by Jessica Yam

Created on: September 08, 2008

This is a question anyone with internet access can answer. Many people think that books will continue to exist even with ebooks, but the fate of a PRINT DICTIONARY is another matter. The clear fact is an online dictionary is much better than a print dictionary in so many ways. Here is the list of why an online dictionary like www.dictionary.com has an advantage over your torn and tattled print dictionary:

1)Dictionary Suggestions
When you want to check a word in a dictionary, it could be just a word you hear on the television, you do not understand. Since you might not even know the existence of the word, more or less you will rely on the pronunciation to search for the word. But, what are the chances that you get the spelling correct using this method. For example, the word fatigue sounds like fur.ti.que. Search it in a print dictionary and you will never find the word. Search in on an online dictionary and there is the wonderful list of dictionary suggestions for you to find your mispelt word.

2)How do I pronounce thee?
Just admit it, you do not exactly know what those phonetics symbols mean, at least most of us don't. When do you use the silent e and when do you not? The print dictionary will provide you with a pronunciation key on how to read those weird symbol, and so you have to slowly put them together and read it out not ever knowing if you are correct because not many people will point out something like that to you. With an online dictionary, there are audio clips provided to tell you how to enunciate the word, it makes the process that much easier and accurate.

3)Multiple entries
Most people usually only use one print dictionary, unless English is critical to their professions or interests, but not everyone use that same ONE dictionary of yours. Peopel must realise that dictionaries do have different definitions of words and even definitions of words themselves change with times. Your old print dictionary may not have the word 'google' which, of course, has been offical included in the English language. Online dictionaries can show you multiple entries from different dictionary. Take the word 'consume'you can get its definition from 7 sources just in one webpage by just typing C-O-N-S-U-M-E in the search bar. Whereas, if you use the 7 print dictionaries, no, actually can you even get hold of the 7 sources in print.

4)Additional tools
A print dictionary will never be able to match up with its online counterpart in a way it can never provide better additional tools. Online dictionaries sometimes even equppied with thesaurus and the blessed web search. You are on only able to find definitions but also synonyms. You can even find out how to use a word in a particular phrasing but just easily using its automatic web search function to see how the word is use.

5)Relevance
It is a fast pace society now, people just don't have the leisure of time. People want things done faster, faster, and even faster. If you still insist on using print dictionary, you'll just fall behind. Unless you have extremely fast page flipping skill coupled with super word scanning ability, using an automatic online search bar is just faster. Plus, it is even more user friendly to the physically impaired. Furthermore, online dictionaries are usually free to use and available anywhere you can get an internet access.

In conclusion, online dictionaries are the way to go. There is no denying, some may plea to let the print dictionary continue. After all, your computer might just crash while you are using it. Same to them, your print dictionary can get eaten by your dog or be buried so deep in your cellar you can't find it.

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