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Jane Solomon

The Dictionary of Difficult Words: With more than 400 perplexing words to test your wits! Hardcover – April 30, 2019

by Jane Solomon (Author), Louise Lockhart (Illustrator)

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What is a bumbershoot? Or a moonbow? And what does it mean when someone absquatulates...?

Find out all this and more in the Dictionary of Difficult Words. Test your knowledge with more than 400 words to amaze, confuse and inspire budding wordsmiths (and adults). All of the words featured in this book are difficult to spell, hard to say and their meaning is obscure to most children (and most adults!) Written with simple, easy-to-understand definitions by lexicographer Jane Solomon, this dictionary celebrates the beauty of the English language for family trivia time spent around the printed page.

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From the Publisher

WELCOME, WORDSMITHS!

Words are wonderful!

Without words, we wouldn't be able to share all our ideas with the people around us. That's why we've put together a dictionary that will take you on a journey through some of the most brilliant and surprising words in the English language.

WHAT IS A DICTIONARY?

A dictionary is a collection of words and their meanings. Sometimes dictionaries are books you can hold, like this book, and sometimes they're digital. Dictionaries are written by LEXICOGRAPHERS. Lexicographers study how people use language, and then write down what they learn in dictionaries.

Look out for the clouds around some of our favorite definitions. You can find extra information about the word in a cloud, along with a big illustration, on a nearby page.

Here are just a few ideas on how to read this book:

You can read it straight through from A to Z.
You can read it backwards from Z to A.
You can read one letter of the alphabet at a time.
You can read it out loud with loved ones.
You can read it silently by yourself.
You can look at the pictures and not read the words.
You can read a word out loud and then let someone guess what the definition is.

PARTS OF SPEECH:

A word's part of speech gives you information about how it's used in a sentence. The definitions in this book have one of these three parts of speech:

noun

A noun is a word used to talk about a person, place, thing or idea. Sister, park and love are all nouns.

adjective

An adjective is a word used to describe nouns and to give extra information about someone or something. Big, grey and smart are all adjectives.

verb

A verb is a word used to talk about actions. Jump, learn and look are all verbs.

HOW TO WORK OUT HOW TO SAY A WORD

If you're a big reader, you often learn new words from books. You might know a word's meaning, but when it comes to saying it, you have no idea how to pronounce it. This happens to people of all ages, so you're not alone. Many of the words in this book are hard to say. English rules can be extremely confusing.

For instance, the letter X can sometimes be pronounced like Z, and -ough can be said in many different ways in English, like in the words cough, dough and through. Luckily, there is a handy pronunciation guide underneath each word to help you work out how to say it.

HOW TO WORK OUT WHAT A WORD MEANS

If a word ends with -ology, it's about something you study
If a word ends with -ologist, it's about the people who study that thing
If a word ends in -phile, it's about a person who loves something
If a word has -graph in it, it's often about writing
If a word ends in -ous, it's probably an adjective
If a word ends in -ism, it's probably a noun

BIOLUMINESCENT

Fireflies are bioluminescent and this helps them find and recognize one another. Different types of fireflies flash in different patterns and colors. The flash of a firefly can appear as yellow, white, green or blue.

FUNAMBULIST

There are records of funambulists from ancient times. Famous ancient Roman authors wrote about the funambulist performances they attended. Illustrations from this period show funambulists gracefully walking across tightropes while doing difficult tasks, like playing musical instruments.

REPLICA

An artist might create a replica of a painting they love in order to understand how that work was made. This can help them learn new techniques for their own paintings.

YODEL

Yodelling is very popular in Switzerland, Austria and other areas with a lot of mountains. This style of singing is used to help people communicate with each other. When you're high up on a mountain, you can hear people yodel from far away.

BIOLUMINESCENT

FUNAMBULIST

REPLICA

YODEL

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An appealing celebration of language”

- Publishers Weekly

"One of the most adorable books I've ever seen."

- Mignon Fogarty, Grammar Girl

"Highly recommended"

- Gretchen McCulloch, Twitter

"A perfect addition to any home library"

- Toronto4Kids

"A brilliant way to encourage children to appreciate the beauties of our language and to extend their vocabulary and improve their writing skills. Wonderful!"

- Parents in Touch

“The whole package is artfully colored and styled, with lexical and graphic marvels galore.”

- Stan Carey, Sentence First

From the Author

The Dictionary of Difficult Words is geared toward children aged 7-12, but it's written to appeal to adults as well. As the cover suggests, it's a highly illustrated dictionary with only difficult words in it. This book welcomes all readers, even those who would never sit down and read a traditional dictionary cover to cover.

In addition to the definitions, each letter of the alphabet has a featured word that is explored in depth and accompanied with a bright full-page illustration by Louise Lockhart. These 26 pages are like an ABC book within the Dictionary of Difficult Words.

About the Author

Jane Solomon is a lexicographer based in Oakland, California. She spends her days writing definitions and working on various projects for Dictionary.com. She's a member of the Unicode Emoji Subcommittee, the group that decides what new emoji pop up on our devices. Jane has a twin sister who is also a lexicographer.

Louise Lockhart is an illustrator living in an old mill in a small town in England. She spends her days creating designs from little paper cut outs and line drawings, dreaming up worlds where men still wear suits and hats. As well as working as a freelance illustrator, Louise also applies her illustrations to products for the home, which she sells in her online shop The Printed Peanut. Her clients include: Heal's, Mini Boden, Flow Magazine, Anthropologie, Chronicle Books, The Independent, Anorak Magazine, Mollie Makes Magazine, Macmillan Publishers, Pavillion Books, Donna Wilson, Graniph, Design For Today, Cicada Books, Compendium Inc., Little Otsu, Hallmark Cards, M&S and Liberty.

Age Range: 7 and up
Grade Level: 2 and up
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books; New edition (April 30, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1786038110
ISBN-13: 978-1786038111
Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 0.7 x 12.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 44 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Children's Dictionaries (Books)
- #189 in Dictionaries & Thesauruses (Books)
- #51 in Children's Word Games Books (Books)

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Customer reviews

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4 star		5%
3 star		2%
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K. Easton

Having a ton of fun with this book!

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

My daughter (8) and I read one letter per night. We use the words to inspire story telling and conversation. I love the final entry for each letter that highlights one of the words. It might be a bit too heavy on "phobias" and obscure words that can't really be added to one's vocabulary, but it's still a must-get in my book. (BTW, I bought this after hearing an interview with the author on the Grammar Girl podcast.)

7 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

This book is sick awesome

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

It's got big words. It's got little words. It's got funny words. It's got science words. It's got hilarious pictures. It's huge. It's colorful. It's undergone thorough testing on children, and they love it. Cats love it too. This book is wild sweet. Anyone who is a child or an adult will expand their command of the English language with this book.

8 people found this helpful

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John D

Fun and informative for kids and adults alike

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

The Dictionary of Difficult Words is such a gorgeous book. The illustrations are fantastic and the cover has a great texture with embossed letters. While the words may be difficult or rare, even to a thirty-something college-educated person, the definitions are super accessible and kids would have no problem picking them up. I love hunting for all the cats hidden (or not so hidden) throughout the book and finding new words to call my own cat (Pulchritudinous).

6 people found this helpful

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Judy R. David

Poor Grammar

Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I thought the idea of these different words was really interesting and was looking forward to giving it to my grandchildren. However, I am appalled at the bad grammar and the excuse at the end of the book, that it is ok to use they a plural pronoun with a singular subject -someone. After all they has been used that was for 700 years. Pitiful. It could have all been changed in more than one way.

2 people found this helpful

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monica

A brilliant way to learn fun words!

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

What a fun book! It’s filled with tons of interesting words you may or may not have heard of, so if words are your thing, you’re going to love it! The illustrations are charming with a delightful attention to detail. Can’t wait to get into my “snuggery” and read all about “clowders” and “turophiles”!

4 people found this helpful

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Ana L. Dziengel

Giggles and learning- does it get any better?

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

We got this book for Christmas and my 6 year old and I are LOVING it! We have so much fun giggling at the funny words featured in the in the book like spaghettification and flibbertigibbet as well as learning learning new words for common things like sternutation! It's been a great addition to our library and a wonderful book to get kids interested in language. This would be a great book to use in the classroom too!

One person found this helpful

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Susan

Just a delight!

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Love the “difficult words,” and the format of the book. It is just as lovely to read from start to finish as it is to simply open to any page and read. Great illustrations to accompany the definitions. Have played numerous word games and thought of new words we might add. Lovely, lovely book.
My grandchildren are 10 and 6 and I have given it as a present to other children between those ages.

One person found this helpful

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KAV

Highly recommended for kids and adults

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This is an absolutely delightful book. Our kids, 7 and 11, loved it at first sight and were still working some of the words into their own conversations hours after they put the book down. The definitions are clear and meant to be read aloud. Perfect timing with the Scripps National Spelling Bee coming up! Highly recommended.

3 people found this helpful

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Anna

Beautiful book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

I bought the book for myself because I am not a native speaker and struggle to learn new difficult words 'from a list'. The book brought back the joy of learning that I remember from my childhood.

2 people found this helpful

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Helen

Lovely book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

I bought this for my 11yr old who loved it. She loved sounding out the words and reading out the definitions. Beautifully illustrated too. A lovely book.

2 people found this helpful

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Carys

Never stop learning new stuff

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2019

Verified Purchase

A really fun book for my kids, 11 and 7. The big one has found interesting words to include (correctly) in his literacy work, and the little one lovesfinding new words that sound a bit cheeky or rude. Win - win!

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Excellent book for young and old

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2019

Verified Purchase

Great book! Bought it for my 5 year old who loves it. As an adult I’m enjoying it too.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Beautiful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

Fantastic quality, illustrations and content. Bought for my 5-year-old niece but it's great for adults too... it has certainly taught me a few new words.

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MrsAmazon

Lovely book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

Bought for 9 year old . But it came and wanted to keep it myself. Beautiful book. He loved it and likes dipping in to it

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jane thomas

A book with a difference

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2020

Verified Purchase

If you want a book with a difference, then this is the one. Excellent from page one.

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completely wonderful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

As wonderful as I had hoped. Perhaps more.

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Ness

Great for school x

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2020

Verified Purchase

Brilliant book!

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Phuong Nhi Trinh (Katherine King)

The most wonderful book

Reviewed in Canada on August 15, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This is the first time that i have finally found a book which i really enjoy and love. It is so big that it brings me back to my childhood when i was trying yo learn words, and then it is so colourful that it makes me feel like i cant really leave my eyes out of it. I love this book so much.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Great hit with my kids

Reviewed in India on October 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Love this book. It has such a nice, fun collection of words. The kids love it.

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Vanshi

Must buy !!

Reviewed in India on June 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book is worth buying if you want to teach your kid a good vocabulary

One person found this helpful

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corrieannder

Fun, beautiful and interesting!

Reviewed in Canada on November 22, 2019

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Great gift idea for word nerds and those who appreciate fun pictures!

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Amazon Customer

Best

Reviewed in India on October 29, 2019

Verified Purchase

Nice

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ｂａｎｇｋｏｋ

子供に英語を学ばせている親が手に取ってもチンプンカンプンな名著。

Reviewed in Japan on February 9, 2020

Verified Purchase

お子様英語教室に通って、ハローとかキャット、はたまたハワユーとかいって喜んでいる子供、特にその親はこういう本を子供に買い与えるべきだな。多分、英文科出の学生でも10にひとつもわかないだろう。英語を母国とする子供たちのための「難しい」言葉400語。見て読んで楽しく例文も美しく、実に「教養」あふれる絵本だ。

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The Dictionary of Difficult Words: With more than 400 perplexing words to test your wits! Hardcover – April 30, 2019

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From the Publisher

WELCOME, WORDSMITHS!

Words are wonderful!

WHAT IS A DICTIONARY?

Here are just a few ideas on how to read this book:

PARTS OF SPEECH:

A word's part of speech gives you information about how it's used in a sentence. The definitions in this book have one of these three parts of speech:

HOW TO WORK OUT HOW TO SAY A WORD

HOW TO WORK OUT WHAT A WORD MEANS

BIOLUMINESCENT

FUNAMBULIST

REPLICA

YODEL

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the Author

About the Author

Product details

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Top international reviews

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Buy Used $10.26

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Follow the Author

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The Dictionary of Difficult Words: With more than 400 perplexing words to test your wits! Hardcover – April 30, 2019

Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

From the Publisher

WELCOME, WORDSMITHS!

Words are wonderful!

WHAT IS A DICTIONARY?

Here are just a few ideas on how to read this book:

PARTS OF SPEECH:

A word's part of speech gives you information about how it's used in a sentence. The definitions in this book have one of these three parts of speech:

HOW TO WORK OUT HOW TO SAY A WORD

HOW TO WORK OUT WHAT A WORD MEANS

BIOLUMINESCENT

FUNAMBULIST

REPLICA

YODEL

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the Author

About the Author

Product details

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Customer images

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

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