The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

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Summary: vague
Review: I purchased this dictionary to replace my beloved old Webster's Third, and was less than impressed.

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Summary: Love the illustrations . . .
Review: I recently bought a new edition of this dictionary, after loving the 1982 version, which I use in my office. I've also given a number of copies as gifts over the years. For me, the illustrations really make it. Terrific!

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Summary: The Dictonary for Word Lovers
Review: I've used and loved this dictionary for 24 years, through three editions. I love words and I love to write. The usage and synonym notes are unique and terrific for finding the right word. For slang and technical terms, use the web. I have my massive Random House Dictionary when I need it, and a shelf full of style manuals and thesauri, but this dictionary is my favorite.

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Summary: Among the best...; giving to my daughters for Christmas.
Review: In 1973, just before entering college, I purchased the then current edition. It's the best dictionary I've ever owned, and among the best I've ever used (even when you consider I studied English at the college level, and have used some of the most authoritative dictionaries of the discipline). I am so sold on it, I'm giving each of my two daughters one for Christmas this year.

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Summary: A Heritage Far Earlier Than American
Review: In a land of great dictionaries, this one stands out as being the one that most expresses what it really means to be American. This is the people's dictionary. Two of its features are its accessibility and its comprehensiveness. You can use this dictionary absolutely for free on the Internet; however, for convenience you might want the hard copy. A 1 3/4 margin on every page is reserved for the numerous miniature pictures illustrating the entries. The text is designed for readability. However, you must not think scholarship is in deficit. Oh no. It was great day for us when Harvard University's Calvert Watkins agreed to do the appendix on Indo-european roots, which keys us in to a language tradition thousands of years old. Nothing else like it is readily available. If you look at the panel of other experts, you will readily see that this dictionary truly is the language reference of our united people. No loving care for our intellectual well-being is stinted by minds that came from many heritages.

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Summary: Not good enough
Review: My wife purchased this book for research. We had been wanting an accurate and unnabridged dictionary for a time so I felt we could part with the money. Unfortunately for us, 45 words commonly used in the Western US are not even listed. It would have been more informative, more accurate, and far less expensive to look up words in my daughters 4-th grade dictionary. A waste of time, paper, and money. If you really need accurate and COMPLETE research materials pop for Oxford's.

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Summary: The Most Useful Dictionary Around
Review: OK, I'm weird. I enjoy browsing through the dictionaries in bookstores. I tend to look up certain key words to get a sense of the editorial slant, words such as "hopefully," "unique," and "man." This outstanding dictionary has the most cogent usage notes I've ever seen. It presents both sides of any controversy with admirable even-handedness and (usually) wit. It also is the only English dictionary in the world to have the correct definition of aikido (which I've studied for fourteen years). The CD-ROM in worth every penny as well. It integrates seamlessly into the major word processors and even pronounces the words for you.

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Summary: excellent and dependable reference source for a dictionary
Review: purchased this edition last year. very impressed with layout & format. a visiting, aspiring writer made comment of same when he briefly leafed through its pages. since he was as impressed as i was, i gave him that one and later purchased another for myself. this dictionary obviously makes for a great gift, & one thats much appreciated.

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Summary: Excellent resource for writers.
Review: The American Heritage Dictonary of the English Language provides much in the way of usage and style guides. This is critical when your work has to be flawless! It has an extensive base of less frequently used words: "Prioritize" (p1441), for example. It also gives accurate descriptions of notable people, such as Kurt Vonnegut (p 2003). This is a perfect resource for students in all curricula. Well worth the price!

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Summary: 4th edition has color, and up to date words
Review: The American Heritage is the best distionary for Americans. It has clear and concise definitions plus fantastic etymologies. There are two other dictionaries that I use: The OED and Webster's 2nd International Unabridged (old), but the AHD is first, always!