Chambers Dictionary

Best dictionary for word lovers:)

It’s nice when something works well, even down to small details - I like how when re-activating the app by unlocking the phone, it goes back (from a previous look-up) to an empty search box so you can immediately type in a word. This only seems to happen on the iPhone app though, not on the iPad app…

I’ve had this for years and rely on it. Thanks🙏🏻

Used this for years and still useful to this day. My go to whenever I’m doing crosswords

As a lover of the Chambers physical dictionary, which I particularly rely on for crosswords, I held off from buying this for a long time, confused by the strange mixture of reviews, and the price. But I am so glad I bought this. Seems to have everything the physical Chambers has, and in many ways is easier to use; the multiple meanings are laid out more clearly than in the book! And the price is cheaper than the physical book was, so I’m delighted that I finally took the chance! The only thing I have so far found missing compared with the book are some of the odd sections at the end, like “Some first names”.

I’ve used this app and its Thesaurus companion for many years. They’re worth the price. But the truth is, the interface is dated. Useful features go un-signposted. Settings are buried in opaque menus and behind unclear icons. In short, it’s old-fashioned and idiosyncratic. Seems like a one-person project where nobody has challenged a single one of the many arbitrary design decisions. It’s a testament to the quality of the dictionary that I still consider this an essential purchase.

As a prolific writer of lengthy “letters to the editor”, I am often dipping into both Chambers Dictionary & Thesaurus to add more literary variety - “colour” - to my pieces. Occasionally I will refer to the Oxford Dictionary, but Chambers has been my favourite word reference source for many years now. I also like the access both the apps give (I bought the apps separately a few years ago) to the handy free WordWeb app - which also offers an international audio pronunciation facility. However, when looking up a word in the dictionary, it would be nice to see the identifying heading “Dictionary” (or its abbreviation) at the top of each page - likewise with the pages of the thesaurus. When flipping back and forth, via either app, it is not always immediately obvious as to whether one is reading from the dictionary or the thesaurus - especially when researching at speed. Identifying headings would also look good. UPDATE: Still enjoying the Chambers dictionary and thesaurus apps, but I notice that one definition in the dictionary needs to be modified slightly. “Armageddon” is defined a little vaguely as: “The great symbolical battlefield of the Apocalypse, scene of the final struggle between the powers of good and evil (Bible).” To be totally, and biblically, accurate, “Armageddon” is in fact: the symbolic global battlefield where the real, and catastrophic, final war between, specifically, human governments and God will take place (“The war of the great day of God the Almighty” - Revelation 16:14). This discriminate end of worldly governments and the wicked is prophesied in the Bible many times (eg Daniel 2: 44). I hope this is corrected in an otherwise excellent dictionary.

The dictionary seems to be censoring rude words like “b*st*rd” and there is no obvious way to disable this. Can you please fix this?

I have use paper versions of Chambers dictionaries for 60 years and they improve with every edition. This iPad version is superb; comprehensive and easy to use. Contains many words not in the OED which makes it indispensable when doing crosswords with its anagram and missing letters functions alongside the word definitions. Also useful for Scrabble players. As a registered owner of the hard-back paper version, a separate subscription to this App was waived. Highly recommended.

I’ve had this dictionary (and the thesaurus) since the app first appeared, and I use it all the time. I’m posting this review now because I realise I’ve never thanked the developers for this product I take so much for granted - thank you. Other apps come and go but this is one of the fixtures on my iPhone and iPad. Shame it won’t do for Scrabble, but as a (very occasional!) crossword helper it’s excellent. Long may it continue.