Day 4: #atozchallenge
Wikipedia.org
Don’t you hate it when the word you want to write escapes you? There’ve been times I’ve stared at my computer screen repeatedly saying the word aloud as if it would magically appear.
That sort of magic rarely happens, so I’ve collected a number of dictionaries at my disposal, and they have proven to be life savers.
My Top 20 Dictionaries for Writers:
- Merriam-Webster
- Your Dictionary
- The Dialect Dictionary
- Written Sound
- Urban Dictionary
- Net lingo
- Word Hippo
- Visual Words
- Idioms and Phrases Free Dictionary
- Words to Use
- Grammar Definitions
- Literature Glossary
- Glossary of Books
- Wordnik
- Cliché Finder
- Grimace Project.net
- Southernisms
- Nonverbal Dictionary
- 100 Words for Facial Expressions
- One Look Dictionary
Do you have a favorite dictionary you use? Feel free to add to my list and pass it on.
I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. You can find me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.
COW PASTURE CHRONICLES 
I tend to use a search engine (bing) for my words. Or the one that comes on the Mac.
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I do as well. However, some of the ones I listed do far more. For example, sounds, idioms, dialect, visual expressions, etc. I have found those to be very helpful when writing. Glad you read and added to the conversation. It’s always nice to see you here in the Cow Pasture.
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Always good to be seen. I’ll have to check some of those out.
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Let me know what you think.
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Found this on Chris the story reading ape. I have many reference books but it seems I’m sadly lacking. You have a wonderful list of reference books here. I’m going to be checking out a number of them. Thank you so much for sharing them.
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You’re very welcome. I’m glad you found the Cow Pasture and hope you will visit again soon.
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Will do. My list is longer than hours in the day. 😦 I’ll get there though.
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Thanks, Sheila, for this interesting piece. 🙂 — Suzanne Joshi
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You’re welcome. Glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by the Cow Pasture.
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I have a battered copy of the Concise OED on my book shelf which I turn to when needed. But your list of on-line dictionaries is going to be a fantastic resource. Thank you!
@fparkerswords
Frank Parker’s Author Site
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Thank you Frank, so glad you liked the list. Some are really fun to use and gives you a broader brush to paint just the right words, when needed. So glad you stopped by to take part in the conversation.
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Reblogged this on Mysticalwriter and commented:
Reblog: dictionaires for writers
https://cowpasturechronicles.com/2016/04/05/dictionaries-for-the-writer/
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So glad you stopped by and found my post helpful and thanks so much for the reblog! Much obliged.
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Reblogged this on authorkdrose.
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Thank you. So glad you stopped by.
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Since I am living in Europe, I use the Oxford dictionary along with Merriam-Webster. I also use the AP Stylebook Online which has an excellent dictionary section. I also have the Emotional Thesarus and a Thesarus. Another tool that is helpful for me is Thesarus.com.
I usually start exchanging words or looking for better ways to say something when I began revising because then I start styling my sentences.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
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That is the time to do it. The thing I like about some of these dictionaries, is the ones that deal with dialect, or sound, and so on. they’ve been very helpful to me in the past. Thanks for commenting.
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You have an awesome list of dictionaries. I don’t have any. I have several reference books that I use after my first draft, like the Emotional Thesaurus, The Ultimate Fiction Thesaurus Books 1 & 2, Get your Characters Moving, All of Rayne Hall’s Books, Jessica Bell’s books & Master Lists for Writers by Bryn Donovan. I try not to refer to any of these useful books until after I’ve written my first draft because I would never get through the draft if I stopped to look up words. Thanks for all the dictionaries. I’m adding them to my reference list.
http://melissasugarwrites.com
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Oh, those are great resources. Thanks for sharing them. Glad you dropped by, these references will be most helpful.
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Wow, that’s quite a list of dictionaries. I’ll have to check out the ones I haven’t seen before.
Peace,
Morgan Dragonwillow
Dragonwillow Journeys
Story Dam
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I hope you do check them out. Some are very specialized and very helpful. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
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With my spelling, I couldn’ write without them.
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Me either !
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Hiya! I’m Shalini and I’m on co-host Pam’s Unconventional Alliance Team.
Dropping by to say hi and good luck with the challenge!
What a great theme you have! Informative!
Let’s have a rocking April!
You can read Army Wife Tales at
Tale Of Two Tomatoes
Also, visit to take a look at 26 lip-smacking Chicken Recipes at Something’s Cooking
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Hi Shalini, it’s nice to meet you and thanks for the nice comments. I’m glad you’re enjoying my posts. Thanks for stopping by the Cow Pasture.
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While I’m writing my stories, I use Dictionary.com because it’s so easily accessible. I use the sister site, Thesaurus.com as well. Great resources!
Julianne
Ink & Stitches – http://blog.jhwinter.com
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Thanks,Julianne. Glad you liked them. Some of these are specialty dictionaries, which I find very helpful. Thanks for commenting.
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