Concise Oxford English Dictionary: Thumb Edition [Hardcover]

Judy Pearsall (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198606362 | ISBN-13: 978-0198606369 | Publication Date: October 18, 2002 | Edition: 10

This reissue of the revised edition of the "Concise Oxford English Dictionary" brings the tenth edition completely up to date by the addition of hundreds of new words and meanings taken from Oxford's data collection programme, with a special focus on fast-changing areas of the language such as new technology, e-commerce, fashion, and youth culture. In addition there is a new 40-page section including information on countries and nationalities, alphabets and accents, weights and measures, and a games and puzzles wordfinder. There is also a new grammar guide and a section covering the language emerging through new technologies such as SMS.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Judy Pearsall is Publishing Manager for English Dictionaries and Thesauruses at OUP.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1728 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 10 edition (October 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198606362
• ISBN-13: 978-0198606369
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,353,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A superb dictionary with one flaw, April 5, 2004

By 

Traveler (New England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Concise Oxford English Dictionary: Thumb Edition (Hardcover)

The "Concise Oxford Dictionary" is arguably the best dictionary in this price range.

The defintions are up-to-date, the text is easy to use with each entry in bold, and the physical size of the book is very easy to use. The number of defintions, well over 200,000, is more than adequate, and the thumb index makes it easy to find what you need.

I've looked at many dictionaries (and I own more than one) and I've found that in least some "current" Webster's versions that certain definitions are almost archaic. You won't have that problem with this book.

If you're looking for a general use dictionary that has as many definitions as possible, but doesn't weight ten pounds, this is about the best choice you'll find. It's almost perfect for both college students and for everyday use.

The only problem with this version is the quality of the paper which is rather thin. I highly recommend this dictionary, but I would be hesitant to give one as a gift to someone who I know is rough with their books. The pages feel as if they could tear quite easily. This is likely one of the reasons that the book is so compact and easy to use. So you have the trade off of compact size versus durability. If this is an issue I would recommend paying a little more for one of the heavier Oxford dictionaries.

69 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best value for the best English dictionary, October 11, 2003

By 

PJ (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concise Oxford English Dictionary: Thumb Edition (Hardcover)

I returned the Oxford English Reference Dictionary, and the Oxford Dictionary of English. Both are excellent reference books selling for the same price. The former has a noteworthy appendices. The latter is the most descriptive English dictionary (without an appendices) behind Oxford's world class 20 volume Dictionary of English.

The Concise Oxford English Dictionary Thumb Index Edition was half the price and weight. This less expensive version contained the words EEPROM, i-Mode, and off-gas. The Oxford Dictionary of English did not have the first two words. The Oxford English Reference Dictionary did not list the three words.

I needed a dictionary that would be no-nonsense, current on common words, and under $45CAN. With Chapter's September 2003 $10 discount coupon for purcases over $30, this was the dictionary to buy. And since I am Canadian residing in Canada, this dictionary contains the British spelling of words used in Canada.

The Random House-Webster English Dictionary rivalled the Oxford Dictionary of English and was the only dictionary sold at Chapter's to have the word lauan. Unfortunately, the Random House-Webster is an American style dictionary which normally would not be used in Canada.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best one volume dictionary around., March 31, 2005

By 

S Peterson "Thais Peterson" (Haslet, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Concise Oxford English Dictionary: Thumb Edition (Hardcover)

I bought this dictionary for all my nieces and nephews this year. It's soooooooooo much better than any junky Webster's Collegiate dictionary. You can actually find the words you don't recognize.