Guest Author - Jeanne Rutgers

Move over Webster’s, I’ve found a dictionary that I truly love.

I used to think that all dictionaries were the same, until I went to a training program in Boston and the instructor raved about the Collins Co-Build Learner’s Dictionary. After purchasing the dictionary, I agree completely with instructor. Some Dictionaries are better than others.

What Makes the Collins Dictionary Different

1. Definitions are more student/child friendly.

Take for example the word Catharsis. My American Heritage dictionary defines catharsis as 1. Purgation, esp. for the digestive system A purifying or figurative cleansing or release of the emotions or of tension esp. through art.

The Collins defines catharsis as the getting rid of unhappy memories or strong emotions such as anger or sadness by expressing them in some way.



Clearly the Collins definition is easier to understand.

2. Sentences

The Collins dictionary also provides a sentence to help with understanding. He wrote out his rage and bewilderment, which gradually became a form of catharsis leading to understanding.

3. Word Lay Out

My American Heritage is written in black and white. The Collins dictionary prints the words in royal blue and the definitions in black. It may sound incredibly simple but it makes a huge difference. It is so much easier to quickly search a page when the words are written in different colors

4. Word Frequency Charts.
Next to every word is a set of diamonds if the word has 5 diamonds it is a commonly used word such as, among or face, a 1 star word is used less frequently such as fabricates.

Clearly all dictionaries are not the same.