Kaushik Gopal's Personal Blog

I recently read this article on Write-To-Done (nice blog on writing). The article recommends Merriam Webster as the must-have online dictionary. I would like to differ.
I’ve reviewed 4 of the most popular “free” online dictionaries:

• Cambridge Advanced Learner’s*,
• Merriam Webster,
• Dictionary.com and
• The free dictionary.

Read on if you want to know why I think the Advanced Learner’s is my winner.

When dealing with an online dictionary these are the factors I consider most relevant:

1. Meaning (duh!)

   I think they’re all tied on this one. Out of experience and a little experimenting, I’ve found them all to be comprehesive and comprehensible. Couple of things I noticed though when the same word has slightly different meanings-depending on context(what is called connotation):
   Results:

   • Cambridge: Presents a first page with likely connotations neatly. You must click to proceed to a new page though for the actual word’s meaning.
   • Merriam Webster: Presents likely meanings in a textarea box. More than one connotation though, implies an ugly scroll-bar (but faster access to actual meaning)
   • Dictionary.com : True dictionary style, it displays ALL the results on one page. I’m non-commital on this one.
   • The Free Dictionary: Follows the same pattern, but presents it in the most readable manner.

   If I “had” to choose a winner, Free dictionary would be it.

2. Content Presentation

   This is by far the most important for me. The more sensible rationale to this statement would be, the better the presentation content the more readily understable the site.
   Results:

   • Cambridge: Neat, minimal and concise.
   • Merriam Webster: NOT Available
   • Dictionary.com : Irritating adds at the beginning
   • The free dictionary: NOT Available

   Truth is at heart I’m a web-designer. Beautiful looking pages please me.

3. Word Usage in Sentences

   It’s important to know how to use the word as well. Remember them useless GRE word-list pegging days?
   Results:

   • Cambridge: Available
   • Merriam Webster: NOT Available
   • Dictionary.com: Available
   • The free dictionary: NOT Available

   Cambridge and Dictionary.com are the only ones that provide this option for most words. Personally though Cambridge’s form of presentation of sample sentences consolidated in the end based on the connotation of the word is what I prefer. Dictionary.com gives the usage with the connotation and I completely understand if this would seem better for you, but it looks more cluttered through my eyes.

4. Pronounciation

   When English isn’t your native language and your mother-tongue is one that can influence a heavy accent in your speaking, it’s quintessential to know the correct pronounciation. Check the pronounciation of “epitome” if you feel this isn’t too important.
   Results:

   • Cambridge: Audio(Paid) + IPA.
   • Merriam Webster: Audio + IPA
   • Dictionary.com: Audio + IPA + non-IPA sensible
   • The free dictionary: Audio + IPA

   I’ve taken a course in linguistics so I can understand the IPA(International Phonetics Association) script. In fact I prefer the IPA script as it provides the EXACT pronounciation(but more importantly to ensure I don’t forget how to read the script). If you’re the more saner type though, Dictionary.com is the clear winner. Cambridge only gets the audio rendering if you pay for their service. All others provide the free audio snippets, but dictionary.com also includes a more readable-understandable script.It’s “i-pite-mee” if you’re curious.

5. Loading Speed

   Some may compromise on this, but I consider this equally important. When I’m in the middle of writing my “masterpiece”, flow of thought is vital. If there’s a word, the usage of which I’m slightly doubtful of, I would like to quickly look it up. Waiting for the damn site to load with all its advertisements and grandeur can be frustrating and more importantly thought halting!
   Results:

   • Cambridge: whooping 1.83s (complete page load).
   • Merriam Webster: 1.86s(for text content)/6.58s(complete page load)
   • Dictionary.com: 2s(for text content)/9.39s(complete page load)
   • The free dictionary: 2.2s(for text content)/7.27s(complete page load)

   I queried the word “zealot” on a firefox browser. I presume “zealot” would be close to the end of the Dictionary Database(see the irony in that) :P. It’s also important to know that the results can be skewed based on numerous factors, but overall I think the first two come out as clean winners.

I keep both Cambridge’s Advanced Learner’s dictionary and Merriam-Webster in my quicksearch bar for Firefox. If you’re finding difficulty searching for the dictionary of choice, be sure to check the mycroft project’s search engines page. In fact I prefer searching for them here than the usual mozilla firefox addons page. If you want to pimp it further check my tech-post here.