The Wonderful Dictionary
In grad school I lived with two Ph.D. Students in English. We had a few dictionaries in the household, but we referred to the American Heritage simply as The Wonderful Dictionary. The page layout and the pictures were nice, but it was the work itself that earned the sobriquet. Definitions are refreshingly clear and finely-drawn. Distinctions among variants come across crisply. The small paragraphs on usage are downright fun to read. And ah! the paragraphs on regionalisms! Wheee! (Yes, I’m a long-standing word nerd, and if that designation applies to you at all, you *need* this dictionary). And perhaps most crucial is the appendix of (proto-) Indo-European Roots. We who love dictionaries - especially print editions - delight in wandering through them; we ricochet along, our eyes caught by alluring words as we look up something else, catching a synonym that leads us into a random association. This Appendix turbocharges that experience. When we see those nonsensical bold-face syllables at the end of a definition, we know The Wonderful Dictionary will take us to a hidden origin that has seeded words - sometimes dozens of them - across time and space, opening linguistic relationships that we never imagined. The American Heritage Dictionary glitters and sparks. It lets us hold the language in our hands like a gem, flashing with a sense of almost spatial dimensionality. It continues to provide the most learning and the most fun I’ve ever had with a dictionary.
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Since 6 years no update.
Spent huge pennies, content ok but App is upsetting and disgusting. Feeling behind cheated
Fabulous dictionary
I’m retired now but used the AHD for work for many years. Still opening it (the app) frequently.
Not regular updates of database and app..
It’s ashamed that as this app was purchased spending a considerable amount of money, app must be updated and improved on regular basis because it’s said that it is premium app. Last update was years far away.
Great Dictionary, Cartoonish Interface
The best dictionary for American English, with word origins, and a large vocabulary. This particular app interface is a bit cartoonish, as if it were designed for kids. It could be improved.
Best english dictionary
The best english dictionary available.
The best
No other dictionary, besides OED
Word Origins
This is my favorite dictionary because of the simplicity (and accuracy) with which you can trace etymologies.
It’s fine
Very useful
I love American Heritage
The definitions are excellent!
American Heritage Dictionary
Best dictionary American English available.
Excellent dictionary
Academic based and reliable
Best Dictionary App!
This is the most understandable English dictionary that I have used. The app is very user friendly and full of convenient features.
Stop the begging
Really tired of being begged fo a five-star review. If I wanted personal opinions I would consult a creditable source like MySpace.
I would prefer to not have the application keep track of recently defined words.
I would prefer to not have the application keep track of recently defined words.
Excellent dictionary
Always appreciated the fact that this is the only dictionary I'm aware of that provides the reader with Semitic roots.
Audio issues
Love the app but the volume for pronunciation doesn’t wrk; kind of defeats the whole purpose of learning new words
Ótimo!
Prático
Obnoxious ads in expensive app
I am disgruntled about ads like “Invite my friends” and “Rate this app” taking up fifty percent of the home screen.
The startup time is slow. The sound example usually don’t load. Really annoying.
The startup time is slow. The sound example usually don’t load. Really annoying.
Excellent, but not as good a the OED
None
Best Dictionary I’ve Used, but . . .
Good etymologies and helpful usage notes. Also has easy-to-understand pronunciations and audio pronunciations if you’re still not sure.
Unfortunately, trying to get a redemption code so that my husband could use the app on his new phone took over a month.
Unfortunately, trying to get a redemption code so that my husband could use the app on his new phone took over a month.
