The Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus [Hardcover]

Christine Lindberg (Compiler)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195170768 | ISBN-13: 978-0195170764 | Publication Date: October 21, 2004 | Edition: 1

This brand new thesaurus from Oxford, the most trusted name in reference, is the first to be developed by writers, for writers.

In addition to the more than 300,000 synonyms and 10,000 antonyms found in the thesaurus, each of our distinguished editorial board members (including David Auburn, Michael Dirda, David Lehman, Stephin Merritt, Francine Prose, Zadie Smith, Jean Strouse, David Foster Wallace, and Simon Winchester) has contributed frank, funny, thoughtful, and, most of all, word-wise mini-essays on words that they particularly love, hate, admire, or are just plain puzzled by.

Even more helpful for writers in search of the perfect word, this new thesaurus contains nearly two hundred word banks, collections of nouns to add exact detail to your writing. (Was it just bread, or was it chapatti, rye, dal, or pita?) Brand-new word spectrums show where your word falls in a line between two polar opposites (passable is three-quarters of the way from beautiful to ugly).

Other features include quick guides to easily confused words; helpful, real-world usage guidance to tricky sticking points of grammar and word choice; and careful, expert distinctions among awkward synonyms.
All Oxford American dictionaries use an easy-to-use respelling system to show how entries are pronounced. It uses simple, familiar markings to represent common American English sounds.
The Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus will unlock the power of language and is certain to be the thesaurus that stays on the desk--and stays open.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 8 Up–This very readable reference will help writers find the most precise word for their needs. Word entries include synonyms and antonyms, sample sentences, parts of speech, phrases, and cross-references–all labeled and easily distinguishable by bold, capitalized, or italicized font. A variety of editors have contributed "word notes," for meaning and usage, such as distinguishing between "ethical" and "moral" and "virtuous" and "honorable," or when to use "who" and "whom." These mini-essays are conversational in tone and provide nuances that writers will appreciate when struggling to put a word into the proper context. "Word spectrums" is a unique feature that starts with a word such as "frank," then offers a list of terms leading by progression to its polar opposite, in this case, "evasive." A number of inset boxes list specific words for types of dances, coffees, leathers, fish, and more. The back of the thesaurus contains a lengthy "Language Guide," consisting of grammar and punctuation rules, lists of commonly misspelled words, clichés to avoid, and redundant expressions. A dozen "Writing Prompts" include questions with universal appeal, such as "What's the best breakfast you've ever had?" and "Who was the first person you ever hated? loved?" Current, thoughtful, and attractively formatted, this is an indispensable tool for writers.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Any thesaurus inherently celebrates words' subtleties and shades of meaning. This new thesaurus does the same, offering more than 30,000 synonyms and 10,000 antonyms, but it also celebrates good writing. It sets that tone with Richard Goodman's spirited introductory essay, "In Search of the Exact Word," a meditation on the anguish of a writer's quest for the one word that has an effect no other can have and on the exhilaration of finding and using that word. Those themes replay in delightful variety in the "Word Notes" scattered throughout the volume and addressing 240 words including adumbrate, clothes horse, effete, lurid, and pulvinate. These brief notes, often amusing, have been written by people whose living depends upon their ability to find the right word, among them Zadie Smith, David Foster Wallace, and Simon Winchester. "Word Banks" for categories such as bears, beers, dances, fabrics, insects, and teas list specifics within each type. Another special feature, "Word Spectrums" are "chains of near-synonyms intended to show the shades of meaning available from a word to its opposite." Under fat, for example, one travels the spectrum of meanings from fat and obese through shapely and well-proportioned on to cadaverous and thin.

Each word note, bank, and spectrum is a lagniappe beyond the utilitarian thesaurus proper. The volume's expected purpose is carried out through the typical usage notes, notes differentiating easily confused words, illustrations of words through use in sample sentences, notation of parts of speech, and differentiation among senses of a word. It sets itself apart from competitors by offering more synonyms than the Cambridge Thesaurus of American English (1994) and by offering more context for meanings than the Oxford American Thesaurus of Current English (1999).

Those who seek the right word in a thesaurus will do well to start here. Even if they don't find that elusive mot juste, they will be able to enjoy the vignettes by writers who seem to find words effortlessly. James Rettig
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1128 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (October 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195170768
• ISBN-13: 978-0195170764
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Thesauruses

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

128 of 133 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thesaurus with flair, August 15, 2005

By 

Jillie (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus (Hardcover)

I like this thesaurus. I've recently returned to school after a long absence, and I quickly realized that I needed more than my trusty Webster's and the thesaurus from my computer word program. The American Writer's Thesaurus does what any standard thesaurus can do, but it has style and panache. Since I was unable to see the book before I purchased it, I relied on the reviews for guidance. Some of the commentary left me with the impression that I would be wading through essays before I found what I wanted. But I took a chance and I'm glad I did.

The essays are mere paragraphs interspersed throughout the book on an as needed basis and serve to expand the usage of a word. It's in alphabet format and contains several features such as The Right Word, Word Spectrums and Word Banks. These features are lists of words or short paragraphs that elaborate on commonly misused words. One last handy reference is the Understanding Grammar section at the back of the book. This is a super little primer or memory jogger for the rules of English.

As the author points out, a thesaurus does not replace a dictionary. But this book does make it easier to understand the connation of a word. I think that if you are looking to expand your word usage, this book is an excellent reference book that's interesting and not staid. I purchased it along with S.I. Hayakawa's "Choose the Right Word." Hayakawa's book is a fabulously helpful, interesting and easy to read reference that offers an in depth description of the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, differences between synonym choices. With considerably more depth, but fewer entries, it is an excellent companion to "The American Writer's Thesaurus."

If you're looking to replace your worn out thesaurus, or to include an alphabet style reference, or you'd just like to add some interest to your reference book collection, this thesaurus would be an excellent pick. Preference is an individual choice and not every reference book is right for every person, but this book is perfect for me. Are you sending a child to college? Please consider Christine A. Lindberg's "American Writer's Thesaurus", S.I. Hayakawa's "Choose the Right Word," and a good dictionary as necessary tools for success.

151 of 163 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Concept, More Complete than Most, October 19, 2004

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus (Hardcover)

Gustave Flaubert said, "All talent for writing consists after all of nothing more than choosing words." And how can that be wrong. Even as I write this review, I am only choosing words. But to say exactly what I mean is sometimes difficult. I want to say something, I know there is a word that expresses exactly what I want to say, but I can't think of it. Hence a thesaurus.

This new thesaurus carries things a lot further. Rather than just providing a list of alternative words, here are real-life example sentences, explicit distinctions for the most commonly used synonyms and many additional features. As an example, here is the entry for the word dramatize:


dramatize verb 1. the novel was dramatized TURN INTO A PLAY/MOVIE/MOTION PICTURE/FILM, adapt for the stage/screen.

2. the tabloids dramatized the event EXAGGERATE, overdo, overstate, hyperbolize, magnify, amplify, inflate; sensationalize, embroider, color, aggrandize, embellish, elaborate; informal blow up (out of all proportion).

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new and thought-provoking tool for writers, December 28, 2004

By 

Anna Twelve (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus (Hardcover)

I was given this as a gift and it was the best present I've received in years. The combination of essays and synonyms makes you want to rummage through the pages. The more words you run across the richer and more expressive your writing will be, and this thesaurus really introduces you to a glorious many.

I really like the personal tone of the writers' essays -- it takes what could be a forbidding, boring reference book and makes it like taking a class with these writers. (Where is it written that reference books have to be overserious killjoys to be authoritative? This one manages to be both readable and responsible.)

If you are still using a skimpy paperback thesaurus, upgrade! You'll be glad you did.