Based on reviews of others, I decided to order the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. My son in high school has been very pleased. We have discovered that a few of your more basic words are missing. (This is the only thing that stops me from rating it at 5 stars.) You may want to keep one of the 'cheap' dollar store versions as a back-up for these words. It is well worth the investment. You could easily spend just as much on 3 or 4 other dictionaries and still not get what you need.

It works for me and it would be even greater if it was in a large print for those of us who need this feature.

It pays to buy the 'real thing' and not paperbacks
and school district and college 'throw aways' whose
versions of the English langage were okay fifty years
ago but, not now? Amazon has it for more than a affordable
price and the finished product will last till you've forgotten
how to read?

Although this is listed in Amazon as a "large print" dictionary, it's not. No knock on the dictionary, it's just not large print.

I found this dictionary to be complete...dependable
I wish the print was larger, but it may be out in large print as well.

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate is probably one of the best dictionaries available, no matter the language. It's definitions are at times elegantly phrased and it contains just about the right elements. However, for specific nomenclature (e.g. scientific terms), it would be best if American Heritage College could be used side by side for comparison to get a better understanding. I have been using Merriam-Webster's for 5 years now and it almost never failed me. But from what I gather from other's opinion it may not contain the more modern and fashionable terms in use as does American Heritage which seems to be more progressive and which has more modern phrasings in its definitions. On the technical side, the CD-ROM included is great, and I use the digital version of the dictionary frequently when I am reading in front of my computer and it has made looking up a word much more convenient. For the CD-ROM alone the price is well worth it. But if you want something more concise and less traditional (rigid and comprehensive) this dictionary is not for you. Then, you should try Oxford, Cambridge, or Collins.

Good deal!

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition (Red Kivar Binding with Jacket)

This is a wonderful item for any household to have to increase knowledge and settle conflicts, if you know what I mean. My dictionary has been the final "word" when disagreements arise. This one is a good edition.

This monstrosity of a dictionary weighs 3 lbs but for a good reason. It's the most comprehensive book I've ever seen, I haven't to date come across a word that hasn't been in it and the definitions are very articulate. The book even includes several pages explaining all the abbreviations and how to interpret the pronunciations. By far the best dictionary I've ever come across and worth it to someone looking for their first and last dictionary in this life time.

I purchased this dictionary for my wife and she loves it. I also purchasaed one for my mother-in-law. The book is used daily and has all the information in it that you would want.

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (2003, updated 2007) is the latest in their series of desk dictionaries.

To my mind, as a user of Merriam-Webster products for over fifty years, I consider this the basic unit of reference books which every family should have in its home. In addition to its 165,000 entries are other brief features which many skip over, but help fill out the definitions: Where the words came from, how and when they entered our language, and their various meanings.

Thousands of biographical and geographical names are included, as well as idioms and phrases, with a full index in the back.

In an age when correct spelling seems to have become almost optional, a dictionary as complete and educational as this will go far to train young people and professionals how to treat their language, and themselves, with the respect they both deserve.

New editions will be published, of course, but this volume will retain its usefulness for many years. I highly recommend it for home, school and office use. Yes, digital is handy but standards will change; print remains, regardless.

Having a dictionary in the old fashion book version is still a must for all homes. It is handy and precise, especially Webster's brand.

Merna Throne

Ordering was a breeze, received the book quickly and without fuss, everything about this transaction was very good.

Indispensable and necessary to keep up with modern usages and newly introduced words and ideas.

I bought this in hopes of improving my vocabulary. I keep it on my coffee table where it is handy. I didn't realize how often I came across words I didn't know. Sometimes when I go to look up a word, I find 2-3 others that are interesting or I don't know and I can just really browse through it for a while. I'm not that big of a nerd, I promise!

There are a few references that are essential for anyone going off to college. This is one of them. It will be just as useful fifty years from now as it is today. I am in the process of buying graduation gifts and include this book as a must have for everyone getting ready to continue their academic careers. This year I decided to give graduation "gift packs" with several books - which are listed below. I would classify all as "essential reading." The Elements of Style (Coyote Canyon Press Classics), New American Roget's College Thesaurus in Dictionary Form (Revised & Updated) (Signet Reference), The Chicago Manual of Style, and Essential Etiquette Fundamentals, Vol. 1: Dining Etiquette.

I had trouble deciding which dictionary to buy for my household. Since I have a husband who is in University and two children in elementary school, who are genius by the way, I found that the Collegiate dictionary is the best tool that we could have in the house.

The Merriam Webster College Dictionary was just the book to give as a prize for our school spelling bee.

I thought this dictionary was decent and served most of its purposes. The problem with purchasing it over the Internet, though, was that I didn't know if it had all of the features I needed.

Therefore, while it is good and has a great many words with concise definitions, the plurals of the words are not listed. I was astonished by this, since I'd never seen a dictionary before that didn't list the plurals! Of course, this was one of the things I needed in a dictionary in order to help me in my grammar class. So while I have a nice dictionary, I am still shocked about the lack of plurals!

So be forewarned if you are considering this dictionary that if you need plural forms of words, you will not find them in this book!

As a freelance writer, Webster's Collegiate is definitely my prefered dictionary.

Straight and to the point with definitions; very understandble; well in tune with American culture; easy to use. Perfect size to have 'at your fingertips' for quick reference.

The book came in right on time and it was in good shape. Thanks

Being a long-time user of earlier editions of this dictionary, it was my choice when I purchased it for my grandson as a gift.
He is using it, which was the point. An easy to use source, reference, and means of growing his language proficiency.
I recommend it highly.

The dictionary is great. Lots of words with concise definitions. Had a problem getting it here as the first shipment was temporarily lost by DHL.

This dictionary was just what was needed, neither too few words nor too much detail for everyday use.

Was very pleased with this purchase and was much cheaper than the very same Dictionary at Wal*Mart. Have used it at least a dozen times since.

Karen C. Haehnlein

As a teacher and writer, I found this dictionary easy to use and user friendly. It's up to date and has the latest words which cannot be found in older dictionaries. This is perfect for the home maker, college student, or anyone. I highly recommend.The Candidate: A NovelThe ReplacementThe Chase

This certainly ranks up there. My other choices for 2007, hands down:

1) How To Ace Your Way Through College & Still Have a Life
2) The MLA Handbook
3) Fiske Guide to Colleges

Dr. Vernon M
Cambridge, MA

I grew up with this dictionary- it was the only one my father (who has a Master's in English) reached for. I was excited to see it in Wal-Mart and promptly purchased one, as my family didn't have a dictionary. My husband came home and said, "Why didn't you buy it from Amazon-it would've been a lot cheaper!" I returned the first one to Wal-Mart and bought this from Amazon. It's the same thing, except it doesn't have tabs at the side like the one at Wal-Mart does. I REALLY find them useful so that I don't have to open it and go leafing through it just to get to the letter section that I would like to search through. Keep this in mind when you order. I think I would return this if it wasn't a hassle and pay the extra $ to have the tabs....

Since I am an international student studying in the United States, my perspective is slightly different from those of other reviewers. If you are studying for standardized tests such as SAT or GRE, this is the ultimate authority you should refer to whenever you feel unsure on the exact meaning of vocabularies you encounter in past administrated tests. If you practice on questions on analogy for awhile, for example, you would discover that the ETS (Educational Testing Services), the maker of GRE and SAT, also relies intensively, although not thoroughly, on Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary definitions to design their questions. Only by referring to the MW can you truly understand why certain answer choice is correct, while others are not.

As a bonus, you also have exclusive rights to send inquires on difficult words to MW resourceful editors, a service I find extremely helpful. Although responses are slow (because of, surprisingly, numerous projects in Merriam-Webster Corporation), you will generally receive the most authoritative answers from the brightest people on the planet. As an ESL learner, I am deeply obsessed with the flexibility, inherent logic, and beauty of English language; all introduced by this enlightening tome.

After two unsuccessful attempts to get a CD-ROM with this book, I found the correct dictionary to order. It is Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition thumb-notched with Win/Mac CD-ROM and Online Subscription. If you search for Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, this book does not display. Amazon was very cooperative in returning both versions of this book they sent me (without any charges to return them).

Since there is another version of this book that indicates "Book Only," I made an incorrect assumption that this version had the CD-ROM. I am not really sure what the difference is between the "Book Only" version and this version.

A compendium of 225,000 definitions advances itself as an uncommonly intimidating treatise but, lo, I garnered the tenacity to venture forth on an arduous quest of nigh incomprehensible magnitude. My pursuit of rhetorical erudition was both prolonged and tortuous. Indeed, I must yield that the whimsy of surrender infrequently manifested itself as an alluring courtesan of nectareous temptation. Nevertheless, my resolve was but consolidated when I observed a distention in the radius of my parlance. Indeed, I can affirm without recourse to fallacy that the juncture of my undertakings expeditiously culminated prior to the desistance of the tertiary synodic month.

This exhaustive scholastic glossary of the English idiom was most appeasing to my propensity for the conglomerative acquisition of wisdom (although Doreen has experienced sufficient discombublation as to articulate the apprehension that my manner of discourse is presently akin to that of a bovine sphincter).

I have been using this dictionary for many years. I have gone through a few editions. There are features that this dictionary that The New Oxford American Dictionary, Second Edition does not contain. First of all, the thumb tabs are quite helpful and time saving. Next, would be the word origins, country and languages when applicable, and year that it actually became a word. Followed by the pronunciation keys and parts of speech. In some cases, they also have word variations.

The only reason that I had bought the Oxford one was because this dictionary has words missing that I feel should be included. If a larger more updated version of this becomes available, I will be happy to purchase it.

This is a wonderful edition to any home library. The English language is well represented and defined. It is always by my side when writing.

George Ray Houston
Author: Southern Poetry

It's difficult to review a dictionary. This one is as good as any other
dictionary.

Whether you're a crossword aficianado; a writer and editor like myself; or a college student filling up the brain with new words - this fine and indispensible "tool" is a necessary addition to the bookshelf.

The etymologies and usage for each entry are excellent; multiple meanings are well presented. There are thousands of new definitions of recent words (technological, social, political) and expressions that are compellingly presented.

The reading is easy on the eyes, even though the print is small (to be expected for a dictionary); the clear font helps out.

The included CD may be helpful although I prefer to remain in analog mode to access semantic information.

This edition of Merriam Webster's Collegiate is ideal for everyday use and quick reference. It is priced reasonably: good bang-for-the-buck.
All in all, a good solid value for what you get.

Highly recommended.

Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts

I was very disappointed with this order. I paid the extra money for the book to insure I got the CD ROM for my daughter but did not receive it. I will never order from amazon again.

I was going to get one of those 'electronical dickshunaries', but all the reviews made them sound like a pain, and a good one was expensive and had more frills than needed. I just wanted something for looking up unfamiliar words when reading in bed, and I didn't want to fire up a computer to look up a word. So 'viola', a book! What a concept. Hasn't let me down yet and needs no batteries.

Before I bought this dictionary I searched high and low through Amazon reading reviews after reviews for the ideal dictionary. I came upon this one and I bought it. I have to say I am very pleased, especially when I came upon definitions for the words like then and than, or there and their. The dictionary not only gives a definition but goes further to give numerous examples and even a tad bit of history on how some words originated for these examples.

This dictionary far exceeded my expectations.

Oh my, what a long way definitions of words have strayed. Most people who buy and use Webster's dictionaries (either online, CD-ROM or as a book) don't realize Noah Webster was an extremely devout Christian. In fact, he was so devoted that his original 1st edition 1828 dictionary (still availible as a reprint under ISBN# 091249803X) had most of its definitions taken straight out of the bible (similar to the way our constitution was constructed from the bible). So many, many American English word's are based on biblical meanings (whether people care to admit it or not).

Example, in the 3rd edition of Webster's dictionary the word "Easter" is defined as a "Pagan holiday" (which is correct). In 8th editions and later, some ignorant, would-be, so-called "editor" decided to change the definition and now "Easter" is defined as a "Christian holiday" (which is INCORRECT, it's the Greek word "pascha" wich means "Passover" not "Easter"). How can the meaning of a word mysteriously change (virtually overnight) from a "Pagan meaning" to a "Christian meaning"??!! (By the way, pagan means a "heathen": a follower of a polythestic religion (polytheistic means many god's) or one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods: an irreligious or hedonistic person).

Just a heads up on how the definitions of English words are being tampered with by Merriam-Webster.

The moral of the story is this: if you want correct and truthful definitions, get ahold of the oldest Webster's dictionary you can possibly find and don't ever let go of it (in fact, always keep a look out for an older edition than the one you currently have on hand). Let the "liberal powers that be" at Merriam-Webster keep changing and tampering with definitions to conform to their own views while you keep using and treasuring your ancient, dusty and musty smelling, old Webster's dictionary.

You can get a nice, rank, old one on eBay or at a Garage Sale for a dollar or two. Or better yet, order the original 1828 dictionary and use it! That's the edition I use. A dictionary is one of the few things in life where older is actually better than new.

What a long way definitions of words have strayed. Most people who buy and use Webster's dictionaries (either online, CD-ROM or as a book) don't realize Noah Webster was an extremely devout Christian. In fact, he was so devout that his original 1st edition 1828 dictionary (still availible as a reprint under ISBN# 091249803X) had most of it's definitions taken straight out of the bible.

Example, in the 3rd edition of Webster's dictionary the word "Easter" is defined as a pagan holiday (which is correct). In 8th editions and later, political correctness has taken over and "Easter" is now defined as a Christian holiday (which is incorrect, it's the Greek word "pascha" wich means "Passover" not "Easter").

Just some food for thought on where the definitions of words are being tampered with.

I guess as Bill Clinton would say; "...it depends on what your definition "is" is!"

The moral of the story is this: if you want more correct and truthful definitions, get a hold of the oldest Webster's dictionary you can possibly find and don't ever let go of it. Let the powers that be at Merriam Webster keep changing and tampering with definitions to conform to today's politically correct atmosphere while you keep using and treasuring your ancient, dusty and musty smelling, older Webster's dictionary that your found at a Garage Sale for a dollar! Or better yet, order the original 1828 dictionary and use it!

I odered the book for an older gentleman friend of the family who decided to start college after being out of school 30+ years. He states the book is easy to use and has every word he could possibly think of and more.

This is the best dictionary I have ever bought. It is perfect for my Web Designing needs. It even comes wrapped in plastic to protect it. WoW!

Everytime I order from Amazon I am pleased. I ordered this Dictionary for my Mother and she is very happy with my selection.

It's exactly what she wanted. The order arrived on time and in excellent condition, as always

Thank You.

This is a great dictionary, nothing special or fancy about it. I have found every word I have looked for unlike the one I picked up at Meijer's so I have to give it a great review. It has assisted me in writing proposals more than once and since a few of them have gone through I am very pleased with this dictionary.

-Tracy Congdon
Congdon Enterprises
& Financial Services LLC
-Business Cash Advances
-Business Loans
-Credit Card Processing
-Equipment Leasing

I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THAT THIS DICTIONARY WAS NOT INDEXED. IF THIS HAD BEEN POINTED OUT IN THE DESCRIPTION, I NEVER WOULD HAVE ORDERED IT. IT COULD HAVE SAVED US BOTH TIME AND MONEY.

Appears to be concise but the lettering could bed larger for the elderly.

I have found most of the elementary school-aged dictionaries to be too simple and not have enough words in them. My 7 year old uses this dictionary all the time to help him look up the meanings of words from books he reads. It may look too difficult for a kid but I found it to be much more useful for my son than the regular kids' dicitonaries. The explanations are simple enough for him to understand and the words are not too small that he loses interest.

This was purchased to keep in my diningroom for a scrabble game between my grandson, age 10, and myself. It is a good dictionary for quick reference and spelling.

I keep a hard copy dictionary on my desk when I need greater specificity than typically found on the Internet. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) provides strong word coverage, multiple meanings with clear examples of grammatical and contextual usage and definitions of newer social, political and technological terms and expressions. Practical information is offered in the appendices that include foreign terms and phrases, geographical places, grammatical handbook of style, signs and symbols and personalities. I find the font easy to read. I'm pleased with the purchase.

I've used both the Webster's Collegiate and Oxford dictionaries over the years for a better sweep of words, but the Webster's has always been my standby. I find it far better than other American dictionaries.