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Dictionary.com sold out! Now what?? I need new writing tool



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Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:00 am
Fishr says...



OK, I've always used dictionary.com and their thesaurus but the site is so utterly cluttered now, it's not worth my time. Frankly, I'm pretty angry because I used that site frequently when I write, but now it no longer suits my purposes.

So... does anyone know a good site that has a dictionary and a thesaurus on the same page? And what do you guys use these days for a spell checker or a thesaurus?

I really need some help because without this tool, I'm actually a lost cause. Online dictionaries are so much quicker, and they save time unlike manual searching.

Thank you all for your time because I really need the help. :)
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Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:08 am
Poor Imp says...



So... does anyone know a good site that has a dictionary and a thesaurus on the same page? And what do you guys use these days for a spell checker or a thesaurus?


I can't help on spell-checker, or on sites, unfortunately. I use books still, and don't check spelling... ^_^''

But the best thesaurus you can find is The Synonym Finder Rodale. I think it may even be listed on the net?... Not entirely sure.
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Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:15 am
smaur says...



I'm still going to use dictionary.com/thesaurus.com when I need it, mostly because I've been to worse sites, and their site(s) is/are still pretty accessible. Despite the clutter.

But m-w.com is probably your best bet outside of dictionary.com and all its affiliates. It's got a dictionary + thesaurus, too. If you want more, try googling "Dictionary" (or "Thesaurus", whichever you need) — that might help.

fishr wrote:And what do you guys use these days for a spell checker or a thesaurus?


Not much, actually. For the most part, I never use spell-check (I'm about 98% sure I can catch the majority of my spelling mistakes), and I only use the thesaurus if I absolutely have to.
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Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:18 am
Snoink says...



Word has a thesaurus inside of it plus a dictionary. The dictionary is okay, but I definitely use their thesaurus a lot (although they didn't have a word for bearish... DAMMIT!)
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Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:43 am
Nate says...



For a dictionary, just use google. All you do is write define then the word. Since I have firefox and a little search box is incorporated in the upper right hand corner, it's a lot easier than anything else.

For a thesaurus, I use Word most of the time, but I have a bound thesaurus on my desk that I use from time to time.

Haven't been to dictionary.com for a long time, but looking at it now, I actually like the new layout a lot more.
  





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Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:02 am
Fishr says...



Wow! That was quick! Thank you so much for all the replies guys! And uh... I forgot Word had a thesaurus. *smacks head*

But really, you guys helped me out a lot. Mucho thanks. Is mucho a word? LOL!
The sadness drains through me rather than skating over my skin. It travels through every cell to reach the ground. I filter it yet strangely enough, I keep what was pure and it is the dirt that leaves.
  





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Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:04 am
David Guinness says...



Hmm.. I agree with Nate on this; I really like the new layout: it's much more streamlined.

I use Answers.com for most definitions (through Google, then definition, on the top right side), and it also features several dictionary definitions (including American Heritage and MW) as well as a thesaurus, and Wikipedia content (and much more...).
David Guinness
  





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Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:17 am
electricbluemonkey says...



Wow, the layout is pretty cool.

Even if they did sell out, I'm still going to use it. Although the thesaurus is pretty bad.
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Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:16 am
Wiggy says...



Great guys! This is really going to help me too! *hugs everyone*
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Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:36 am
Firestarter says...



Dictionary.com looks better now and easier to use!
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Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:13 pm
Doctor Kitty says...



In my little Firefox searchbox I have the Merriam-Webster search engine, so I mainly use that.
  





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Fri Aug 25, 2006 10:02 pm
David Guinness says...



Oh- Poor Imp's right, J. I. Rodale's The Synonym Finder is an excellent thesaurus (over one million terms!).
David Guinness
  





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Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:11 pm
Elemental says...



I can't really give too much help there because I've gotten into writing in novels because I'm way to engrossed in my books to only spend a mere two hours, or less, a day. However, Microsoft Word does have one, but it's not extremely accurate. It gives you a great amount of words, and some are only minorly congruent.
  





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Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:13 pm
Wiggy says...



A nice, hardbound dictionary and a nice, hardbound thesaurus are good enough for me. :D
"I will have to tell you, you have bewitched me body and soul..." --Mr. Darcy, P & P, 2005 movie
"You pierce my soul." --Cpt. Frederick Wentworth

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Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:01 am
Writersdomain says...



Rhymezone is my best friend.

Rhymes, synonyms, definitions... miracles do happen. :D
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