Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary

This is the earliest and still the best of corpus-based dictionaries, meaning that everything in it, especially all the examples, are taken from a database of currently-used English. Many other publishers have brought out corpus-based dictionaries (usually called learner's dictionaries), but this one still tops them. One key feature is that definitions are written as a full, natural-sounding sentence, the way you would paraphrase a word to a friend. This makes for much easier reading and comprehension, plus it demonstrates the normal way a word is used. The examples are chosen to highlight typical uses and words typîcally used with the main word (collocations). It's overall user-friendliness is outstanding. The grammar information itself is clever and uses the minimum amount of grammar jargon to give you the information you need. The CD-Rom version included is easy to install and to use (my adult students are very enthusiastic, and many have put in onto their office PCs as an everyday resource). In brief, this is a dictionary that understands the needs of today's English language user and learner and delivers it in the most accessible way. The additional features in the most recent sixth edition seem to meant to align it with other learner's dictionaries and go for a less austere look: adding more colour, pictures, and boxes with various bit of extra information. If this seduces more people, fine. But the basic reasons for using it are still the same as explained above.

PROS

- Each word entry has an example. It is drawn from Collins' bank of English with 2.5 billions of real Englis words. This help the readers to use the word in natural expression and grammatically correct. So far, it's the only dictionary that offers this useful feature. It has saved me from hours of frustration while writing technical documents and correspondence.

- You get two dictionaries for the price of one! It comes with a Dictionary CD rom containing the printed copy of the dictionary TOGETHER WITH pronunciation and 5 millions words of real English. This means you can look up the words, pronunciation and examples very quickly. This is a unique offer.

- It is well organized. Each word entry is printed in blue. Its definition is in black.

- The price is unbeatable for such a good and comprehensive dictionary.

CONS

Once in a while, there is a word with unclear definition. At that time I have to consult another dictionary. But after that I have to come back to Collins dictionary for examples.

In short, this is the BEST that YOUR MONEY CAN GET. I wish I had it while I was in school. Every high school and college student should have one copy.