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Other learner's dictionaries
The Learn These Words First dictionary explains 2400 headwords using a 360-word defining vocabulary (for beginning-level learners).
You can look up many additional headwords in larger learner's dictionaries, which often use between 2000 and 3000 words in their defining vocabularies (for intermediate-level learners).
Tip: When you look up a word in an intermediate or advanced dictionary, if the definition contains some unfamiliar words, you can copy and paste the definition into the Word Finding Tool. It can show you where to find a simple explanation for each word used in the definition.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (www.ldoceonline.com) is a monolingual dictionary for intermediate to advanced learners of English.
- Headwords are all defined using the 2000-word Longman Defining Vocabulary. (This is the same set of 2000 words explained in the Learn These Words First dictionary.)
- Double-click any word to look up its meaning.
- Definitions include information about grammar, usage, idioms and phrasal verbs.
Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
The Cambridge Learner's Dictionary (at dictionary.cambridge.org) is a monolingual dictionary for intermediate-level learners of English.
- Headwords are all defined using a 2000-word defining vocabulary.
- You can listen to British (UK) and American (US) pronunciations of headwords.
- For most words in a definition, clicking a word will look up its meaning.
- You can see translations of the headword or look it up in several bilingual dictionaries.
Macmillan Dictionary
The Macmillan Dictionary (www.macmillandictionary.com) is a monolingual dictionary for intermediate-level learners of English.
- Headwords are all defined using a 2500-word defining vocabulary. (You can see the defining vocabulary listed here.)
- You can listen to recorded pronunciations of headwords.
- For most words in a definition, clicking a word will look up its meaning.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com) is a monolingual dictionary for intermediate to advanced learners of English.
- Headwords are all defined using a 3000-word defining vocabulary. (You can see the "Oxford 3000" defining vocabulary listed here.)
- You can hear British (BrE) and American (NAmE) pronunciations of headwords.
- Double-click any word to look up its meaning.
- Definitions include information about grammar, usage, idioms and phrasal verbs.
Collins Cobuild English for Learners Dictionary
The Collins Cobuild English for Learners Dictionary (at www.collinsdictionary.com) is a monolingual dictionary for intermediate to advanced learners of English.
- Headwords are all defined using a 3000-word defining vocabulary.
- You can listen to recorded pronunciations of headwords.
- You can see translations of the headword or look it up in several bilingual dictionaries.
Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary
The Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary (learnersdictionary.com) is a monolingual dictionary for intermediate to advanced learners of English.
- Headwords are defined using simple language for learners. (3000 "Core Vocabulary" words are identified here.)
- You can listen to recorded pronunciations of headwords.
Bilingual dictionary or monolingual dictionary?
Second-language English learners often feel more comfortable using a bilingual dictionary (English-Spanish, for example), since each English headword is given a translation or brief definition in the learner's native language.
Using an English-English monolingual learner's dictionary may require more effort, but can be beneficial to second-language learners:
- Monolingual dictionaries immerse the student in the target language. As students read definitions, they get practice with the English words in the defining vocabulary and see how these words are used in sentences to explain meanings.
- Second-language English students working in a group can share the same monolingual dictionary and discuss word meanings, even if they do not speak the same first language.
- Some language pairs lack good bilingual dictionaries. After looking up a word in a bilingual dictionary, students can double-check the word's meaning and usage in a monolingual dictionary.
- English monolingual learner's dictionaries often have more extensive information for second-language students: better explanations of multiple word senses, example sentences showing collocations, usage and grammar notes.