Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary with CD-ROM [Paperback]

Cambridge University Press (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521712661 | ISBN-13: 978-0521712668 | Publication Date: August 11, 2008 | Edition: 3

A new edition of the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, which is now more user-friendly than ever. This new edition features hundreds of new words, and 'Word partner' boxes to help you use words in the most natural way. * NEW! 'Extra help' section includes maps, illustrations and photos, and the 'Let's Talk' section focuses on spoken English * NEW! More Learner Error notes taken from the Cambridge Learner Corpus help you avoid common mistakes * NEW! Thesaurus panels help you widen your vocabulary The CD-ROM contains the whole dictionary, with thousands of example sentences; recordings of every word in British and American English; extra collocation information; the unique SMART thesaurus and QUICKfind, a mini pop-up dictionary.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This new edition features hundreds of new words, and 'Word partner' boxes to help you use words in the most natural way. * NEW! 'Extra help' section includes maps, illustrations and photos, and the 'Let's Talk' section focuses on spoken English * NEW! More Learner Error notes taken from the Cambridge Learner Corpus help you avoid common mistakes * NEW! Thesaurus panels help you widen your vocabulary The CD-ROM contains the whole dictionary, with thousands of example sentences; recordings of every word in British and American English; extra collocation information; the unique SMART thesaurus and QUICKfind, a mini pop-up dictionary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1814 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 3 edition (August 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521712661
• ISBN-13: 978-0521712668
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #625,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful reference for the writer and communicator who needs access to British english, July 13, 2009

By 

Susanna Hutcheson "Copywriting for the Discri... (Midwest U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary with CD-ROM (Dictionary & CD Rom) (Hardcover)

First of all, a disclaimer. I love dictionaries. Since I was a little girl, nothing has made me happier than selecting my dictionaries. OK, perhaps I should get a life. Also, I must say that words are my profession and my passion. As a copywriter and writer, I use dictionaries and style books constantly. I must tell you, however, there is a tremendous difference in dictionaries. I spend weeks, even months, selecting the one to buy.

In the case of this particular dictionary, there's no contest! I write a lot for the British market. I have many British clients and must write in British English. I love British English and, to be frank, I think it's more beautiful both spoken and written than our own. But there's far more differences in meaning and spelling and even in the words than one might imagine.

The other day I needed to look up "lorry" to discover it was in fact a truck.

The dictionary gives both the US and the UK meaning and spelling of all the words. It's exceptionally easy to read and use. I use the Palm version and the software more than the book. The software is just great. It's a fast, easy install. The software is easy to use. For example, take the word lorry. If you're American, you simply look up truck and it gives you both the US and the UK terms. It also has an audio that lets you hear the way the word sounds, in either US or UK English.

The software also has a thesaurus, pictures of many things you will look up, a study guide, a place for notes about different words and entries and much more.

I truly love this dictionary. It's probably my favorite (or should I say favourite dictionary.)

If you have need of a dictionary that gives you both the American and the British spellings and definitions, this is the only book you'll need. In fact, if you're a writer who has any reason at all to write in British English, this is a must-have. I know of no other dictionary that's superior to this one.

Highly recommended.

- Susanna K. Hutcheson

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adequate for many but not comprehensive enough for some, May 28, 2010

By 

Boris Ma "All Things Mystical" (Alexandria, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary with CD-ROM (Dictionary & CD Rom) (Hardcover)

I am satisfied with it but it is not as comprehensive as I would like. The other day, I saw the word "dolerite" in a magazine I was reading, but the dictionary didn't have it. "Khmer" is the official language of Cambodia and the dictionary doesn't have it either. I know this kind of dictionaries is not meant to be very comprehensive, so I can't say anything bad about this dictionary. But if you read many technical and other so-called high-level English books, you may want to look for more comprehensive dictionary.
This dictionary also lacks some features other dictionaries have. For example, a Longman dictionary shows if a word is more likely to be used in spoken language than in writing, and if a word is more often used in writing, what word is used instead in spoken language. It also shows slight differences in meaning among similar words with examples. Of course, this dictionary has features other dictionaries do not have, such as mistakes English learners are likely to make when using the word.
Overall, I am satisfied with this dictionary and the CD that comes with it. I will continue to grab this one first whenever I need to look something up.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best choice, May 14, 2009

By 

Josue Rojas Montero (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary with CD-ROM (Paperback)

Easy to undestand, clear explanations, unambiguous divisions of each section (verb, noun, idiom, prhasal verb, etc.) for each word. "Word partner" section and "Common mistakes" and "Tesaurus" boxes are really useful to the English learner, you could learn grammar and improve your vocabulary at the same time using just one book or cd-rom. The CD allow you to practice and listen to English pronuntiation. And the cherry of the cake is the cd-rom's SMART thesaurus, use it to avoid word repetitions and for getting a better English. Without a doubt is a must-have.