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The online version of the famous and authoritative historical dictionary of the English language.
The OED describes itself as “the definitive record of the English language”. It’s a guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words – current and historical - from across the English-speaking world.
While dictionaries of current English focus on present-day meanings, the OED, while still including current meanings, has the history of individual words and of the language, traced through millions of quotations.
This online version has a Quick Search and Advanced Search, or you can browse the whole dictionary, categories, timelines, sources, or a historical thesaurus.
You can view word entries as an outline or a full entry. Word entries have a wealth of information including: pronunciation; frequency of use; etymology; historical meanings (with quotations); thesaurus terms; and index entry.
A dictionary which includes hot topics, and words of interest. Definitions use common words, pronunciations are in British and American English, and examples of use and verb forms are provided.
Charles Sturt University acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which its campuses are located, paying respect to Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.
Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. CRICOS Provider: 00005F.
