Do you use a dictionary?
By getbiswa2000
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
India
March 24, 2010 11:57pm CST
Hello dear friends,
There is a very popular belief that only the most serious writers consults dictionaries. We often confine ourselves in superstitions that being casual writers we don't need that much lexical skills, and thus we can surely do away with those intimidating dictionaries. Strangely enough, I find it amusing to study dictionaries. I need them when I want to learn different meanings of a single word, the nuances. I try to learn pronunciation from the phonetics given there. I also read dictionary as if it is a good fiction. I use Webster's dictionary for American English and also a pocket Oxford.
Do you use dictionaries? Do you love them, or do you think its better to abandon them as soon as the high school days are over?
Please feel free to mention the merits and demerits of being addicted to dictionaries. Have you ever been obsessive about them?
Thanks in advance for your participation.
God bless you all
5 people like this
27 responses
@sagnik42 (3592)
• India
25 Mar 10
I have always used dictionaries. They come in very handy when I need to find a word. When I am reading or writing offline I consult an actual dictionary.
On the other hand when I am online and need to know a word I search for it online. But dictionary is a must for me. I can never do away with it. It helps us to know more and express ourselves better. There is nothing about dictionaries that say they are for serious writers only.
I have never been obsessive about them. But I use them when I need them.
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hello Sagnik,
I am so glad to know that you have this healthy habit of consulting on dictionaries. Online dictionaries are quite helpful as well. They are helpful especially when you are reading an Ebook. I download classic literature from internet and I often need to consult dictionaries to read them. For this, I have installed Cambridge Advanced Learners' Dictionary in my PC. The advantage of these dictionaries is that you don't have to remember the phonetics to learn the pronunciation, let alone the ease of searching words. Thanks for your valued contribution in this discussion.
God bless you
@EliteJordan23 (1)
• United States
25 Mar 10
I love to use dictionaries for the reason that they help you with what you are doing, and they will increase your list of vocabulary.
After school, I still believe dictionaries are necessary because like I said, they are very useful, and there is no sense in stopping.
I mainly use online dictionaries, however. I am NOT obsessive with dictionaries.
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
26 Mar 10
Hi Jordan,
I too believe that the use of dictionaries shouldn't be limited to schools. There are really helpful for sincere learners. Welcome to myLot.
Thanks for the response
God bless you
@tess_quinain (1149)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
Yes, i usually use dictionary when i needed it especially reading comments and there are some words that i don't understand. I also use the site "dictionary.com" to find difficult words. I have a handy dictionary but I also don't use it very often, only when i really need it. I cannot memorize a lot of difficult words so i really need to have a dictionary with me.
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hi,
I personally don't look for words in dictionary.com. As a matter of fact, I just learned about that site for the first time from this discussion. The difficult words are best memorized by using them in your own compositions. Just like the experiments done in laboratory gets fulfilled when implemented in real life. Thanks so much for your invaluable participation in this discussion.
God bless you
@dracularoc5 (1)
• India
25 Mar 10
I also have a dictionary with me not for he reason that i cant memorize the words but to understand words better and to know the meanings of those.
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Oh Please don't worry about the typos dear. Oxford dictionary is wonderful. World's most efficient lexicographers labored for years to make that Oxford Concise Dictionary. Of course that one is used frequently by authors. I am satisfied with the Advanced Learners' version of it. Reading literature would be a dreary task without the help of those dictionaries. Thanks for sharing your views with us.
God bless you
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
26 Mar 10
I used to use it a lot of times but now I do not find it necessary as I could get by with the materials I read. However, when I feel I need it, then I readily open it. What I dislike about most dictionaries are the fine prints. They make my eyes sick.
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
26 Mar 10
Hi Cutie,
Yeah, they indeed strain your eyes. There is one advantage that these software dictionaries have. You can set the font size to a comfortable level. Also there is an in-built search mechanism. The word will be found once you type the whole or part of it in the search bar. I have installed Cambridge Advanced Learners' Dictionary in my system. Its really helpful. Thanks for participating in this thread.
God bless you
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
26 Mar 10
Hello,
For our everyday affairs we hardly need dictionaries. The need arises when you go beyond your daily schedule and start taking books as your major form of entertainment. It is also needed to effectively express your thoughts. With right kinda vocabulary you can convince a certain person, but without knowing the proper meaning one can surely offend the reader quite unintentionally. All this can be avoided by growing a habit of following dictionary whenever there is a confusion in meaning or usage. Thanks so much for your response.
God bless you
@jea_pinka08 (131)
• Philippines
26 Mar 10
I definitely love reading dictionary especially when there's SPELLING BEE in our school.I started joining spelling bees when I'm grade 3. Now I'm turning 3rd year high school this S.Y. I prefer to students that always read dictionary so when there's spelling bee in your school. you will win!
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
26 Mar 10
Hello Jea,
You are in 3rd Year high school? Great. I have heard about Spelling Bee. What dictionary have your school asked you to follow? Dictionary is a great tool to build your spelling sense. Thanks for responding to this discussion.
Welcome to myLot.
God bless you
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
26 Mar 10
LOL 
I wont laugh, because I myself do it. I love dictionaries and there are 2-3 different ways I use this, let alone using it as a pillow. I love history too, but mostly the analytical one. I hate crude facts. Its the analysis based on those facts that I appreciate more. Thanks for this wonderful response.
God bless you
I wont laugh, because I myself do it. I love dictionaries and there are 2-3 different ways I use this, let alone using it as a pillow. I love history too, but mostly the analytical one. I hate crude facts. Its the analysis based on those facts that I appreciate more. Thanks for this wonderful response.
God bless you
@monkeylong (3139)
• Guangzhou, China
25 Mar 10
As far as I am concerned, I think I seldom have the time to look up a word in a dictionary,which I think is a little boring to do.But some times I will look up a word which is so difficult for me.
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hello,
It is a boring task indeed. This is why it takes long to grow the habit to consult a dictionary. I often do my readings without taking help of a dictionary even if I encounter unknown words. This is rather skimming. To go deeper one should make sure that one understands every word and the way they are cleverly placed in the sentences. Reading this way will increase the interest and appreciation to the composition. Thanks so much for your contribution to this discussion.
God bless you
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
25 Mar 10
I have never been obsessed about a dictionary 
. I admit that I use dictionaries a lot. Not only foreign language dictionaries, but dictionaries in my language too, so I can research the meanings of words that I might not know well. It's always good to improve our vocabularies 
. I admit that I use dictionaries a lot. Not only foreign language dictionaries, but dictionaries in my language too, so I can research the meanings of words that I might not know well. It's always good to improve our vocabularies 1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hi,
Yes, learning one's one language is necessary too. We often forget that and spend our entire time in learning foreign languages, without gaining mastery in our own. Researching on vocabulary is always fun. I often take delight in doing that. I am often surprised how a single word is used to express different meanings in different contexts. Its just amazing and certainly, quite pleasing. Thanks for your invaluable participation.
God bless you
@mayur_patel203 (6)
• India
25 Mar 10
ya........i have always Used Dictionary...........when i Have Problem to understand the words which r Difficult For Me..............i love to learn new Things & words.............
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
26 Mar 10
Hello mayur,
There is a thrill about learning new words and using them in your own compositions. In order to acquire mastery over vocabulary a dictionary is your one mentor, friend. There are certain words so abstract and exotic that only a good dictionary can help you to grasp the meaning. Thanks so much for your contribution in this discussion.
God bless you
@setsuna26 (2751)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
I use to ,but nowadays im not using dictionaries that much anymore.Its not that i dont want to use one its just that i think its not that necessary for me anymore.Dont get me wrong its not that im that smart at all its just that with the kind of job that i have as a customer service representative i wont be able to use a dictionary while working thats why ;)
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
26 Mar 10
Hi,
Well I don't need a dictionary either. Its just that I am an avid reader myself. This is my major form of entertainment and I read a bulk of material each week. I often encounter difficult and unfamiliar words. It sometimes becomes difficult to comprehend the theme of the material without first understanding the meaning of those words. As long it contains only the most regular words, I too don't use a dictionary. Thanks so much for sharing your views with us.
God bless you
@zsazshie143 (77)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
yes definitely... before i used to bring handy dictionary in case i encounter difficult words. especially at school.. but now thanks for the hi tech gadgets.. even phones we can find dictionary- and it really helps.
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hello,
Yes, with advanced data management systems it is possible to search the meaning of every word by just typing the whole or part of it. Looking up a word in dictionary has never been easier. Thanks for the participation.
God bless you
@mitdeba610 (18)
• India
25 Mar 10
dictionary means a place where we can find all types of query . a word is something which can express our mind .and the dictionary can reveal the meaning the inners sense of the word.....so we have to use dictionary .
1 person likes this
@mitdeba610 (18)
• India
25 Mar 10
dictionary means a place where we can find all types of query . a word is something which can express our mind .and the dictionary can reveal the meaning the inners sense of the word.....so we have to use dictionary .
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
26 Mar 10
Hi Deba,
I completely agree there with you. A dictionary has so many things to offer. It has words along with their phonetics, correct usages, different nuances of meaning, parts of speech and forms in other parts of speech and several other conversions. Some dictionaries may also include the origin of the words, may be Latin, Greek etc. Some dictionaries use illustrations to clarify certain objects. Thanks so much for responding in this discussion.
God bless you
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Hi biswa! Another wonderful topic for discussion! Well, first
I must tell you that your discussion caused me to use a sort
of dictionary = "Wiki"! I needed to look up the word "lexical".
And after reading a very involved description I then looked
up some more words! So, yes I do use dictionaries! I love
to learn new things. That's one of the great things about
mylot and one of the reasons that I've been here almost two
years! Keep these interesting topics coming biswa!
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Opal,
Here we meet again. I have found out one very interesting thing about you. The only way to wake you of your occasional slumber is to introduce new engaging topics in myLot. I even wonder that if all our friends start dedicating 24 x 7 in writing new innovative topics, you won't sleep at all. LOL I admire your love and appreciation for good writing. And for good writing there is always a need for a good dictionary. Thanks so much for this wonderful participation.
God bless you
I admire your love and appreciation for good writing. And for good writing there is always a need for a good dictionary. Thanks so much for this wonderful participation.
God bless you @arunmails (3011)
• India
25 Mar 10
[b]Absolutely yes, I use a dictionary from my childhood... as I am getting older my dictionary is also getting older and older... nowadays I am not using that dictionary...
If I need to find any meaning for a word, I use internet...
[/b]
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hello,
I think my Webster's Dictionary for American English has also grown old. The pages has turned yellow and the words seem more obscure. May be I've grown old too. I also use a dictionary installed in my system. The dictionaries available on the internet are quite useful as well. Thanks for your pithy participation here.
God bless you
I also use a dictionary installed in my system. The dictionaries available on the internet are quite useful as well. Thanks for your pithy participation here.
God bless you
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
25 Mar 10
I use a dictionary all the time. Its very important for me since I am a teacher. I also encourage my students to learn new vocabulary every day and I always encourage them to look up the meaning of the words if they encounter words that are familiar to them. Dictionaries are one of the most important books in the world.
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hi,
If I had known that you are a teacher I would have added you at the very day I joined myLot. I have great respect for teachers, as I myself wanted to be one. But that was not my destiny I guess. I love literature, thus I can't help loving dictionary too. I wonder what amount of effort those lexicographers gave to gather details of all those words, their meanings, pronunciation, usage. I feel grateful to those people for their dedication and toil. I also agree that a dictionary is one of the most used and favored books in the world. Thanks for such a nice response.
God bless you
@binagupta (627)
• India
25 Mar 10
Yes, dear i like to take the help from the dictionary when i have a problem to understand the words which are difficult for me.
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hi Bina,
I too use dictionary for the same purpose. I also look for a word that are used to express more than one different meanings. Dictionaries that are huge, often include usages and synonyms, which is an added advantage. Thanks for sharing your views with us.
God bless you
@dr9rim (247)
• Australia
25 Mar 10
unfortunately for me, my definition of 'using a dictionary' would mean a quick search of a word in dictionary.com
it is not a dictionary but it is the same i suppose. i use it a lot and in fact, i have it on my browser (firefox) as one of the saved search engines. pretty handy when i need to check for spelling and meaning of new word i stumbled upon.
but to learn new words and vocabulary, i prefer to read. books, novel, articles, mylot.. anything really. do a lot of reading and there's bound to be a new word. i think it is a lot more fun too. not as fun as playing video games tho :P
1 person likes this
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
25 Mar 10
Hi dear,
There are some really helpful provisions in Firefox. I think for writers it is an essential browser. Even if you accidentally misspell a word, Firefox assists you with its inbuilt spell-checking mechanism. The best way to learn vocabulary is of course, to read large amount of materials, especially classic literature. True indeed. Thanks for this wonderful response dear.
Happy myLotting.
God bless you
@Dark_void23 (129)
• Australia
20 Apr 10
Hello getbiswa2000, yes i do use a dictionary because i am still in school, it is vital for a student like myself to learn all the words needed to pass my Exam, for example if i write in the exam paper little words they will not grade me as high for as a person who uses bigger words (sorry if i dumbed that down a little bit).
@getbiswa2000 (5544)
• India
20 Apr 10
Hi,
If thats how you think, then I must say that you are neither dark nor void. On the contrary I think you are enlightened and filled with substance. I also assume that you are very simple and straight forward person. Nice to know that you are still a student. I miss my school days. Thanks for responding to this thread.
God bless you
