Customer Reviews

Webster's New World French Dictionary: French/English English/French

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I teach French I, II, III, and IV. I highly recommend this dictionary as the primary dictionary for all of my students, and require it as basic equipment after the 2nd year. Even though I have a number of French dictionaries on the shelf, this one is the first I reach for. The entries are extremely well organized and clearly notated. They give comprehensive coverage of all usages of the word, shades of meaning, and a wide variety of idiomatic expressions. The print is easy to read, the pages and the binding, sturdy. This is not a pocket dictionary by any means, but I can't think of a better way to spend $10.00 if you are looking for a dictionary that will give your students a solid foundation in the skills needed to explore and enjoy the linguistic mysteries of a new language.

This dictionary is derived from a Robert-Collins dictionary. I found its layout/print to be somewhat crowded, and in a cursory usage I found missing words and meanings listed not in the logical order of their roots. Examples: The word "ondoyer" was missing, although "onde" was not, I could not find the word "tire-bouton", and the meaning of "s'abīmer" (to become spoiled or damaged) was cited before the meaning "to plunge to the depths", derived from the noun "abīme" (abyss, gulf or chasm ). I have used many French-English dictionaries. I find this one quite average. The older (1989 edition) and smaller dictionary by Steiner seems to be a better value despite its lesser comprehensiveness, and the larger but still compact Larousse Standard Dictionary (1994) seems far superior in layout and content. Perhaps the publishers believe that this dictionary could find an intermediate niche between the two former dictionaries. I emphasize that these faults were found in a brief examination, but it is a bad sign that out of the very few words looked up, a large fraction (about 30%!) were not satisfactorily defined or organized as to meaning.

This dictionary offers a comprehensive look into the language like no other of the same price. Not only is the dictionary complete as far as vocabulary goes, but it also offers a multitude of meanings and phrases using the particular word. Beyond that it is complete with full grammatical references of the word AND the standard phonetic spelling (a feature I find particularly useful).

This is one of the best concise French-English / English-French dictionaries available. It is small enough to be portable while large enough to be complete. The dictionary lacks a fair bit of culinary and other specialty vocabulary, but I don't expect such minutiae from a dictionary this size. Entries are easy to read, and phrases are not difficult to find. The Webster's New World is my primary foreign language dictionary, and I am rarely disappointed by it.

Although, I am always looking for a better dictionary, I have been very pleased with this one. It rates better than the larousse, which is also a good dictionary. The other dictionaries should not even be consulted...I think the french department at OSU recommends this one. It does matter what dictionary you are using. What I like about this one is that it seems to be equally french and english rather than just an english perspective on French. Therefore it is easier to translate back and forth rather than in just one direction, presumably French to English.

Excellent dictionary. Includes international phonetic alphabet (IPA) transcriptions as well.

Book shipped fast and not worth spending $ on new dictonary that will spend most of its time at the bottom of my son's locker. Plus good for the earth not to print another.... Thank you.