Webster's New World Dictionary

by David Bernard Guralnik

This totally revised edition adds nearly 1,800 new words to the more than 60,000 entries. Named the "Best Desk Dictionary Available" (Kenneth Kister, Best Dictionaries), it is the first reference for the Associated Press, UPI, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and hundreds of other newspapers. Previously published by Warner Books.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Dictionaries, Language

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

David B. Guralnik (1921-2000) was a leading lexicographer, Yiddishist, and editor of Webster's dictionaries.

As editor in chief of Webster's New World line of dictionaries from 1948 to 1985, when he retired, he supervised works that carried his view of American English around the world. As a gatekeeper for words seeking admission to the literary mainstream, Mr. Guralnik wrote many of the new definitions himself. He took the title of editor in chief emeritus after he retired, and was a vice president of Simon & Schuster, now the dictionaries' publisher. His name recurred frequently as an arbiter in William Safire's ''On Language'' column in The New York Times Magazine.

Reviews

[Eva Stahlheber]

Etymologies much appreciated.

[Natalie Pietro]

Not really sure if this counts as a reading book but I must say I referenced it many times in the 90's before computers got really popular. I believe my mother still has it in her kitchen cabinet for easy access. I just remember my brother taking it from someone's locker in high school and giving it to my mother. Why I still don't know but there was a big swear word on the spine of this paperback. My mother couldn't believe someone would write such a word in permanent black marker on the books spine. She was like "No, no, no!" and scribbled it out with more permanent black marker. Not sure why but it sure brings back memories. Not sure if I ever will reference this book today with all the easy access to electronics but it nice to see it from time to time and think of the days of having to search through a big dictionary to find the correct meaning or spelling of a word. Fun times todays kids will never understand.

[Todd Cox]

I think this is the version I have... "Webster's New World Dictionary," with "Second College Edition" on the dark blue back cover. The front cover is missing, as I've had this for years (since college, actually... far too long ago to contemplate); likewise all the front pages except for the Foreword by Guralnik. It's been used but not abused. Absolutely essential on a writer's desk... or anyone who uses the language in any way shape or form.

[Evan]

Witness in photo above the fragmentary cover remains of my copy of this nicely-sized dictionary -- not as large as a hardcover dictionary but not as small as a scrunched up and hard-to-keep-open paperback. This one got me through high school and college and yeoman service for games of Scrabble with my wife. The cover design is kind of nice, I have to say. 100,000 words.

[Km/h]

essential

[Jeremy Preacher]

1960 edition. Smells so nice :)

[Bri]

Alot of words......don't plan on reading it in your spare time!

[Cherrysong]

I am doing a competition starting the beginnig of summer with my friend to see who can read the dictionary first. I think I amgoing to win!

[Huma]

Wonderful hand-me-down from my father.

[Carol]

Published 1984