Product Description

This title provides instant access for PC users to 190,000 definitions and over 325,000 synonyms and antonyms. You should never be at a loss for words again, as this 190,000-word dictionary includes: 14,000 new and updated entries; etymologies; pronunciations; examples of words in use; in-depth information on how to use words appropriately, and more. There is a 325,000-word thesaurus which includes antonyms; a definitions search to find a word when you only know its definition, or have a vague idea of what it means; a wildcard search finds a word when you only know part of the word, for example, type "dra*" and get a list of 149 words beginning with "dra*", including "drachma"; anagram search finds all the words that can be made with the letters of a word. For example, type "cat sat on the mat" and get a list of 9 words with 8 letters or more, including "test match"; and the browse function lets you look through the entire dictionary or thesaurus one word at a time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #740257 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-07
• Platforms: Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP
• Dimensions: .23 pounds
• Binding: CD-ROM

Customer Reviews

A must for anyone who studies the English language
This CD-Rom is extraordinary informative. The entries have IPA transcriptions and very clear explanations. I particularly like the use of colours to differentiate the words from their synonyms and antonyms. When you look at the synonyms or antonyms, you get loads of terms to choose from - and I dare say you could feel a bit lost not knowing all their meanings - but what you have to do is to simply right-click on each word and a small dictionary window appears, giving you extra information on the meaning of the word you didn't know. By clicking on the "Examples" entry, you sometimes get hundreds to thousands of examples taken from the Bank of English, i.e. a 450 millions words database of contemporary language from real sources of information.
My only disappointment is that the CD-Rom doesn't install completely onto my hard disk and I have to run it every time I need it, but it's really worth and I am happy I bought it.

A disappointing version
The synopsis applies to the earlier (second) edition of 1995, which I own and love.
I have just bought the newer (2002) edition and am bitterly disappointed with it.
It no longer has 149 words for dra*. It has 20.
It no longer allows wildcards such as d?s?y for help with the Times crossword.
It no longer gives anagrams from SOME of the letters (like "test match" from "cat sat on the mat"). It gives all or nothing. And quite often nothing.
It does not give you the option to request an anagram. It gives one when it sees fit. And it doesn't recognize "a brown I" as "rainbow". Or "citsalp" as "plastic".
It no longer gives the word list (of words near the search word) nor displays the next full word as you type the first bit. It requires you to put in a full word, and press Enter.
And although you install it completely on your hard drive it requires the CD in the drive as a security measure, preventing me from playing music.
At least it has "internet" in it, which the previous version did not, and which prompted me to upgrade.

Collins Dictionary on CD ROM
This dictionary is excellent.
The problem of not being able to run the software without the CD ROM has been fixed and a download is available from the support site.