Chambers Dictionary

Chambers Dictionary: Comprehensive Reference

A renowned dictionary and thesaurus offering clear definitions for over 800,000 words and phrases, ideal for vocabulary study, translation, and writing improvement.

What is Chambers Dictionary?

The Chambers Dictionary is a comprehensive single-volume dictionary first published by William Chambers in 1872. Now published by Chambers Harrap, it contains over 800,000 words and phrases with clear, understandable definitions making it a useful reference work for studying vocabulary, translating texts, and improving writing skills.

This iconic dictionary includes word origins and development over time. Definitions are written using simple everyday vocabulary that is easy to understand. Thousands of usage examples provide context to help determine appropriate word choice. The Chambers Dictionary also contains extensive appendices with supplementary information on topics like grammar, punctuation, and foreign words and phrases commonly used in English.

In addition to definitions, the reference provides pronunciations using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to help with speaking vocabulary words correctly. Variant spellings assist understanding of differences between British and American English. Etymologies give fascinating insights into the derivation and history of words.

This authoritative work strives to capture the evolution of language and newer terms coming into usage. Periodic revisions and updates account for the latest vocabulary. The 12th edition was published in 2011. A variety of print and digital versions are available, including abridged and concise editions for portability and quick lookups.

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