The best English Russian dictionary. How to choose "your" English dictionary

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Azarov, A.A. Russian-English Encyclopedic Dictionary of Arts and Artistic Crafts: In 2 volumes / A.A. Azarov. - M.: Flinta, 2005. - 1616 p.
2. Andreeva, N. English-Russian Russian-English illustrated dictionary for beginners / N. Andreeva. - M.: Eksmo, 2014. - 384 p.
3. Andreeva, O.P. Russian-English phrasebook / O.P. Andreeva. - M.: Eksmo, 2011. - 288 p.
4. Baikov, V.D. English-Russian Russian-English dictionary: 45,000 words and phrases / V.D. Baikov. - M.: Eksmo, 2013. - 624 p.
5. Baikov, V.D. English-Russian, Russian-English Dictionary / V.D. Baikov, D. Hinton. - M.: Eksmo, 2011. - 624 p.
6. Barlow, D. Chinese-Russian-English Dictionary / D. Barlow. - St. Petersburg: Lan, 2003. - 416 p.
7. Baskakova M.A. Explanatory legal dictionary: law and business (Russian-English, English-Russian) / M.A. Baskakova. - M.: Finance and statistics, 2009. - 704 p.
8. Belousova, A.R. Russian-English, English-Russian veterinary dictionary / A.R. Belousova, M.G. Tarshis. - M.: Kolos, 2000. - 239 p.
9. Belyak, T.A. Dictionary of the design of high-rise buildings and hotels. Drawing. Russian-English. English-Russian: About 4000 terms and set phrases in each part / Т.А. Belyak. - M.: R. Valent, 2010. - 184 p.
10. Bernadsky, V.N. English-Russian and Russian-English welding dictionary (basic terms). / V.N. Bernadsky, O.S. Osyka, N.G. Khomenko. - Vologda: Infra-Engineering, 2010. - 384 p.
11. Bocharova, G.V. Russian-English, English-Russian Dictionary / G.V. Bocharova and others - M.: Prospekt, 2014. - 816 p.
12. Bocharova, G.V. Russian-English, English-Russian dictionary. More than 40,000 words. / G.V. Bocharov. - M.: Prospekt, 2012. - 816 p.
13. Bocharova, G.V. Russian-English, English-Russian dictionary. More than 40,000 words. / G.V. Bocharov. - M.: Prospekt, 2013. - 816 p.
14. Brazhnikov, V.N. Russian-English phrase book / V.N. Brazhnikov. - M.: Flinta, 2010. - 40 p.
15. Brazhnikov, V.N. Russian-English Pocket Dictionary of Translator-Practice. Russian-English Interpretender`s Pocket Dictionary / V.N. Brazhnikov. - M.: Flinta, 2013. - 240 p.
16. Brel, N. Russian-English phrasebook for travelers Happy Travel / N. Brel, N. Poslavskaya. - St. Petersburg: Piter, 2013. - 320 p.
17. Varavina, K.V. Universal Russian-English phrasebook / K.V. Varavina. - M.: Eksmo, 2013. - 224 p.
18. Varavina, K.V. Universal Russian-English phrasebook / K.V. Varavina. - M.: Eksmo, 2014. - 224 p.
19. Vasiliev, M.A. English-Russian and Russian-English Dictionary-Reference Book on Life Support and Operational Safety of Habitable Sealed Objects. In 2 t / M.A. Vasiliev, G.P. Shibanov, T.K. Shirokov. - M.: Mashinostroenie, 2005. - 1699 p.
20. Veniaminov, S.S. English-Russian and Russian-English Dictionary of Control of Outer Space and Its Technogenic Clogging / Stanislav S. Veniaminov. English-Russia / S.S. Veniaminov. - M.: Lenand, 2015. - 400 p.
21. Vinokurov, A.M. English-Russian and Russian-English dictionary. 40 thousand words and phrases / A.M. Vinokurov. - M.: Martin, 2012. - 512 p.
22. Vinokurov, A.M. English-Russian and Russian-English dictionary. 40 thousand words and phrases / A.M. Vinokurov. - M.: Martin, 2013. - 512 p.
23. Vinokurov, A.M. English-Russian and Russian-English dictionary. 100 thousand words, phrases and expressions / A.M. Vinokurov. - M.: Martin, 2013. - 1024 p.
24. Volynsky, V.N. Brief Forestry Dictionary (English-Russian, Russian-English) / V.N. Volynsky. - St. Petersburg: Lan, 2006. - 204 p.
25. Vorobyov, V.I. Russian-English and English-Russian phrasebook "People, cars, roads" (publishing house "Radio and Communication") / V.I. Vorobyov. - M.: GLT, 1996. - 222 p.
26. Vorobyov, S.B. Brief Russian-English and English-Russian. dictionary of environmental engineering / S.B. Vorobyov. - M.: Mining book, 2001. - 142 p.
27. Golubeva, L.V. Chinese-Russian-English Dictionary / L.V. Golubeva, G.I. Kasyanov, A.V. Kocherga and others - St. Petersburg: Lan, 2003. - 416 p.
28. Demenkov, V.G. Brief Forestry Dictionary (English-Russian, Russian-English) / V.G. Demenkov, P.V. Demenkov. - St. Petersburg: Author, 2006. - 204 p.
29. Dzikunova, O.Yu. Russian-English phrasebook / O.Yu. Dzikunova. - Rn / D: Phoenix, 2009. - 347 p.
30. Dragunkin, A.N. Russian-English dictionary: More than 16000 words / A.N. Dragunkin. - St. Petersburg: Smart Planet, 2012. - 544 p.
31. Dubrovin, M.I. Big Russian-English Dictionary. / M.I. Dubrovin. - M.: AST-PRESS KNIGA, 2008. - 752 p.
32. Efimov, A.Yu. Russian-English phrasebook / A.Yu. Efimov. - M.: Veche, 2013. - 288 p.
33. Zhdanova, I.F. Russian-English dictionary: finance, taxes, audit / I.F. Zhdanov. - M.: Philomatis, 2003. - 464 p.
34. Zakharova, K.I. Russian-English phrasebook for practical / K.I. Zakharov. - M.: Eksmo, 2013. - 288 p.
35. Zvonkov, V.L. English-Russian / Russian-English pocket hockey dictionary. / V.L. Zvonkov, L.A. Zarakhovich. - M.: Soviet sport, 2010. - 128 p.
36. Zvonkov, V.L. English-Russian/Russian-English pocket hockey dictionary / V.L. Zvonkov, L.A. Zarakhovich. - M.: Man, 2010. - 128 p.
37. Kazantsev, S.V. Russian-English Dictionary of Economics and Mathematics / S.V. Kazantsev. - Magadan: Magadan, 2011. - 232 p.
38. Kalinin, A.G. Russian-English Dictionary of Drilling. English-Russian drilling dictionary. Dictionary / A.G. Kalinin, A.A. Sazonov, M.S. Kenesov. - Vologda: Infra-Engineering, 2010. - 768 p.
39. Karpenko E.V. Russian-English phrase book / E.V. Karpenko. - M.: Eksmo, 2012. - 288 p.
40. Karpenko, E.V. Russian-English phrase book / E.V. Karpenko. - M.: Eksmo, 2013. - 288 p.
41. Karpenko, E.V. Russian-English phrase book / E.V. Karpenko. - M.: Eksmo, 2016. - 288 p.
42. Kimchuk, K.V. English-Russian and Russian-English Dictionary of Gastronomy and Drinks: Compact edition. Over 50,000 terms, combinations, equivalents and meanings. With transcription / K.V. Kimchuk. - M.: Living language, 2011. - 512 p.
43. Kimchuk, K.V. Large English-Russian and Russian-English Business Dictionary: Over 100,000 terms, combinations, equivalents and meanings. With transcription / K.V. Kimchuk. - M.: Living language, 2013. - 512 p.
44. Klubov, S.V. Geoecology: Russian-English conceptual and terminological dictionary / S.V. Clubs. - M.: Scientific world, 2002. - 160 p.
45. Kosmin, V.V. Russian-English railway dictionary / V.V. Kosmin. - Vologda: Infra-Engineering, 2016. - 400 p.
46. ​​Kotiy, G.A. Russian-English dictionary of winged words and expressions / G.A. Kotiy. - M.: Flinta, 2011. - 40 p.
47. Kotova, M.A. English-Russian, Russian-English dictionary of sports terms. / M.A. Kotov. - M.: Soviet sport, 2012. - 232 p.
48. Kravchenko, N.V. English-Russian, Russian-English dictionary of business vocabulary: 30,000 words / N.V. Kravchenko. - Rn / D: Phoenix, 2012. - 383 p.
49. Kravchenko, N.V. Business vocabulary. English-Russian, Russian-English dictionary / N.V. Kravchenko. - M.: Eksmo, 2010. - 672 p.
50. Kudryavtsev, A.Yu. Russian-English phrasebook / A.Yu. Kudryavtsev. - M.: Martin, 2013. - 320 p.
51. Kuzmin, S.S. Interpreter's Russian-English Phraseological Dictionary. / S.S. Kuzmin. - M.: Flinta, 2006. - 776 p.
52. Kuzmin, S.S. Translator's Russian-English Phraseological Dictionary / S.S. Kuzmin. - M.: Flinta, 2006. - 776 p.
53. Kundius, V.A. Terminological dictionary of financial manager: (Russian-English). Reference book / V.A. Kundius. - M.: KnoRus, 2013. - 184 p.
54. Levikov, G.A. Brief explanatory dictionary of logistics, transport and forwarding (Russian-English and English-Russian) / G.A. Levikov. - M.: TransLit, 2012. - 304 p.
55. Levikov, G.A. Brief explanatory dictionary on logistics, transport and forwarding (Russian-English and English-Russian) / G.A. Levikov. - M.: TransLit, 2012. - 304 p.
56. Levikov, G.A. Brief explanatory dictionary on logistics, transport and forwarding. Russian-English and English-Russian / G.A. Levikov. - Vologda: Infra-Engineering, 2012. - 304 p.
57. Lubenskaya, S.I. Large Russian-English Phraseological Dictionary. / S.I. Lubenskaya. - M.: AST-PRESS KNIGA, 2004. - 1056 p.
58. Lysova, Zh.A. English-Russian and Russian-English musical words / Zh.A. Lysova. - St. Petersburg: Lan, 2013. - 288 p.
59. Lysova, Zh.A. English-Russian and Russian-English musical dictionary / Zh.A. Lysova. - St. Petersburg: Planet of Music, 2008. - 288 p.
60. Malyavskaya, G. Russian-English Dictionary of Engineering Terms / G. Malyavskaya et al. - M.: DIA, 2000. - 1222 p.
61. Mamontov, V.G. English-Russian and Russian-English musical dictionary / V.G. Mammoths. - St. Petersburg: Planet of Music, 2008. - 288 p.
62. Mangushev, R.A. Geotechnical terminological Russian-English dictionary / R.A. Mangushev. - M.: ASV, 2007. - 80 p.
63. Mangushina Yu.V. Universal Russian-English phrasebook / Yu.V. Mangushin. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 224 p.
64. Marku, K.B. Modern English-Russian, Russian-English Dictionary / K.B. Mark, ed. under. - M.: Eksmo, 2014. - 768 p.
65. Musikhina, O.N. School English-Russian, Russian-English Dictionary / O.N. Musikhin. - Rn / D: Phoenix, 2013. - 315 p.
66. Muller, V.K. Modern English-Russian and Russian-English Dictionary: 28,000 words (offset) / V.K. Muller. - M.: DOM. XXI century, 2011. - 541 p.
67. Muller, V.K. Big Russian-English Dictionary / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2011. - 640 p.
68. Muller, V.K. New English-Russian, Russian-English Dictionary / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2011. - 880 p.
69. Muller, V.K. Modern English-Russian, Russian-English Dictionary: (newspapers) 120,000 words / V.K. Muller. - M.: DOM. XXI century, 2010. - 957 p.
70. Muller, V.K. Modern English-Russian, Russian-English dictionary: (offset) 120,000 words / V.K. Muller. - M.: DOM. XXI century, 2010. - 957 p.
71. Muller, V.K. Modern English-Russian, Russian-English dictionary: (offset) 120,000 words / V.K. Muller. - M.: DOM. XXI century, 2011. - 957 p.
72. Muller, V.K. Big English-Russian and Russian-English Dictionary / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2011. - 1008 p.
73. Muller, V.K. Large English-Russian and Russian-English dictionary: 200,000 words and expressions / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2012. - 1008 p.
74. Muller, V.K. English-Russian and Russian-English Dictionary / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2010. - 1120 p.
75. Muller, V.K. English-Russian and Russian-English dictionary: 100,000 words and expressions / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2012. - 1120 p.
76. Muller, V.K. Complete English-Russian Russian-English Dictionary. 300,000 words and expressions / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2013. - 1328 p.
77. Muller, V.K. Large Russian-English dictionary. 120,000 words and expressions / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2013. - 640 p.
78. Muller, V.K. School English-Russian Russian-English Dictionary. 55,000 words and expressions / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2015. - 800 p.
79. Muller, V.K. New English-Russian, Russian-English Dictionary. 40,000 words and expressions / V.K. Muller. - M.: Eksmo, 2015. - 880 p.
80. Novodranova, V.F. Explanatory English-Russian and Russian-English dictionary of metaphorical terms of cranio-maxillofacial surgery and dentistry / V.F. Novodranova, S.G. Dudetskaya. - Yerevan: MIA, 2007. - 344 p.
81. Repin, B.I. Russian-English dictionary for dentists / B.I. Repin. - Yerevan: MIA, 2010. - 304 p.
82. Rampton, G. Russian-English phrase book. Orange guide / G. Rampton. - M.: Eksmo, 2015. - 320 p.
83. Rampton, G. Russian-English phrase book / G. Rampton. - M.: Eksmo, 2015. - 208 p.
84. Svetlanin, S.N. Politics. Economy. Law: Russian-English Dictionary / S.N. Svetlanin. - M.: Flinta, 2006. - 384 p.
85. Slepovich, V.S. Handbook of a translator from Russian into English / V.S. Slepovich. - Minsk: TetraSystems, 2008. - 304 p.
86. Stepanov, V.Yu. English-Russian, Russian-English dictionary for elementary school / V.Yu. Stepanov. - Rn / D: Phoenix, 2013. - 251 p.
87. Strong, A.V. English-Russian, Russian-English dictionary with transcription in both parts. 120,000 words and phrases / A.V. Strong. - M.: Adelant, 2012. - 800 p.
88. Sukiasyan, E.R. Russian-English Dictionary of Library and Information Activities / E.R. Sukiasyan, V.V. Zverevich, T.A. Bakhturin. - Vologda: Infra-Engineering, 2013. - 240 p.
89. Sytnikova E.Yu. Russian-English verb nesting dictionary / E.Yu. Sytnikov. - M.: Flinta, 2004. - 400 p.
90. Sheveleva, S.A. Russian-English phrasebook: Educational and practical guide / S.A. Shevelev. - M.: Prospekt, 2015. - 176 p.
91. Sheveleva, S.A. Russian-English phrasebook for business communication: Educational and practical guide / S.A. Shevelev. - M.: Prospekt, 2012. - 208 p.
92. Shpakovsky, V.F. Pocket Russian-English dictionary: 6000 words and phrases / V.F. Shpakovsky. - M.: Tsentrpoligraf, 2012. - 351 p.
93. Shpakovsky, V.F. Popular English-Russian and Russian-English Dictionary: Transcription and transliteration of English words in Russian letters: 12,000 words and phrases / V.F. Shpakovsky. - M.: Tsentrpoligraf, 2013. - 441 p.
94. Shpakovsky, V.F. Russian-English superphrasebook / V.F. Shpakovsky. - M.: Tsentrpoligraf, 2012. - 560 p.

Do you often turn to the help of a dictionary? Every person studying English sooner or later faces the need to find the best reference. Therefore, today we will tell you which online English dictionaries are the best so that you can choose the best option for yourself.

Recall that in the article "" we told what a high-quality reference book should contain and how to choose a dictionary depending on the level of English proficiency and the format of the dictionary. We also recommended using some of the best directories: multitran.ru, macmillandictionary.com and urbandictionary.com. And today we want to offer you some more quality resources. Perhaps you will like one of them.

1.

On this site you will find a set of online English dictionaries.

  • Here you can use both explanatory (English-English) and translation (English-Russian) dictionaries.
  • There is a help page that lists the main abbreviations used on the site.
  • The Cambridge Dictionary gives some of the most commonly used definitions of the word, whether there is an indication, a countable noun or not.
  • Several examples of sentences are given for each word - you will understand in what context it is better to use specific vocabulary.
  • There is a record of the pronunciation of the word in the British and American versions, as well as a transcription for each of these options.
  • Collocations (expressions with this word) are given for each word, so you will understand which words the new vocabulary is combined with.
  • There is a list of idioms containing your word, you can also familiarize yourself with them.
  • A list of synonyms is also provided, as well as words related in meaning, so that you can create your own set of homogeneous vocabulary and study it.

The only negative is that the English-Russian version of the dictionary only assumes a simple translation of the word without explanation, which may be inconvenient for beginners.

2.

This dictionary is interesting because it is not only an explanatory online dictionary of the English language, it also contains simple explanations.

  • You will be given many definitions of the word, each of which will be given several examples of use in context.
  • An interesting feature of this resource is that it has interesting articles about the origin of words.
  • The site has a recording of the pronunciation of the word.
  • Here is a list of vocabulary that rhymes with the word you are interested in.
  • A synonymous series is proposed that will be useful in teaching.
  • You can find translations of phrasal verbs and slang.

Among the minuses, we noticed that the recording of the pronunciation of the word and its transcription are given only in the American version. And it is still quite difficult to find a translation of English idioms.

3.

  • For each word, the most common definitions and dozens of examples of the use of vocabulary in context are given.
  • There is a recording of the American and British pronunciations of each word, as well as a transcription for each of these options.
  • There is an indication whether the word can be counted or not (countable or not).
  • A list of idioms containing the requested word is proposed, each of them is given an explanation and an example of use.
  • Frequently used collocations and vocabulary related to the concept you are interested in are indicated.
  • The resource provides a fairly wide range of synonyms for the word.
  • You can find translations of slang expressions, idioms and phrasal verbs.

4.

  • Several common definitions of the word are given.
  • There is a recording of the pronunciation of the word, as well as a transcription to it.
  • There is a history of the origin of each word.
  • A number of synonyms for the word of interest are given.
  • A list of idioms is proposed that includes the word being studied.
  • A separate block highlights the slang meanings of the word.
  • Wise quotes are given that use the word you are interested in.

Among the negative features of this service, we note the absence of the British pronunciation of the word, only the transcription is given. A rather narrow vocabulary of idioms is also presented.

5.

This online English dictionary offers several versions of the interpretation of the word: more difficult for native speakers and easier for English learners.

  • Several definitions of the word are given.
  • Specifies whether the word is countable or not.
  • There are examples of using vocabulary in context.
  • Translations of the word into several languages ​​(including Russian) are given.
  • There is a recording of the pronunciation in the British and American voiceovers, and a transcription is attached to them.
  • There are interesting statistics on the use of the word over the past 10 years - you will find out how popular it is among native speakers.
  • There is a translation of idioms, slang, phrasal verbs.

The disadvantages we would include the lack of a number of synonyms for each word. Also, there are no idioms associated with the search word, and few examples of the use of vocabulary.

We have presented you the best English explanatory online dictionaries. Look through them all, re-read our article on choosing a dictionary, which we provided a link to at the beginning of the publication, and choose the best option for you. It is best to use 2 dictionaries: one from this list and a translation one, for example, Multitran. So you can get the maximum information about the studied vocabulary.

Knowledge of foreign languages ​​is such a requirement today for an employee. free English proficiency- the road to success and career advancement. But even a person who speaks and uses the language regularly needs an explanatory dictionary. Memorizing dozens of meanings for each English (or other foreign) word is impossible, and not necessary. The technological 21st century has brought us to the rescue online dictionaries containing millions of entries. Do not forget about paper options either. The Internet is not yet available everywhere.

Explanatory dictionaries of the English language online

I recommend using trusted sites that have proven themselves decades ago. It applies to them. This Internet resource offers the user free access. It is designed to help students prepare for exams and contains a database of hundreds of thousands of English words. Advantages: minimalistic interface, 2 transcription options that correspond to the peculiarities of pronunciation in British and American society.

Click on the picture to go to the dictionary

Another useful site Macmillan Dictionary offers a detailed description of English words and their pronunciation recorded by a native speaker. The portal is distinguished by high-speed search and a simple interface that is easy to learn. The interpretation on the site is less detailed than on the Cambridge one. But for some users, this is a plus.

Click on the picture to go to the dictionary

Internet resources are constantly updating, clarifying data and improving site search. There are social media buttons to save favorites or .

Oxford English Dictionary

If you need constant access (regardless of the Internet and location), the Oxford Paper Dictionary is your choice. This is a complete professional edition containing 301,000 articles (350 million characters). It diverges in incredible circulations around the world. The complete edition is cumbersome and contains 20 volumes, but a short version in two volumes has been prepared for the mass consumer. The dictionary includes modern word formations and old forms of words that have gone out of use. It is suitable for writers, professional translators and sophisticated linguists.

Cambridge English Dictionary

The advantage of the Cambridge Explanatory Dictionary is continuous updating and addition of new words and slang of the English language. It comes with a CD with canonical pronunciation and transcription. This book is the brainchild of eminent scientists at the University of Cambridge and is based on the ratings and feedback of millions of users. It is understandable to the reader, regardless of the level of foreign language proficiency. This edition keeps up with the times. The book is compact, so it is suitable for students and service workers.

for sale compact and inexpensive dictionaries that include popular English phrases. They are intended for students and schoolchildren. Linguistics is not limited to obsolete phrases and words. Therefore, they turn to proven dictionaries of the latest editions, or use online portals to find out the meaning of a word in the required context.

If you have English in one form or another in your life, you will definitely need a good dictionary. Now there are dictionaries for every taste and color, how not to get lost in this variety and choose the right one?

Today we will explain which dictionary is suitable for beginners and suggest what should be in your dictionary in order for it to bring you maximum benefit.

You probably know that dictionaries are divided into monolingual (“English-English”) and bilingual (“English-Russian” / “Russian-English”).

Monolingual are explanatory dictionaries in which the meaning of a word is explained in English.

Advantages:

  • the meaning of the word is not distorted by the Russian translation, you can understand the meaning of the original English word.
  • You get the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the English language, preventing the Russian language from interfering with your learning process

Disadvantages:

  • Still, there is a risk that you will not fully understand the meaning of the word and will not find its analogue in Russian, which means that you will not remember
  • This type of dictionary is not suitable for beginners.

Bilingual- "English-Russian / Russian-English" dictionaries, that is, giving a translation into Russian / from Russian.

Advantages:

  • Ideal for beginners
  • An accurate translation into Russian will make it easier to remember a new English word

Disadvantages:

  • You just remember the translation, but you may not fully understand the meaning of the word
  • You are forced to switch to Russian, which can slow down the process of learning and immersion in English a little

For Russian-speaking students from the very beginner level, only a bilingual dictionary is needed. Nevertheless, our native language is too different from English, so we cannot do without a bilingual dictionary.

As you can see, the disadvantages of a monolingual dictionary are essentially the advantages of a bilingual dictionary (and vice versa). That is, ideally, use both. Starting from the Pre-Intermediate level, you can start using a monolingual dictionary in parallel and try to use a bilingual dictionary only when necessary.

So, since Russian-speaking students definitely need a bilingual dictionary, let's separately consider the main criteria for choosing just such a dictionary.

What must be in your English-Russian dictionary:

  1. Word meanings. A good dictionary should offer you more than one meaning for each word, otherwise you may miss important meanings. However, it is not recommended for beginners to use dictionaries that give so many meanings for each word that it becomes difficult to remember even one of them.
  2. Transcription / voice acting of the word. Having the transcription of a word in a paper dictionary and being able to listen to the word in an online dictionary or app will allow you to memorize the word right away with the correct pronunciation. If you use a paper version of the dictionary, then phonetic transcription will help you read the word correctly. Having a British and an American pronunciation in the dictionary is definitely an advantage, because they can differ significantly from each other.
  3. Usage examples. To understand in what context it is appropriate to use a new word, examples of its use will be very helpful. In addition, along with the context of use, it will be much easier for you to remember it.
  4. Indication of the part of speech, single-root words. At the initial stage of your training, it will be very useful to learn how to identify parts of speech, because this is what will help you correctly compose phrases. In addition, in English often the same word can be both a noun and a verb. Therefore, when you see words with the same root, you can immediately find out about it. For example, the verb “study” is to study, the noun “study” is a study.

For non-printed dictionaries, there are also fairly obvious technical criteria, but you can check them already in the process of working with them:

  1. Ease of use. How easily and quickly you can find the right word, is all the information about the word conveniently located, is it easy to read, and so on.
  2. The speed of the computer dictionary. If you have no problems with the Internet speed, but the dictionary takes more than 5-10 seconds to load, this indicates its technical problems. In this case, you should think about changing the dictionary.

Dictionary formats: printed, online, mobile applications.

Printed dictionaries (dictionaries - books)

Nowadays, the use of printed dictionaries is rather rare. They simply do not keep up with the change in the modern language and quickly become obsolete. In addition, good dictionaries with a really large vocabulary of words and expressions are very voluminous, and searching for a word in a printed dictionary is long and inconvenient compared to electronic counterparts.

Nevertheless, if you are a fan of dictionaries-books, we will also give you recommendations on which publications to choose.

Electronic and online dictionaries

These are the dictionaries that are always at hand when you are sitting at the computer.

The most popular dictionary-computer program is ABBYY Lingvo. Such a translator will work on your computer without the Internet, but you will have to pay for its use.

If you do not need to work with the dictionary offline, you can use the numerous online dictionaries that can be opened directly in your browser with an Internet connection.

A definite must-have for all learners and users of English. A very convenient option for quickly reviewing new words, wherever you are. And what is important - the dictionary is downloaded completely on your phone, that is, it works without the Internet.

Have you decided what you like? Then now we will give you recommendations for each type of dictionaries.

Monolingual ("English-English") dictionaries

  • Longman
  • Oxford
  • Collins
  • Cambridge

Dictionaries - online:

Free mobile applications:

Bilingual ("English-Russian", "Russian-English") dictionaries.

“Dictionaries are like watches, the worst is better than none and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.”

Samuel Johnson.

It's no secret that when learning a foreign language, you can't do without a dictionary. The only thing is that not all dictionaries are equally useful ... Today we will analyze the types of dictionaries, tell you how to choose a dictionary in English and which is still better.

1. Dictionaries are divided into monolingual and bilingual. In other words, English-English (intelligent) and English-Russian/Russian-English.

Monolingual dictionary. With the advent of the communicative methodology of teaching foreign languages, the idea of ​​abandoning bilingual dictionaries is being promoted. It is forbidden to use bilingual dictionaries at exams in language universities. However, if the definition of a word is given very briefly and without examples of the use of the word in context, then such a dictionary is of little use.

Advantages of the English-English dictionary:

  • there is no connection with your native language, which means you are immersed in the environment of the English language
  • expand your vocabulary through the words that are used for interpretation, learn synonyms, as well as the differences between them
  • acquire skills in explaining concepts

Disadvantages of the English-English Dictionary:

  • they are difficult to use at the initial levels of English proficiency
  • it is not always possible to understand what this word means after all (especially in dictionaries for learning English from the Longman series)
  • some argue that words are less remembered if you do not draw parallels with Russian.

My favorite monolingual dictionary is

Bilingual dictionary. When using a bilingual dictionary, you should always remember that it was compiled by translators, and they, like all ordinary people, can make mistakes. Therefore, there are also banal translations of the translator’s false friends (words that look like Russian are translated with Russian equivalents, although they mean something completely different - for example, to sympathize - the correct translation is to sympathize, not sympathize).

It has been noticed that those who use bilingual dictionaries often make gross mistakes when they try to translate their thoughts from Russian into English. Translation should be avoided when learning a foreign language. After all, your goal is not to be a translator, but to speak English. The sooner you leave for monolingual learning, the faster you will progress. Therefore, once you have reached the Pre-Intermediate level, use good monolingual dictionaries.

The use of translation when learning a language confuses the student, there is a certain substitution of concepts and instead of asking “What does this mean?” people are interested in how it translates. Knowing a language is understanding without translation. If you use translation, then you constantly force your brain to work in an unnatural mode of switching from language to language. Of course, you get tired and spend a lot of time and energy.

However, it can be difficult to completely abandon bilingual dictionaries.

Of the bilingual dictionaries, I like - and.

2. Format dictionaries can be divided into:

  • paper
  • electronic
  • online dictionaries
  • dictionaries for PDAs and mobile phones.

Paper dictionaries in English. I will say right away that I, a computer soul, do not use them. They frankly make me sad. After all, a good dictionary is one that provides detailed definitions, several examples of use in context, synonyms and antonyms of words, as well as idioms with this word. And from this it follows that it should be very voluminous and heavy, perhaps even in several volumes. Working with a paper dictionary is inconvenient. A lot of time is spent turning pages and finding the right word. You are constantly distracted by other words. But if this does not bother you, then please, purchase and use it, but I will not advise them.

Electronic dictionaries in English. These dictionaries can be real magicians. You enter a word and you instantly get a translation or definition. Well, if there is an opportunity to listen to the pronunciation of the word, see examples of use, etc. In my opinion, it is one of the best electronic bilingual dictionaries.

Online dictionaries in English. Using online dictionaries is convenient for all those who are constantly online. Of the bilingual online dictionaries, it occupies the first place among professional translators.

Online monolingual dictionaries in English:

Dictionaries for PDAs and mobile phones. These dictionaries are convenient because they fit in your pocket with your favorite phone or PDA. They are indispensable when traveling, at exams (not all teachers have learned about them yet =)), and in general everywhere where it would not be inconvenient for you to carry a huge heavy two-volume (or even more) paper dictionary.

3. Who is the dictionary for? For English learners or native speakers. Due to the fact that the authors of monolingual dictionaries for English learners tried to convey the meaning in very simple words, definitions are sometimes so superficial and short that involuntarily one has to resort to bilingual dictionaries. I prefer dictionaries that are written for native speakers, as more detailed definitions are given. And most often, when I meet an unfamiliar word, I simply enter into the Google search: “... (word) definition” and look at several definitions at once in the free online dictionaries that Google offers.

4. Special dictionaries. There are also dictionaries of English slang, idioms, phrasal verbs, collocations, dictionaries of technical and professional terms, dictionaries of proverbs and sayings.

English slang dictionaries:

  • (London rhyming slang)
  • - the most famous slang dictionary

Online English idiom dictionaries:

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