Customer Reviews

Merriam-Webster's Rhyming Dictionary

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I write sonnets, villanelles and song lyrics and, before I bought this book, I thought somehow that it was cheating to use rhymes that didn't come out of my own head. Well, phooey to that! Yes, I still do make a list of rhyming words first, but then I turn to this dictionary and - wow - the possiblities just open up!

Some of the reviewers caution that you have to read the instructions/introductions first in order to figure out how this book works. Well, I plunged right in; as a matter of fact, when I later read the "how to's," their terminology confused and intimidated me. Just open it up and start messing around. That's what art is all about, anyhow.

I love how the sections of rhyming words are arranged so that the one-syllable words come first, followed by the longer words. Many of the words were entirely unfamiliar to me and I was glad to have a regular ol' dictionary by my side. (I don't plan on using many of those arcane words, but those of us who love language always get a kick out a new word, eh?)

Some reviewers noted that some words are missing. But please don't get your knickers in a knot over that; there are more than enough rhyming words in here to get you past the jump-start phase. And if you, as I do, generate your own word list beforehand, you will catch anything that's missing (or you will continue on with your life in blissful ignorance). Any reference volume is fallible; I say if you see something missing, please write the publisher so the oversight can be corrected.

In short, a fun, fat and inspiring book. I am glad I decided to "cheat"!

Not sure what the other reviewers are talking about re the supposed difficulty of using this book. I find it simplicity itself. You start with the sound you want to rhyme against, starting with a vowel. For example, if the word you want to rhyme against is "brave," you go to the A's and find "ave," and there's your list. I have never read the book's instructions, and never needed them.

Also, this is not just for people writing jingles and doggerel. Some real poets still rhyme, at least some of the time, old friends of mine.

I've long searched for a book for which I could have any rhyme possible at my fingertips. I'd searched long and hard for a rhyme dictionary that could meet my needs as an emcee.(Rapper) I've seen many before, which boast mostly about how many entries they each had. Claims have been made by some of the other rhyming dictionaries on my book shelf. Some claimed to be more comprehensive, more thorough, offer extra sections, and what have you; But the most useful among these dictionaries has been this beauty, the Merriam Webster Rhyming Dictionary. Why, do you ask? 3 words, fellow MC's, 3 words: EASE OF USE. Some of the other books spell words in their entries by how they sound. But this book arranges them phonetically, and as a plus you don't have to search through mono- and poly-syllabbic rhymes as seperate entries. What's that mean? This means that if you search under A, E, I, O, U, you'll find some simple & tight rhymes. As an example, if you look for a word under "ag", you'll find that it starts from all the words arranged from there monosyllabic forms, (ex. bag, rag, jag, sag,) followed by the bisyllabic rhymes, (ex. dirtbag, dishrag,)and so on my scallywags. It cuts through all the b.s., and goes straight to what you need, no fuss, no muss. One key feature is the cross referencing. If you can't find a word you're looking for, there are a lot of "See also, words that end in ocks, ox or some words that end with..." at the end of a lot of entries. Just many of the ways this book proves itself. If you write rhymes for the purpose of producing rap music, Then I'll tell ya, Mic Men. This is the ultimate book for you. Whether your just startin' out, or you're are already seriously packing skills, this is the book you can't possibly be with out. It is as this MC describes as "the one reference tool, that is indisputably, irrefutably, quite dutifully the best there is." Trust me. This book stings like a bee, n' floats like a butterfly!

I bought this compact handy little reference because I needed a rhyming dictionary. The price was right (inexpensive).

Note that the words are drawn from Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition. It is crucial to use this book along with a standard dictionary.

It is absolutely essential to read the preface to the book to understand how to use it and see if it is easy to use for a potential buyer of this book.

This book has been useful to me but I have two issues with it: rhyming words are listed according to most common end-of-word spelling but also according to how it is pronounced (so, therefore, people in different parts of the country may say the same word differently). A word may rhyme with another word if you come from New York perhaps but not if you're from Texas, let's say. There are references after rhyming word lists to see other lists where a word may have more than one standard pronunciation and these variants often produce alternate rhyming sounds.

Some words may appear on more than one list and not every word on a list will rhyme for every person (as the preface indicates).

Also, it's useful as a potential user of this book to be famiiar with diacritical marks (those marks that indicate how to say the word (- for example, long or short vowel sound).

If you are unfamiliar with diacritical marks or need a refresher, or you are uncomfortable with lots of cross-references, you may find this book a bit cumbersome to use at first until you get the hang of the layout.

All of the words are gathered and arranged by their rhyming sounds.

The main entries are arranged according to the way the rhyming sound is most commonly spelled represented by bold type face at the beginning of the main entries.

Alternate spellings of the rhyming sounds are cross-referenced and the reference directs the user to the appropriate main entry.

The entries for a rhyming sound are arranged alphabetically in a single sequence whether a main or alternate spelling, one-,two- or three-syllable word.

A certain amount of linguistic knowledge is useful to enable the user to easily make use of the book - such as inflected and uninflected word forms, derived forms, and parts of speech.

Not every word is included. Sometimes there are references to speech parts such as "present participles of words...". In such a case, it helps to know what a "present participle" is, for example.

... The Merriam-Webster's Rhyming Dictionary is a book that belongs in everyone's bookcase. Doesn't everyone write a little doggerel now and then-for over-the-hill birthdays or graduation? How about teaching our youngsters the vagaries of spelling? If you don't agree with the above generalizations, then you can skip the rest of this review.
If you do, know that this is the definitive reference for rhyming. A word of advice, though. It is not easy to use. They say even a dictionary is difficult if you don't already know the rudiments of spelling. This one is trickier. When you buy a bike, you should "read the instructions before assembly." It is more important to read the preface of this dictionary before you try to use it.
I'd love it if there were an easier approach to finding a good rhyming word. I can't think of one. The advantage to doing it the way it is done in this small reference is that, if you want a rhyme that isn't kitschy or too pat, it will be easy to find near the word's precise rhyme. The way it is set up, similar sounding words are grouped near the perfectly-matched rhymes.
Most poets already know the secrets of this book. It won't be long before the rest of us-including new poets like me--will get the hang of such literary jargon as "main entries," "cross-referenced entries," "identification numbers," and "inflected and derived forms." It's a little like doing a crossword puzzle. I'm beginning to love this. ...

This rhyming dictionary is exactly what I needed when looking for that perfect word in a poem. Of course, what else would we expect from Merriam-Webster's? They've helped me be a writer for years! The proof is here - http://www.winebird.com/

Over the last several years I have purchased many rhyming dictionaries looking for the one I like the most. This is one of the first books I tried. This particular book is somewhat generic in nature and is plain. It seems that some words are left out. This book would be good for a required book in a college class. It gives you basics plus it is affordable. But if you want something comprehensive, plus full of information on rhyming, there are better books out there.

First of all, this is a FABULOUS rhyming dictionary! I'm only 25 pages into it and already I've learned a great deal. For instance, did you know that abbey, Abby, blabby, cabbie, crabby, flabby, gabby, grabby, scabby, shabby, tabby, kohlrabi, Panjabi, and Punjabi all rhyme with "abby?" Ok, maybe you knew two or three of those but how many of us would have actually thought-up "kohlrabi?" How great is this book! I must admit, however, that I am a little chagrin because although this is a superior dictionary, they still have not found a proper rhyme for the word "orange." Ah well, this is still hours of fun and laughs!

Fair thee well!
JPM

I've been surprised again and again by how many common rhyming words are carelessly omitted from the lists in this book. It's cheap but still not worth the money.

I find this one is basic and limited. You can only find rhymes based on sounds. A good rhyming dictionary should cross-reference both sound and spelling.
I couldn't easily find a rhyme for the word "exit".

I would recommend the Penguin or the fully executed Oxford. The Penguin is a good one for a backpack or travel or carrying a lot. The Oxford is excellent as a stationary at home or at work because it is hard cover.