Customer Reviews

Chambers Concise Dictionary

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3 star:		(3)
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Don't listen to the other reviewer: Chambers is a superb dictionary. As to the other reviewer: I think it's a bit rich that one person can review the same book twice, especially since both reviews say essentially the same thing (though not quite: apparently, the reviewer was unable to find 'non-sequitur'. In one review, "CJ" seems to imply that perhaps this was because she/he was looking at an older edition; in the other review, "CJ" seems to imply that since the edition was older, he/she would certainly have expected it to be included). However, I have a 1988 edition, and it definitely includes non-sequitur. In any event, since CJ is reviewing a different edition to that advertised (but doesn't do us the courtesy of specifying which edition), the reviews should be ignored. I've used Chambers for years, both professionally (as a journalist and newspapers editor on several continents working with many flavours of 'English') as well as personally at home, and it has never let me down. Clearly, a dictionary is an important aid to spelling; but it is an even more important aid to meanings, and this is where Chambers really excels -- regardless of whether you speak English-English, Australian-English, New Zealand-English, Scottish-English, or any other variety.

Very well laid out. Bold type, and a clear font, headlines each entry. Nice hint-boxes to help you with common mistakes eg lay vs lie. Solid binding; it has held up after 2 years, though I preemptively taped up the inside cover due to my own, very characteristic, mishandling.
I'm kind of disappointed that I have no reason to buy another one!

Some people regard Chamber's as the definitive dictionary for the English language. I can't imagine why!!! OK, so it has a few more technical words in it than some dictionaries but it misses out some frequently used expressions. In fact, even though it is an old edition I have, the Latin phrase "non sequitur" was nowhere to be found. I remember another time I looked for a word and it wasn't in. Today I looked up "Catherine the Great" for a reason that will not interest the reader. Yes, I know you are going to say "It's a dictionary, not a history book". I'm coming to that...bear with me. I also have a Collins dictionary which tells me everything I want to know, the entries are more detailed than Chambers and the Collins is encyclopedic too. In a word, it is superb. You can find "Catherine the Great" if you really want to alond with enormous amounts of other useful information. If you are going to splash out on a dictionary, then I would recommend Collins and not Chambers.

Some people regard the Chambers as the definitive dictionary on the English language. I don't know why. I hear that it contains more technical words than most dictionaries but this is something I cannot verify, not needing any really technical vocabulary. However, over the years I have had need to use a Chambers and I have been disappointed by the lack of certain words that I needed. For example, I could not find "non sequitur" but then again, my edition is older than the one shown. On the other hand, if you thinking of splashing out on a really good dictionary I strongly recommend the Collins. In a word, it is superb. It is jam-packed with encyclopedic information as well as basic word entries which is something you will find immesurably useful, not to mention your children if they are at still at school. The Chambers is OK for general use, but if you want the best, go for Collins.

Some people regard Chamber's as the definitive dictionary for the English language. I can't imagine why!!! OK, so it has a few more technical words in it than some dictionaries but it misses out some frequently used expressions. In fact, even though it is an old edition I have, the Latin phrase "non sequitur" was nowhere to be found. I remember another time I looked for a word and it wasn't in. Today I looked up "Catherine the Great" for a reason that will not interest the reader. Yes, I know you are going to say "It's a dictionary, not a history book". I'm coming to that...bear with me. I also have a Collins dictionary which tells me everything I want to know, the entries are more detailed than Chambers and the Collins is encyclopedic too. In a word, it is superb. You can find "Catherine the Great" if you really want to alond with enormous amounts of other useful information. If you are going to splash out on a dictionary, then I would recommend Collins and not Chambers.