaning or meanings of the word, organized by importance in today's English. Thus readers can be confident that the first definition they see is the one most likely to be used by people today, and is not a sense that has been obsolete for two centuries.
Offering clear, authoritative, and precise information, with the in-depth and up-to-date coverage that users need and expect, the New Oxford American Dictionary is the benchmark by which all other American dictionaries are measured.
2096 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1962
73141 people are currently reading
9745 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
February 26, 2014
The plot really sucked! I couldn't follow it at all. :(
September 3, 2007
I have a confession to make: I love dictionaries. I love to read dictionaries. Each entry is like a mini-story! The implications of a word's history!
Although a bit hefty for casual reading, The New Oxford American Dictionary covers an admirable portion of the English language, complete with numerous slang references (a warning for the purists) and many illustrative icons. Currently my favorite dictionary.
Although a bit hefty for casual reading, The New Oxford American Dictionary covers an admirable portion of the English language, complete with numerous slang references (a warning for the purists) and many illustrative icons. Currently my favorite dictionary.
Currently reading
October 1, 2015Wordy
August 7, 2015
My Kindle uses this dictionary. Very often, I am told the following....
"in·ter·po·la·tor: n. a person who interpolates something."
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS?!?!?
"in·ter·po·la·tor: n. a person who interpolates something."
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS?!?!?
January 26, 2018
Cover to cover page turner. I couldn't put it down.
Fascinating.
I read and reread it almost every day.
Fascinating.
I read and reread it almost every day.
Want to read
January 22, 2012I kinda put this on as a joke, but as I'm nearing the district spelling bee, I'm thinking I actually should read it.
July 6, 2017
It's a dictionary. It is a good reference tool.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2007
it has a definition for "blah," although not for the word "janky."
August 23, 2021
no character development
February 14, 2018
Ending is weak. Especially the X's.
June 11, 2016
How does one read a dictionary? It is in use. A bit wordy. I have not read it front to back.
July 13, 2017
it's the damn dictionary LOL
December 14, 2017
Always a classic you will return to again and again! I return to read favorite passages frequently.
{Added when Kindle opened it}.
{Added when Kindle opened it}.
June 21, 2020
My kid apparently gave the kindle dictionary two stars. My hope for the future is diminished.
Read
August 10, 2021What a thrill!
For all fans of reading, books, or even just words, this is a must read.
When on the search for my next book I was captivated by this tome sitting on one of the bookshelves I rarely look at (the one in the north east corner of the living room, not the large one in the corridor that leads on to the kitchen) and knew from the first glance at its thick and crinkled spine that this would be my next endeavour. And boy do I feel lucky that I did!
Sadly this was an American language book so there were some sections that were obviously not written with an Australian in mind, but I feel this gave me the opportunity to transplant myself in a different culture. Specifically the chapters on color, mom, and cilantro are eye-opening. For all Macquarie Dictionary fans out there (yes I’m talking to you) I would highly recommend this as a great jumping point for getting into foreign language dictionaries. I’m sure this excursion into the exotic pages of an unfamiliar language will prepare me for Collins German Pocket Dictionary (wish me luck!).
Now into some favourite sections:
Jeremiad, noun
A cautionary or angry harangue
Cad, noun
A man who acts with deliberate disregard for another's feelings or rights
Flecking, adjective
1. Of particular similarity to the smell of a foal
2. OR, a speed at which a frightened women runs in high heels
Beautiful, adjective
Generally pleasing : EXCELLENT
Pupplechuck, verb
To applaud the spectacular achievement of a loved one unexpectedly
This book will always have a place in my heart. It came to me at just the right time in my life. I was feeling empty, depressed, and enervated (lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor). This beast fell into my lap and nothings been the same since. I have a new lease on life. I have a reason to read. I have a lens through which to approach new literature.
Some may look down on dictionary readers as emotionally stunted, socially awkward, as missing out on the wonders of fiction, or the actually important facts presented in more general non-fiction. But I proudly stand in front of you (figuratively) and proclaim myself a dictionary reader!
And I invite you, if you will join me, to read words about words.
For all fans of reading, books, or even just words, this is a must read.
When on the search for my next book I was captivated by this tome sitting on one of the bookshelves I rarely look at (the one in the north east corner of the living room, not the large one in the corridor that leads on to the kitchen) and knew from the first glance at its thick and crinkled spine that this would be my next endeavour. And boy do I feel lucky that I did!
Sadly this was an American language book so there were some sections that were obviously not written with an Australian in mind, but I feel this gave me the opportunity to transplant myself in a different culture. Specifically the chapters on color, mom, and cilantro are eye-opening. For all Macquarie Dictionary fans out there (yes I’m talking to you) I would highly recommend this as a great jumping point for getting into foreign language dictionaries. I’m sure this excursion into the exotic pages of an unfamiliar language will prepare me for Collins German Pocket Dictionary (wish me luck!).
Now into some favourite sections:
Jeremiad, noun
A cautionary or angry harangue
Cad, noun
A man who acts with deliberate disregard for another's feelings or rights
Flecking, adjective
1. Of particular similarity to the smell of a foal
2. OR, a speed at which a frightened women runs in high heels
Beautiful, adjective
Generally pleasing : EXCELLENT
Pupplechuck, verb
To applaud the spectacular achievement of a loved one unexpectedly
This book will always have a place in my heart. It came to me at just the right time in my life. I was feeling empty, depressed, and enervated (lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor). This beast fell into my lap and nothings been the same since. I have a new lease on life. I have a reason to read. I have a lens through which to approach new literature.
Some may look down on dictionary readers as emotionally stunted, socially awkward, as missing out on the wonders of fiction, or the actually important facts presented in more general non-fiction. But I proudly stand in front of you (figuratively) and proclaim myself a dictionary reader!
And I invite you, if you will join me, to read words about words.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2011
I really like the usage notes in this dictionary.
February 3, 2018
Look, a dictionary never wears the label "read" in the past tense. This is a valuable tool, and I frequently turn through its "pages" but, no, I have not "read" the entirety. Solid, easy to navigate, and dependable.
December 21, 2017
Great book to have on your Kindle for reference!
February 15, 2022
kinda terrible. wasnt fun to read, no plot, very hard vocab smh
Read
March 14, 2018A little dry
December 22, 2017
Date I finished this book: NEVER
Words are important regardless if by spoken word or written word, and it is best to know the meaning of a word in all uses, before you start putting it in your speech/writing patterns; also by knowing the meaning of words will you know the correct way to respond when they are aimed at you. The New Oxford is great to be on hand just to clarify a word or words that you might be a little foggy on or don't know at all, one should never just rely on others to convey the meaning of words in a message, because words do sometimes receive you different reactions from different people. It never hurts to learn the meaning of a new word, expanding ones vocabulary is a life long pleasure.
Words are important regardless if by spoken word or written word, and it is best to know the meaning of a word in all uses, before you start putting it in your speech/writing patterns; also by knowing the meaning of words will you know the correct way to respond when they are aimed at you. The New Oxford is great to be on hand just to clarify a word or words that you might be a little foggy on or don't know at all, one should never just rely on others to convey the meaning of words in a message, because words do sometimes receive you different reactions from different people. It never hurts to learn the meaning of a new word, expanding ones vocabulary is a life long pleasure.
July 11, 2017
ok I accidently opened this and now its saying I am reading this lol there needs to be a option to delete a book if you opened it by accident or you read a small amount and don't want to read it now or even if it's so awful you just can't read anymore. I don't like to review a book I haven't read all the way thru so putting an option for "have read so many chapters or pages but just not interesting" or something like that, just so you can get it off your list. I do look something up now and then in the dictionary but I sure don't read it like a book lol. But I sure will give it 5 stars because hey it's a dictionary that has good info in it so everyone should have one handy.
July 21, 2012
The best dictionary of American English I've ever found. I wish they would kill most of the "personality" entries (I don't go to a dictionary to find out who Michael Jackson was), but that's just about the only flaw. This is the only prescriptive (as opposed to descriptive) dictionary of American English I'm aware of. This is the book I go to to find out what a word actually means, as opposed to how it's been used in popular culture in the last few years, which is how most dictionaries work.
August 5, 2017
It's a dictionary. Pretty self explanatory.
Read
August 18, 2017Loved it! Probably could have used an editor. I think a lot of it is just made up.
June 29, 2019
It's a dictionary.
May 4, 2021
Good book, can someone explain the lore to me though? I want to understand what happened in chapter 5
January 21, 2012
Lacked characterization, no discernible story arcs.
October 8, 2016
This is in place of the book jolt that i've read twice now and can't put double ups on so yeah. Jolts (By bernard Beckett) is a good book. You should read it.
August 29, 2022
Boring:
adjective
not interesting; tedious.
The dictionary is boring.
adjective
not interesting; tedious.
The dictionary is boring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews