Oxford Thesaurus of English

Why Use an Oxford Thesaurus?

First, because the words in an Oxford Thesaurus are organized so that you can find them quickly and easily. The entries are organized A to Z, and lists of words within entries are given according to how close in meaning they are to the entry word, which means that the most useful words are given first. (Not all thesauruses are arranged A to Z. Some, like Roget's Thesaurus, are arranged 'thematically', with complicated indexes to try to get you where you want to be.)

Second, because Oxford thesauruses give more example sentences than any other thesaurus. Examples show you the word in context, which helps you to find the right sense of the word you are looking for. Do you want synonyms for the word 'hack' meaning 'cut off' or 'hack' meaning 'journalist'? The example sentences make it instantly clear which is which.

Third, because Oxford thesauruses are based on the largest language research programme in the world, and are linked to the largest and most famous dictionary in the world, the Oxford English Dictionary. Every piece of information has been meticulously researched, giving you the most accurate picture of the language available.

All thesauruses contain lists of words that are linked by having a similar or related meaning, but the Oxford Thesaurus of English also contains:

opposites (e.g. for the different senses of smart: scruffy, unfashionable, stupid, slow, and gentle).

word links (e.g. words related to horse, such as stallion, mare, and equine)

studies of synonyms with similar meanings, entitled 'Choose the Right Word' (e.g. brusque, abrupt, curt, and terse)

advice on pairs of confusingly similar words (e.g. 'militate or mitigate?')

a central reference section of word lists (e.g. herbs: angelica, anise, basil, bay leaf, bergamot, etc.)