Customer Reviews

The Merriam-Webster Official Scrabble Players Dictionary IllustratedEdition

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One would think that an illustrated Scrabble dictionary would illustrate the obscure words that we struggle to learn. How about a picture of a hoatzin, or an obol? But rather this dictionary has pictures of everyday things that everyone knows. I will say that it is beautifully set. Much nicer looking than the non-illustrated version,
but as a reference it is no better than the other and probably it isn't worth the extra money. The only improvement is that it contains more lists at the end including 3- and 4-letter words, 4-vowel sixes and 5-vowel sevens and eights. Of course, you can get those lists in plenty of places.

We got this book for "the latest and greatest official words." It has those, but there are not that many new ones, as it turns out. Mostly what it has are distracting photos and articles. A better book would have had index marks indented for quick alphabetical look-ups, larger print, and, an uncluttered layout for getting on with the game without delay or eyestrain.

I purchased this dictionary to accompany my silver anniversary edition Scrabble game also recently purchased. I am so impressed with the friendly format, colorful illustrations, and glossary included in this quality hardbound book. My adult daughters, son in law, and myself have renewed our love for the Scrabble game over the holidays. This Scrabble dictionary has been a Godsend to our game!

The Official Scrabble User's Dictionary is disappointing as are the present day scrabble rules. The rules of my older scrabble are definitive in stating no slang, no abbreviations, no proper nouns requiring capitalization, and no foreign words. This dictionary is full of words that violate those rules. How can Indian or Chinese currency not be considered foreign words? Either the rules have been relaxed for the masses or with the intent of creating "new" words every couple of years to sell dictionaries. And how can the Spanish word "si" be acceptable and the German word "ja" (both meaning the same) not be acceptable? It is hard for me to accept a lot of the words in the dictionary as being real. For those who are okay with the evolution of the game, the dictionary is a treasure trove.

I gave this as a gift to a Scrabble-obsessed friend, and she loved it. As other reviewers have noted, the illustrations in it tend to be of commonly-known objects, so they don't offer much value add. However, the enthusiast didn't even notice the illustrations--this may be the case for most of the dictionary's audience since they are in it for the words anyways.

I've only recently gotten serious about Scrabble and started trying to learn some of the weird vocabulary you need to really play well. The dictionary is a must in this regard.

Pros: Large, easily readable typeface and lovely layout, which is very nice when you are looking up a lot of words from a wordlist you are studying.

Cons: It would be nice to know which words are new (since the previous edition) and also to have a list of words that were deleted from the previous edition, too.

Overall, a very nice product for a reasonable price.

It's expurgated -- any word that might offend anyone, for any reason, is deleted. For a complete Scrabble word guide, the Official Word List can be bought from [...] or the National Scrabble Association. But whether you choose the OSPD or the OWL, it's the best way to avoid arguments about whether a word can be used. If it's in the book, it can. If it's not in the book, it can't.

I love this dictionary!! I use it all the time. I enjoy playing scrabble even more now. It has some pictures and lists of useful words in the back. Great buy.

Having used the small paperback dictionary for Scrabble, I found it frustratingly small print to read and its density too difficult to adequately open each page as it is too tightly bound. The larger dictionary has convienient colored tabs for each new letter in the alphabet. Above all, I relish the Appendix where two-3 and 4-letter words can be found.

I have been meaning to update my mom's Scrabble dictionary for YEARS since she constantly challenges me on newer words by saying, "If it isn't in the Scrabble dictionary (meaning her outdated one), it's NOT a word!!" Well, ok then... time to get the latest edition! This version in the bookstore was between [...] more than here on Amazon. And with the free shipping - it's worth it! AND you save a trip to the store.

I personally love the colors, pictures, and little articles. It's good reading again when I'm waiting for my turn to play. :) It also has the updated 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 letter word lists plus lists of words with the "odd" letters (z & q) and lists of words with tons of vowels, etc...

Can't wait to give it to her on Christmas!