WordBook XL - English Dictionary & Thesaurus for iPad
By TranCreative Software
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Description
FEATURES that make WordBook stand out from other dictionary apps:
★ Professionally recorded pronunciation for every single entry
★ Word origin information (Etymologies)
★ Built-in spell checker with pop-up spelling suggestions
★ User's bookmark and note management
★ Unmatched sounds-like and wild card search and a powerful word puzzle solver
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WordBook is a comprehensive, quick and intuitive dictionary and thesaurus of the English language. It's a great combination of comprehensive contents and fast intuitive interface.
FEATURES:
* 150,000 entries with more than 220,000 definitions, 70,000 usage samples
* 23,000 root word origins (etymologies)
* 120,000 pronunciation guides in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and other notations
* Spoken pronunciations (for all entries)
* Built-in thesaurus and word links connecting words semantically
* Unmatched index, wildcard, anagram search capabilities
* Bookmark (with user's notes) and history management
* Words of the Day: you get to learn new words daily, shake the device for new random words
* Browser-like definition content navigation, ability to tap on any word in the content to look up its definition
* Extending up to 5 web dictionaries to supplement built-in contents
* High resolution graphics for Retina display
REVIEWS:
* "Mobile dictionary and thesaurus at my fingertips. Lightning fast. The random words of the day are a terrific bonus" - Dane Cook, The Daily
* “the best in the [inexpensive dictionary] category... This wealth of information is indispensable to the student, and even fun to use” - Jeff Phillips, Macworld
* “One of 15 Best Apps for English Majors” - April Lentini, CollegeTimes.us
* “None measure up to WordBook” Score: 10/10 - Michael Alexander, AppCraver.com
* “WordBook leads the parade of free and low-cost dictionary options” - Ben Boychuk, MacWorld.com
* “WordBook dictionary - the standard for reference apps” Rating: 5/5 - Steven Yaccino, appolicious.com
NOTES:
- WordBook does not required an internet connection except to view web dictionaries or to play online pronunciation voices.
- WordBook includes entries of both American/British spellings. Definitions are written in American English.
What's New in Version 4.3.5
- Thousands of word origin (etymology) updates
- Export/Import bookmarks/history word list via email
- Fast app switching for iOS 4.2
iPad Screenshots
Customer Reviews
A solid lively tool!
Never let a word you don't know pass you by! Best advice I ever got from a teacher. With this really well thought out iPad app, you can bet I won't... It's on the top of the stack and it's one of my "go to" apps almost on a daily basis.
You can bookmark a word which let's you build a collection of favorites. You can annotate a word using the sticky note pad.
You can get a fix on the etymology of the word. There's a thesaurus. If you're not sure how to pronounce a word and diacritical marks are a serious turn off, tap the speaker icon for a clearly spoken audible (definitely not a digital-sounding voice). You can use the Solver to decipher potential spelling of a word. Get a group of words of the day.
Even better, you are not held hostage within the walls of the app. There are an abundance of links to additional info/insights about a word (Wiki, Answers, Google) with room to add two more URLs.
Very nicely thought out app. I appreciate having it as one of my tools. Thanks.
3/22/2011
The words illeist and illeism are not in this dictionary. The reviewer wonders why? The reviewer wants to suggest that the next version include them. Meantime, the reviewer is still pretty happy with this app. :)
That'll do Pig, that'll do.
UP SIDE: it's a very well designed app with some great features and an intuitive interface. Also on the plus side, it's not operated by big brother (ie dictionary.com's questionable-at-best practices).
DOWN SIDE it's really not the best dictionary. Granted, for most purposes it'll get the job done. But many definitions are imprecise and some are even circular (ie word a says "see word b" which says "see word a", ad infinitum).
BOTTOM LINE: Then again, not everyone needs an OED in their backpack. Just need to look up a word? That'll do Pig, that'll do.
For what it's worth, this dictionary is reasonably useful and more importantly, incredibly usable. You can always consult a better dictionary later, like at your local library (sorry, I'm a librarian, had to make the plug).
Recommended
Excellent app. Fast, with lots of content. Right mix of features that do/don't require a connection. Users' notes are a nice touch. Used to use dictionary.com until I discovered that every time a word is looked up, the user, location, word and other personal information is sent to dictionary.com.
- $2.99
- Category: Reference
- Updated: Jan 11, 2011
- Version: 4.3.5
- Size: 20.0 MB
- Language: English
- Seller: TranCreative Software
- © 2010 TranCreative LLC
Requirements: Compatible with iPad.Requires iOS 3.2 or later
