Book Description
This newly updated edition of America"s favorite dictionary features revised biographical and geographical entries as well as up-to-date charts and tables for topics such as world currencies and chemical elements. Among the 500 entries new to this update are Amber Alert, blogosphere, gravitino, halo effect, hawala, lycopene, malware, micropolis, proteome, Qi Gong, SARS, shout-out, speed dating, sudoku, Texas hold"em, text message, and wiki.
The renowned American Heritage® Usage Panel, a group of more than 200 distinguished writers, scholars, and scientists, offers advice on problems of grammar and style; engaging notes explain word histories and clarify differences among synonyms; thousands of quotations and example sentences show words in context; and elegant definitions are enhanced by 4,000 full-color photographs, drawings, and maps, making this one of the most readable dictionaries available anywhere.
This dictionary can also be purchased with a fully loadable Windows® / Mac® CD-ROM that contains the entire text of the updated Fourth Edition, 68,000 audio pronunciations, 1,000 full-color photographs and illustrations, and a college-level thesaurus with more than 260,000 synonyms. The CD-ROM has spell-check capability and can be used in conjunction with any Microsoft® Office application to get definitions at the click of a mouse.
Customer Reviews:
I love it!!.......2007-08-11
I love every page of this dictionary. It helps me a lot finding many strange words that I have never known before. Very useful.
Dictionary browser's dream.......2007-08-03
The best thing about this dictionary is that the definitions are quick to read when you need them. The multi-color type makes it very easy for your eyes to read the page and discern the words and notes from the actual definition, it's not just a stark white page with black type.
On the flip side, if you're not in any hurry, it is very easy to get distracted by the wonderful full color illustrations. Quite often I go to look up a word and find myself browsing other entries for hours. It has a substantial heft to it and a very attractive presentation. If you're going to use another typical dictionary you might as well use an online or software based source, but the American Heritage's qualities make owning a hard copy completely worth it.
Very Good Dictionary, but the New Oxford American Dictionary is Better.......2007-07-07
The American Heritage Dictionary is an excellent 1 volume dictionary, complete with the newest words, beautiful colorful design, and over 2,000 pages on all facets of the English language. I will compare this dictionary to the New Oxford American Dictionary (NOAD) as these are the two best 1-volume English dictionaries available.
In my opinion, the NOAD is clearly a better dictionary for reasons listed below. Generally, the NOAD's entries are longer and more detailed, hence the reader gets more information. The American Heritage definitions are almost too concise (usually too concise for my preference) although many people may prefer the shorter definitions. Each dictionary will have a number of lesser know words (and even some more common words) the other dictionary will not have (especially scientific words, geographical locations, and newer words), so one dictionary is not superior as far as having a significant amount of more entries. It appears to me the NOAD has more entries, but even if it doesn't, it is still a better dictionary.
Some comparisons of American Heritage Dictionary (2006) to the NOAD (New Oxford American Dictionary)(2004)
-The American Heritage 2,006 pages long A to Z, the NOAD is 1,959 pages A to Z. The American Heritage does not list anywhere that I can see how many entries it has. The NOAD says it has over 250,000 entries. The font of the American Heritage is smaller but it is just as easy to read as the NOAD's font. The NOAD uses 3 columns per page, the American Heritage uses 2.
-The American Heritage has some newer words not found in NOAD, such as Red state, Blue state, Sudoku, Texas hold'em, but don't get the idea though this makes it better than the NOAD. Here are some words (some relatively recent) the NOAD has that the American Heritage does not have: macarana (the dance), tamagotchi (the Japanese toy), October Surprise, Hamas (the militant Palestinian group), heat-seeking, (as a missile) tarte Tatin, solid south, spaceship earth.
-The American Heritage is visually more appealing with its 4.000 color pictures complete with a nice design layout. Although the NOAD lacks color, it has many effective illustrations, and it even devotes full pages to maps.
-A big advantage of the American Heritage is that it details some interesting etymological histories of about 400 common words. For instance the American Heritage dictionary gives a 13-line history on the word Kangaroo, explaining that it is not from an Aborigine meaning "I do not know," and then proceeds to explain the true history of the word. The American Heritage also has usage notes on over 750 synonyms, 100 notes on regionalisms, 500 notes on usage issues, and 50 notes on the social dimensions of some words.
-Although the NOAD does not give these selected, interesting word histories, overall the NOAD etymology is done much better than the American Heritage's etymology. The NOAD's etymological explanations are consistently more detailed, and it will frequently add a time frame when the word came into use, e.g. early 17th century (although it will not give specific years), something the American Heritage does not. The NOAD will give folk etymology of some words, and like the American Heritage will give notes on proper usage and help the reader/writer use the right word with synonyms.
-One huge advantage the NOAD has over the American Heritage is that it adds many, many more common word phrase origins associated with a word, including proverbs, clichés, etc. For instance the word `pie" n. the NOAD will list the phrases "as easy as pie" "as sweet as pie" "a slice of the pie" and "pie in the sky" (and giving definitions of each phrase) while the American Heritage just lists and defines "pie in the sky." The NOAD will also give the origin of a few phrases such as "flash in the pan" (from the failure of gunpowder to ignite properly to fire a gun). The American Heritage does none of this with its phrases, but note that the American Heritage Dictionary publishes a separate book on word phrase origins, which is probably the reason it places little emphasis on them in its main dictionary.
-The NOAD is superior in the biographical entries to the American Heritage. Each dictionary will have some people the other will not, but when they are similar, the NOAD almost always gives more information in a biographical entry. The NOAD is also superior in geographical entries. food entries, and political terms. The NOAD is also better at including entries one would normally find in an encyclopedia, for instance Tamil Tigers, Hammond Organ, Abby Road are in the NOAD, but not in the American Heritage.
-The NOAD is slightly better in giving information about nations of the world. The American Heritage's entries on nations is short and very basic, while the NOAD's, though not much longer, it will nevertheless give a better history of a country than the American Heritage will.
I love dictionaries, and in comparing these two dictionaries, the NOAD to me has its pulse on the English language more than the American Heritage. The American Heritage Dictionary however is still very good choice, but if I could take only one, it would be the NOAD. If you love words, you should get both to enjoy the variety each provides.
Dictionary to the rescue.......2007-06-28
Large, well-illustrated book. Complete and up-to-date word usage. Clean typeface makes it easy to read. It's the extras in this dictionary that make it outstanding. History of words, notes on language variation and usage, and people and places of the world, to name a few.
Wonderful addition to our library.......2007-06-07
We have been so happy with this dictionary. It is library quality. My kids love to look words up in it and I have found them from time to time just looking through it. It is heavy, so take advantage of the free shipping!
Book Description
This newly updated edition of America's favorite dictionary features
revised biographical and geographical entries as well as up-to-date
charts and tables for topics such as world currencies and chemical
elements. Among the 500 entries new to this update are Amber Alert,
blogosphere, gravitino, halo effect, hawala, lycopene, malware, micropolis,
proteome, Qi Gong, SARS, shout-out, speed dating, sudoku, Texas hold'em,
text message, and wiki.
The renowned American Heritage® Usage Panel, a group of more
than 200 distinguished writers, scholars, and scientists, offers advice on
problems of grammar and style; engaging notes explain word histories
and clarify differences among synonyms; thousands of quotations and
example sentences show words in context; and elegant definitions are
enhanced by 4,000 full-color photographs, drawings, and maps, making
this one of the most readable dictionaries available anywhere.
This dictionary can also be purchased with a fully loadable
Windows® / Mac® CD-ROM that contains the entire text of the
updated Fourth Edition, 68,000 audio pronunciations, 1,000 full-color
photographs and illustrations, and a college-level thesaurus with more
than 260,000 synonyms. The CD-ROM has spell-check capability and
can be used in conjunction with any Microsoft® Office application to get
definitions at the click of a mouse.
Customer Reviews:
American Heritage Dictionary w/CD-ROM.......2007-10-18
Bought my first American Heritage dictionary in 1969 and used it until the cover fell apart. It was the first reference book I actively enjoyed using. It was fun just to browse through and had lots of illustrations, maps, diagrams and photos (all in black and white), but much more than any other contemporary dictionary.
This new one is even better. There are color photos and diagrams now, and a CD-ROM which, when downloaded to a computer, will allow one to hear the pronunciation of a word, which I think is VERY helpful. Also, because I'm interested in a word's history, the appendix of Indo-European roots is, to me, fascinating.
All in all, a book I'm sure I will enjoy for a long time.
Great resource.......2007-08-13
The American Heritage Dictionary with CD-ROM is a great resource for the highly mobile laptop user. The hard back book is a handsome shelf reference for office use, but the easy to maneuver CD-ROM makes working while traveling with your laptop an easy, accurate, and enjoyable task.
Very Usefully.......2007-05-16
We have been using the book and CD a lot since we received them.
A darned good dictionary, but with its own angle on English.......2007-05-05
Any lover of the English language should never be satisfied with just one dictionary in his library; all have their own strengths, weaknesses, peculiarities, biases and feel. Essentially, your decision rests between two ends of a spectrum: the Oxford English Dictionary and The American Heritage Dictionary -- regardless of which side of the pond you reside -- and a Webster's dictionary somewhere in the middle.
The AHD represents the cutting edge in American lexicography. It's hip, it's cool, and it's filled with color photos. It includes brand new verbs such as "google". It's a great book to sit down with and browse through for hours, and it is a lot of fun.
I use the American Heritage Dictionary quite a bit in my research, however I find myself asking the question; "what is the purpose of a dictionary?" Is it to preserve the English language and grammar or to simply be a repository of all the words and quirky expressions that are spoken? The AHD seems to be an advocate of the latter. Its "Our Living Language" usage notes give credence and validate dialect such as "y'all" (you all), "ax" (ask) and the continual overuse of "like" as being conversation filler. (It's not just for teenagers anymore!)
It is worthwhile to look through the list of people who comprise the Usage Panel on the American Heritage Dictionary, an eclectic (questionable?) mix of individuals to say the least: the late Carl Sagan, Molly Ivins, Robin Cooke M.D., and others including film critics, poets, and even radio commentators. Throughout the AHD there is a disconcerting acceptance of non-standard English and, as other reviewers have noted, a heavy amount of political correctness. Ultimately, this dictionary does a remarkable job of presenting current American English usage as spoken, for better or for worse.
At the opposite end of your dictionary purchase decision is the behemoth Oxford English Dictionary: the "Concise" version being comparable in size (and cost) to the American Heritage Dictionary. Here we have the keeper of our mother tongue, with a more stringent adherence to grammar -- some might say to the point of being stodgy. However, if you are concerned with the degradation of English and wish to preserve its usage and write "correctly", the OED is the better choice. Like the AHD, the Concise OED is a lot of fun to sit with and browse. Its many usage notes will clarify and take a stand on common confusions, such as "media" being a plural noun, whereas the American Heritage Dictionary seems to have given up fighting that battle and recognizes current vernacular. Which is right? I'm not sure. I like the flexibility of the AHD, but find myself referring to the OED just as often, especially in matters of grammar.
So my recommendation is to own both dictionaries if you are a true lover of English and are the type of geek like me who enjoys reading a dictionary without having anything in particular to look up. The AHD is a really cool book -- the color photos and layout make it more than worth the purchase price -- and it is on top of all language trends, slang, and dialects within the United States. The OED is to be revered and relished for its love of the language and its desire to preserve it.
Or, if you prefer, at times the American Heritage Dictionary seems flaky, and at times the Oxford English Dictionary seems stuffy.
And if you merely need to look up words from time-to-time and aren't interested in linguistic controversy, any of the Webster's line of dictionaries will make a fine, and more affordable choice.
4th edition .......2007-04-10
I have had the 3rd edition of this dictionary for 7 years and thought it was super, espically the online part. However the 4th edition is very much improved.
1. you can load everything to your hard disk so you don't need the CD inplace to get the pronunciations
2. the interface looks cleaner and has a better layout
Amazon.com
The latest edition of the American Heritage Dictionary is out, and that's hot news--not just for the resolute followers of lexicographical minutiae, but for the general reading and writing public as well. Why? Because the American Heritage is a long-standing favorite family dictionary (never underestimate the value of pictures) and one of the prime dictionary references for magazines, newspapers, and dot.com content providers. For scads of writers and editors across the U.S., it sets the standard on matters of style and lexicographical authority.
So this new edition is exciting and noteworthy, but how good is it? In its favor, the fourth edition is as current a dictionary as you can get. It's six years fresher than the 1994 version, with 10,000 words and definitions you won't find in the still venerable but now slightly dated third edition. For example, unlike its predecessor (and also unlike the 1996 Oxford Encyclopedic English Dictionary), this fourth edition covers dot-com, e-commerce, and soccer mom, Ebonics, Viagra, and a surf definition for cruising television channels and the Internet.
Its panel of special consultants includes authorities on anthropology, architecture, cinema, and law, plus military science, music, religion, and sports, and that is reflected in an impressively comprehensive coverage of the arts, culture, and technology. Sadly, however, there are no medical consultants on the panel, and that loss is felt in some substandard medical definitions. Other flaws: there's a greater than usual tendency to define a word with a form of the same word--for example, fuzzy, whose first two definitions are "1. covered with fuzz." and "2. of or resembling fuzz." And some definitions seem needlessly wordy, such as the entry for furious, which is "full of or characterized by extreme anger; raging." Compare that with the more succinct Oxford Encyclopedic entry: "1. extremely angry. 2. full of fury."
On the other hand, there are valuable entries throughout the dictionary supplying additional information on synonyms, usage, or word history, and these extras, such as the history of diatribe and the usage notes on discomfit, are interesting. The layout is easy on the eyes, with dark blue/green bold type setting the words apart from their definitions, and 4,000 color photographs, maps, and illustrations that are both useful and delightful. On one page, the margin provides color depictions of Francis Bacon, bacterium, and a Bactrian camel. Theodore Roosevelt and a rooster share another margin, while a third page offers Isak Dinesen, a dingo, and dinoflagellate. It is a fascinating book to peruse, and a compellingly scholarly addition to the American Heritage Dictionary line. --Stephanie Gold
Book Description
* Over 70,000 entries
* Thoroughly revised and updated
* 1,000 new words and meanings
* Over 400 photographs and illustrations
* Expert guidance on correct usage
Based on the bestselling
American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
American Heritage® dictionaries are widely known as the most innovative and informative dictionaries in today's market. This all-new fourth edition of the best-selling classic continues that tradition with its clear and precise definitions, its expert usage guidance, and its wealth of illustrations. Newly updated to reflect our changing language, this revised edition is the most up-to-date and authoritative dictionary available today.
* More than a thousand new entries for such terms as e-tailer, zine, bioreserve, chatroom, red card, domestic partner
* More biographical and geographical entries than any other paperback, thoroughly updated for the new millennium
* The most lavishly illustrated dictionary on the market -- with over 400 images
* Expert usage guidance based on the American Heritage® Usage Panel
* Regional notes from around the country
* Hundreds of synonym lists, fascinating etymologies, and much more
American Heritage® Dictionaries. Setting a new standard.
Customer Reviews:
The Gold Standard for Writers.......2007-08-23
I am a budding writer. As part of my research for developing a freelance commercial writer practice, I read "The Well Fed Writer" by Peter Bowerman. In his discussion of writer tools, Bowerman recommended The American Heritage Dictionary above all others. He called it "THE happening dictionary out there."
How do you measure a dictionary? I looked up current usage of words not in common use when I bought my Webster's Collegiate twenty-odd years ago. I found a definition of "hip-hop" [n. 1. A popular urban youth culture, closely associated with rap music and the style of innre-city African-Americans.] There is a brief discussion of the distinction in use of the words "Hispanic" and "Latino." Though not an encyclepedia, American Heritage lists prominent historic figures with the source of their fame and life years.
I bought the paperback version for the price. Next time, I will buy the trade edition [larger paperback] or hard cover version to take advantage of the larger type. The paperback is pratical for carrying around. I use my dictionary in my office.
Quality has decreased over the years.......2007-08-21
I own the 2nd paperback edition of this dictionary that I've had since around 1989. It was getting quite worn out on the covers, but pages are fine but simply yellowed. Since I've liked this dictionry for so many years, I thought it's about time to get a new edition. When I got this new 4th edition, it looked about the same size but bit thicker, of course they better have added some new words over the last 20 years. So I put the old one away and started using the new one. After a couple of months of using it, the binding have almost splitted in half and some pages are starting to fall out just from normal flipping and looking up words. I'm quite careful with books, and the old 2nd edition still has it's binding and all pages intact. In terms of the number of words, it was really not necessary, at least for me, to have this new edition, because I've learned these so called "new" words from TV, newspapers, magazines, friends, co-workers, colleagues, and Internet increasingly for the last two decades. I think it would be strange for someone today in the 21st century needing to know a supposed "new" word like email(e-mail), unless he or she has been living in a cave or a coma all these years.
Always excellent.......2007-08-01
This is the best dictionary I've found. It has many contemporary references that are useful for many situations. Others have been surprised I found some information in my dictionary. They thought I got it out of a reference book like a encylopedia.
Great Resource, especially for people who are serous about American English...........2007-05-10
In my opinion, despite shortcomings pointed out by other reviewers, this is the gold standard for American English. It is comprehensive enough to cover a lot of territory that an educated person is likely to encounter, but not so much detail that you can't carry the thing around or use it easily. If you just want a dictionary for magazine and pleasure reading, you can probably get buy with something less than this. However, if you read classics and more intellectual material, this is a must have.
I agree with some of the criticisms of this particular version. However, American English is what it is. If you want a companion volume that compliments it, then I suggest Concise Oxford English Dictionary. This has more nuanced definitions with more of a focus on proper usage. It is complimentary to the dictionary I am reviewing and you can get both along with a useful CD version for about $10.00 more.
I find that having two dictionaries gives me two angles on a particular word. If you want even more depth, you may also want The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology (Dictionary) and Roget's International Thesaurus, Indexed, Sixth Edition Revised & Updated. I find that the thesaurus with THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY is limited and not as flexible to use. If you are a writer, this will be a problem.
Unfortunately, a good dictionary is expensive and if you could only buy one and you are American, this is excellent. It also has rather concise definitions without a lot of complications that require you to keep looking up words in a circular fashion to get the information that you need i.e. it gets to the point. The Oxford dictionary is a bit less accessible, but it has more detail in the definitions and sticks to strict standard usages.
A dictionary.......2007-03-20
I've tested it during class and works great. That's all I can say. It has pictures in it. The font used is very easy on your eye. The bold arrows help as well. Good dictionary, I guess. I really would not know how to review a dictionary.
Book Description
The newly updated American Heritage® College Dictionary, Fourth
Edition, presents the very best that a college dictionary can offer.
It features all the qualities that have distinguished the American
Heritage® name for decades: a clear and accessible defining style,
expert usage advice, and more than 2,500 photographs and drawings
that enhance the definitions and invite browsing.
New to this updated release are recently prominent terms such as
blue state, edamame, and fattoush. The Periodic Table of the Elements
includes the newest element, roentgenium. Biographical entries are
fully up-to-date, and geographical entries reflect the latest geopolitical
changes.
And now for the first time, The American Heritage® College
Dictionary includes a registration card with a unique passkey code
that allows the user to download directly to a PC or Mac the entire
contents of The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English
Language, Fourth Edition, as well as Roget's II: The New Thesaurus.
The eReference Suite can be accessed within Microsoft® Office
applications at the click of a button. This remarkable $34.95 value is
free with the print product.
Customer Reviews:
Good, Solid Reference.......2007-06-14
Up to date, clear definitions and high quality.
Product Description
A clean, easy-to-use design with 7,500 new words and updated definitions in all subject areas. Totally new illustration program with 2,500 new images. New computer and Internet terms, as well as newly coined words in science, politics, business, and the arts. Up-to-date biographical and geographical entries. Expert usage guidance from the American Heritage¨ Usage Panel. Includes a FREE CD-ROM containing the full dictionary and a complete thesaurus with more than 260,000 synonyms. Fully loadable Windows¨ or Macintosh¨. 1,664 pages.
Amazon.com
Despite the word "college" in the title, The American Heritage College Dictionary is the best choice for anyone who's looking for a substantive desk dictionary but isn't quite ready to commit to the space an unabridged takes. With more than 200,000 definitions and biographical and geographical notes, along with crisp photos, drawings, and diagrams in every margin, The American Heritage College Dictionary packs a lot into its 1664 pages. Under "lock," for example, you'll find both a diagram explaining how your key fits into and opens one, as well as a photo of boats passing through a river lock in Heidelberg, Germany. The actual definition section for "lock" shows 5 uses as a noun and 14 as a verb, followed by the idioms "lock horns" and "lock, stock, and barrel," and an etymological note that the word comes from the Old English loc, meaning "bolt or bar." As with all of the American Heritage dictionaries, The American Heritage College Dictionary boasts clear typography, clean design, and terrific usage notes based on the opinions of its 173-member usage panel, a group of noted North American writers and scholars, including Daniel Boorstin, June Jordan, Calvin Trillin, and Eudora Welty. These usage notes (for example, "brunette" seldom refers to men, because "-ette" is too closely associated with the feminine gender), along with regional notes (in the Northern U.S., a "bubbler" is a drinking fountain) and word histories, are a valuable addition to the standard definitions and synonyms one would expect from a college dictionary, and they are what make The American Heritage College Dictionary stand out from the crowd. --Rebecca A. Staffel
Customer Reviews:
Have it handy.......2007-07-28
I make my living with words, and the A-H College is the first dictionary I turn to -- head and shoulders above M-W or Webster's. It's a good idea to buy a new one every 10 years or so.
My favorite dictionary.......2007-01-04
After 30 years, my old American Heritage Dictionary fell apart from overuse. I'm a logophile and a writer. I've had to use other dictionaries, but this is definitely my favorite. My Webster is way too big and unwieldy. The AHD fits all my needs.
Simply the Best.......2005-08-02
I purchased this book as a gift for a high school graduate going off to college. I have been teaching college English for thirty-three years, and have been requiring my English Composition students to buy it since the first edition came out. The definitions and resources in this book are startlingly clear; the "Usage Panel" notes of previous editions contain wonderful discussions of the "majority" opinions of a panel of experts on complex usage questions that baffle most of us every day. The American Heritage Dictionary is the most reliable definer of American English as it is used today, and I treasure its reliablity and accuracy. No home should be without it. I haven't looked at the CD Rom included in this edition, but it is probably as superb as the book itself for the computer generation leading us into the future. I prefer pages and wanderings. If you don't own this book, you are depriving yourself of an adventure in discovery. Don't go one more day without it.
Good layout, font size, and features = a quality dictionary.......2003-10-10
This is a review of the hardcover dictionary only; I did not purchase the CD. I have an older edition paperback American Heritage dictionary, but wanted a hardcover desk reference that was more comprehensive, without getting one of those massive, all-encompassing tomes that I could hurt my back trying to use.
I considered three dictionaries - the American Heritage College dictionary, the Merriam Webster Collegiate dictionary, and the Oxford American Desk Dictionary. I compared a few definitions, the paper quality, and page layout (font size, spacing, etc.)
All three dictionaries seem to have good definitions - the wording varies, of course, for each one. The Oxford seemed to have the most direct, straightforward definitions, but lacked secondary definitions or didn't have as many word usage / word history tidbits (which I like, but which admittedly are not essential) as the American Heritage.
Paper quality for each is good, although the Merriam Webster's page brightness was a little "dim" for me - Oxford and American Heritage pages were just the right brightness, making the pages seem more crisp and easy to read.
I really like the page layout for the American Heritage - clear, nicely-spaced font that is easy on the eyes and makes reading a joy. I didn't have the problem some have mentioned with respect to words "running into" the spine - just tilt your head a little, and you can read the definitions just fine. Oxford page layout is likewise nice; reading Merriam-Webster gave me a headache because everything is "scrunched" together - spacing between lines is woefully inadequate, in my opinion.
In sum, the American Heritage is a quality "midsize" dictionary. Oxford is also nice. Merriam-Webster didn't cut it for me.
Tied for best.......2003-07-16
I as an intern at a book publisher, and I also used to shelve books in the reference section of Borders, so I've had a chance to form an opinion about the best dictionaries out there.
American Heritage is one of three dictionaries I think are worth owning and one of two that I think are tied for best. Describing all three in chronological order (and also in order from okay to great):
Merriam-Webster is the original Webster's dictionary; their collegiate dictionary is an abridgement of their Third New International Dictionary, the biggest dictionary of American English. Therefore some people, including the publisher I worked for, consider it the most authoritative dictionary. I used to think so too, but not anymore. I think it is too conservative and slow to embrace change. My M-W Collegiate Dictionary has a copyright date of 2000, but doesn't include words like "webcam" or "webmaster," which A.H. includes.
Webster's New World Dictionary has been around for about 50 years and I've heard that it's the dictionary most often used by journalists. It's as good as A.H. or any other college/desk/general-use dictionary you'll find. In a couple ways, W.N.W. is actually better: it does a really great job of cataloguing idioms, and a pretty good job with synonyms too. Definitely worth buying.
American Heritage has been around for about 20-25 years, I think, and to me what makes it most unique is its progressiveness and its quickness at cataloguing language change. "Webcam" and "webmaster" are in A.H. It's got great photos, too (especially the color photos in their unabridged edition, of course, but even in their college edition the black and white photos surpass anything in M-W or W.N.W.). When I look at a definition in A.H., I feel like I am seeing something relevant and up-to-date. I originally bought the unabridged A.H. dictionary, but I exchanged it for their college dictionary because personally I need a dictionary that's light enough that I can whip it off the shelf in a flash without the risk of injury (grin).
I own all three of the above dictionaries. When I worked at a bookstore, I recommended either A.H. or W.N.W. as being the best. To me it is a matter of taste which is the best. If I had to choose one, I'd be a tough choice. I guess I'd pick W.N.W. just because I think it gives you more content for your dollar, but I'm glad I own A.H. too. As you can see from my rating, it is a 5-star dictionary, and in some ways it is the best.
Book Description
The newly updated American Heritage® High School Dictionary,
Fourth Edition, offers the distinctive qualities that characterize the
American Heritage® line without including obscene words or offensive
slurs. The dictionary features a modern, readable defining style, helpful
guidance on English usage, and more than 2,500 photographs and
drawings that enhance definitions and invite browsing.
New to this updated release are recently prominent terms such
as edamame, ringtone, sandboard, spyware, and Texas hold'em, and
biographical entries for figures such as newly appointed Supreme Court
justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen
Harper, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Additionally, the Periodic
Table of the Elements now includes the newest element, roentgenium,
and the geographical entries reflect up-to-date geopolitical changes,
such as the recent dissolution of Serbia and Montenegro.
Usage notes based on the opinions of the renowned American
Heritage® Usage Panel help the reader discern the difference between
the conventional and the quirky in language use. Special features on
synonyms, regionalisms, and word histories enrich vocabulary and show
how language changes over time. The American Heritage® High School
Dictionary, Fourth Edition, is the most comprehensive high school
dictionary available today.
Customer Reviews:
Never lost!.......2001-06-02
My young daughter was forever losing the paperback dictionary in our home. I purchased this book for her birthday. She nows enjoys looking up words and this book can take her through middle school, high school and into her college years. Plus, it is difficult to misplace such a substanial book.
Dictionary to see my son through college.......2000-04-12
I was looking for an Amarican dictionary that could see my 7 year old son through college. I scanned the Amazon and read in detail about all available dictionaries and made this choice. Now I am using it myself also.
It presents works broken into syllables and the pronunciation key is provided on every page. This makes correcting pronunciation easy.
It is partially illustrated. This makes it pleasant to read.
Although it is thick, it is light. This is an important consideration for students.
The binding is strong, so is the paper. I am sure it will see my son through college.
Product Description
Houghton Mifflin American Heritage Hardbound Dictionary of the English Language with CD-ROM 0618082301 / HOU0618082301 / American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language with CD-ROMFourth Edition. Full-color edition includes over 10,000 new words and 4,000 photographs, illustrations and maps. Features revised Appendix of Indo-European Roots, Appendix of Semitic Roots and over 450 new and revised Usage Notes. Hardbound, thumb-indexed. 2,112 pages. 8-1/2 x 11. CD-ROM combines the print edition with the accessibility of an electronic format. CD-ROM requires PC with Pentium 200 or higher processor; Windows 95, 98, NT or 2000; 32 megabytes of RAM; 20 megabytes hard drive space; multimedia system with Microsoft Media Player for sound; SVGA 800 x 600 or higher resolution monitor; mouse and keyboard. / Sold As 1 EA / Houghton Mifflin / SKU: HOU0618082301
Customer Reviews:
More than satisfied with book AND CD........2006-03-15
The AHD-English Language 3rd ed. has been the official dictionary for the UIL Spelling & Vocabulary event that I have coached for several years, and when the 4th edition became available, I decided to add a copy to my classroom for the newer listings it includes. As usual, they've done a great job using quality paper, an easy to read font, and interesting illustrations. I'm also impressed with the number of proper nouns (people and places especially) that I've been able to find here.
As for the CD, I've never owned a loadable dictionary of any quality before, so I probably have different expectations than some of the other users who have posted here. I have found it very useful and quite easy to use. When preparing documents and PowerPoint presentations, it has been an enormous time-save to be able to simply select a word and have a definition and in many cases, the etymology the word almost immediately.
Ordering this book/CD combination from Amazon was a tememndous savings over the retail store offering.
CLEAR & ILLUSTRATE.......2005-08-02
THIS IS A DICTIONARY FOR MY RECOMMENDATION , THE CLEAR & ILLUSTRATE FOR OUR UNDERSTANDING.
a Great Dictionary!.......2005-07-19
I guess I'm still a kid. I love all the pictures American Heritage uses. I also like having a hard copy to page through. I don't enjoy the computer dictionary nearly as much.
AHD has done it again!.......2005-04-26
I am a big fan of the AHD series. In regards to the comments made by the reviewers, AHD, 3rd Edition software was not made by the same people who made AHD, 4th Edition software. That's why the products are completely different. I've actually bought their latest downloadable product online eReference which has updated the `kinks' that the reviewers were complaining about. It's actually quite good. I use it everyday for my work and at home.
Buy the paper edition now but dont buy the CD .......2005-03-19
Summary: don't buy the CD without first reading the previous 11 reviews.
Details: The 4th print edition is very nice and it stands up the American Heritage fame of past editions. Nice improvement. Buy it right now. Specially if you have kids or are young in mind, it begs to be explored. However, I was about to buy /download the software (CD) version -- but after reading all 11 previous reviews, it is clear it's NOT worth it. From loosing 30% of the screen due to a silly logo, to not being able to chain link through definitions (click on words you find in a definition), etc it's obviously not worth it. I read the developer's words but he just merely addresses technical glitches, not the biggest complaints which are usability. I hope the editors read these comments and improve / heed the comments for the 5th edition.
Book Description
A gift every word lover will cherish, this version of The American Heritage® College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, has thumb-indexing and an attractive linen case with stamped lettering.
Customer Reviews:
College Level Dictionaries.......2007-07-10
The American Heritage College Dictionary 4th Edition, PLUS Roget's II The New Thesaurus, 3rd Edition
This dictionary will very nicely meet the needs of most readers
and many writers.
The Best Dictionary.......2006-08-13
The American Heritage College Dictionary, Fourth Edition Deluxe is a very beneficial tool for college students. It helped me tremendously to succeed in my class on linguistics. I will also use this dictionary in the future to help in all educational areas. Overall, this is the best dictionary I have ever owned.
Dictionary is excellent, print is small.......2005-10-19
This dictionary is the same excellent quality as past American Heritage dictionaries but it is not the large family size one I had as a student. This is the traditional, school desk dictionary size with a lot more words- so the type is smaller.
Misleading description.......2005-01-12
Just wanted to warn folks that the description of this edition is kind of misleading (at least it mislead me!). It says that it has "an attractive linen case with stamped lettering." Well, I think that it should say it has "an attractive linen COVER." The book does NOT come in a case (as in slip-case), which I expected.
Stunning and rewarding dictionary.......2004-07-13
BACKGROUND
I purchased this dictionary based on my experience with two older H-M dictionaries: the H-M Canadian Dictionary from 1982 and the American Heritage 3rd edition; for the most part I prefer the former.
APPEARANCE
I anticipate that anyone who first holds this beautiful example of book making will be as delighted as I was. From the deep red linen cover with its gold lettering, to layout of the entries, to the crisp resolution of both text and images, this dictionary is drop dead gorgeous. Similarly, its size and weight make it both comfortable and satisfying to hold.
CONTENTS
The amount of words is excellent for its size, thanks to H-M's choice of Minion as the body font (one of my favorites!). The definitions are clear and the etymologies are throrough. Usage notes, synonomy paragraphs and the like all add to the richness of browsing through this dictionary; that combined with the visual presentation of the entries and the addition of photos make this a very pleasant dictionary to browse through. In other words, it invites one to explore its pages, as opposed to just being used as a reference for when you want to look up a word.
EXTRAS
Other nice features which expand on the dictionary's encyclopedic character are the addition of several charts and tables, as well as some fascinating appendicies on the Indo-European roots of English and other languages.
SUMMARY
This is a dictionary for those who love to explore the riches of our language. It has ample entries, whose meanings, pronunciations and etymologies are all clearly articulated, as well as being (arguably) the most beautiful dictionary available today. Highly recommended.
Customer Reviews:
Funky Words.......2007-01-10
Good if you like some strange words,but try another one if you want to increase your vocabulary with useable words.
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English (All)
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Roget's International Thesaurus, Indexed, Sixth Edition Revised & Updated
The Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus
The New Oxford American Dictionary
The American Heritage Dictionary: Fourth Edition (21st Century Reference)
The Chicago Manual of Style
