Digital Dictionaries (online or software-based)

[John]

I would like to hear about other writers' experiences with online dictionaries (or software-based ones). I'm wondering if I'm missing out on some good options. I currently use dictionary.com the most. Thanks for any input, everyone.

[[deleted user]]

I don't use any specific dictionary except for the spellcheck and dictionary that comes with OpenOffice. If I want to confirm the spelling or check the definition of a word I do an online search and get a number of sources to crosscheck.

[Wally]

I use both, but I still like paper.

[John]

E.J. wrote: "I've always found The Free Dictionary the most useful: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/"

Thanks! I like this site. I'll try this one out.

[April]

Dictionary.com & Thesaurus.com - I keep them open when I write and use them both frequently.

[John]

April wrote: "Dictionary.com & Thesaurus.com - I keep them open when I write and use them both frequently."

Have you also found that you can no longer switch between sites w/out repopulating the search term (or is it just my browser)?

[Christina]

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[Tyler]

I was alternating between sites and kept my draft on a jump drive. One site had Word and the other, Open Office. The two spell-check dictionaries battled each time I switched. One was leaning toward European spelling and the other, American spelling.

Which ever you decide to use, it would probably be wise to remain consistent.

[John]

Thanks to everyone for providing helpful suggestions and anecdotes. Much appreciated!

[April]

I'm not sure what you mean, John. I use both sides, and it works well.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

To be honest, I don't pay attention to what dictionary sites I use. I just type "[word] definition" in Google if I need to be sure I'm using a word right and start clicking on various links that come up, making sure that most are in agreement about that word.

I rarely use a thesaurus except during one round of editing when I see a cluster of the same word used repeatedly. Then I just use the thesaurus that's part of Word.

[G.G.]

I mostly use http://www.macmillandictionary.com/ yet there are many words you won't find there. For those other words and to crisscross the definitions I use Google. I also like http://www.thesaurus.com/ for synonyms and definitions.

When in doubt I check different websites even urban definitions.

I have a physical dictionary which I use too sometimes when I feel like it, which is mostly on sunny days or when the ceiling light is on. ;)

[John]

April wrote: "I'm not sure what you mean, John. I use both sides, and it works well."

Thanks. I'll try updating my browser. In case you're interested, my experience in the past was this: I'd look up a word using dictionary.com, then I could click the thesaurus.com tab at the top of the website and instantly see a new page (thesaurus.com) with results for the same word. Sometime last week, h/e, that switch stopped working, and now I have to re-enter the word on each page. Not the end of the world, of course, but I miss the convenience.

[John]

G.G. wrote: "I mostly use http://www.macmillandictionary.com/ yet there are many words you won't find there. For those other words and to crisscross the definitions I use Google. I also like http://www.thesaur..."

Thanks, I'll check out macmillan.

[John]

E.J. wrote: "I've always found The Free Dictionary the most useful: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/"

Thanks! I like this one.

[John]

Thanks again, everyone!

[[deleted user]]

For dictionaries, I trust Miriam-Webster online dictionary
and accept them as the final authority when there is not a consensus with the others.

[Erin]

I do the same thing as Dwayne while editing.

[Justin]

I don't use online dictionaries or even the one in my phone that takes up a good amount of space lol. I usually type a word in on Google and whatever it says I usually go with. I also have an actual dictionary next to me at the computer because..you never know.