Need to buy a GOOD English Dictionary?

An English dictionary is the most important thing you will need when learning in English. A good dictionary will help you learn hundreds of new words, improve your pronunciation and grammar.

When you think of a dictionary, you usually think of a bilingual dictionary. For example, an English-German dictionary or a French-English dictionary. There is also another kind of dictionary: an English-English (monolingual) dictionary.

Such a dictionary is written only in English. English words are nottranslated, but they are defined or explained in English. For example, if you look up the word criticize in an English-English dictionary, you will read something like this:

to criticize = to say negative things about; to talk about the mistakes of

Why English-English dictionaries are better than bilingual dictionaries:

English definitions are real English phrases with grammar and words. If you read them regularly, you will automatically memorize the grammar and words.

English definitions let you learn more. You will often look up a word because it was part of the definition for another word.

There are two kinds of English-English dictionaries: Dictionaries for learners and dictionaries for native speakers. Dictionaries for native speakers are used by Americans, Britons, etc. to look up very difficult words, such as tintinnabulation. Dictionaries for learners are used by people who are learning English as a second language.

Dictionaries for native speakers usually have more words than dictionaries for learners, but the definitions are complicated, and there are fewer example sentences. Therefore your first dictionary should be a dictionary for learners. Later, you will need other dictionaries — for example, a dictionary of phrasal verbs and a big dictionary for native speakers.

Other things to look for in a dictionary:

Simple definitions. The definitions should be easy to understand. If something can be simple, it should be simple. See example of a simple dictionary definition.

Useful definitions. If possible, the definitions should tell you how to use the word. Generally, longer definitions are better, because they give more information. See example of a useful dictionary definition.

Both British and American English. Your dictionary should have both British and American words. Also, both British and Americanpronunciation should be given, because both are used in today's world.

Phrasal verbs and idioms. There are special dictionaries for these, but every English dictionary should have the most common phrasal verbs and idioms.
Pictures. Sometimes you can understand a picture better than a definition. See this example.

How many and how big is the dictionary?

It is a good idea to have at least two dictionaries: a large one (aboutthis size) to use at home, and a small (pocket) one to carry with you. For example, you can bring your small dictionary to English classes.

It is an even better idea to have at least two large dictionaries. What for? Well, it's about example sentences. Two example sentences are better than one; four are better than two. With more examples, you have a more complete picture of how a word is used and you can express more in English yourself.