Pocket Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus (Dictionary)

The "Pocket Oxford" isn't. I mean, I have big pockets in a couple of my rain jackets and this book would probably fit into one, but it isn't really the sort of book you'd choose to carry around with you. It is, however, an excellent little number to have handy if you do crossword puzzles, write (for your work, for your pleasure, or for your studies), or enjoy reading. It is quite portable within the house, and would fit in a drawer at the office.

In terms of its ability to combine dictionary and thesaurus in one volume - it does appear to achieve something of a balance here. There is a slightly larger volume, the "Compact Oxford", which seems to sacrifice the thesaurus part, but the "Pocket" version achieves better balance. It also, of course, lists fewer words - so you get what you pay for.

Organisation is along familiar lines - dictionary at the top of the page, thesaurus at the bottom. You have to get into the habit of looking for words in both places - the smaller the book, the more the dictionary and thesaurus have to complement one another, so you'll find synonyms in the dictionary section, shades of definition creeping into the thesaurus.

Paper quality is good, printing crisp - but you'll possibly need your glasses if you wear them. It's a robust little volume with a compact selection of words and definitions. I'd always advocate that you buy the best dictionary you can afford - and the really big ones come with huge vocabularies and extensive etymological analyses of word origins and histories. But they also have different purposes - a big dictionary is fascinating, and very, very useful from time to time, but little, compact ones are far better as day-by-day working tools.

The "Pocket Oxford" is a neat little combination, a very useful servant, and a very competitive product for this market. However, I always conclude reviews of dictionaries by urging you to go and look at a few in your local bookshop: see and feel them 'in the flesh' - can you read their print? can you lift them from the shelf? does one appeal to your needs, your pocket, and your lifestyle more than another? It's a personal choice, and it's worth investing a little time making your decision.

The "Pocket Oxford" isn't. I mean, I have big pockets in a couple of my rain jackets and this book would probably fit into one, but it isn't really the sort of book you'd choose to carry around with you. It is, however, an excellent little number to have handy if you do crossword puzzles, write (for your work, for your pleasure, or for your studies), or enjoy reading. It is quite portable within the house, and would fit in a drawer at the office.

In terms of its ability to combine dictionary and thesaurus in one volume - it does appear to achieve something of a balance here. There is a slightly larger volume, the "Compact Oxford", which seems to sacrifice the thesaurus part, but the "Pocket" version achieves better balance. It also, of course, lists fewer words - so you get what you pay for.

Organisation is along familiar lines - dictionary at the top of the page, thesaurus at the bottom. You have to get into the habit of looking for words in both places - the smaller the book, the more the dictionary and thesaurus have to complement one another, so you'll find synonyms in the dictionary section, shades of definition creeping into the thesaurus.

Paper quality is good, printing crisp - but you'll possibly need your glasses if you wear them. It's a robust little volume with a compact selection of words and definitions. I'd always advocate that you buy the best dictionary you can afford - and the really big ones come with huge vocabularies and extensive etymological analyses of word origins and histories. But they also have different purposes - a big dictionary is fascinating, and very, very useful from time to time, but little, compact ones are far better as day-by-day working tools.

The "Pocket Oxford" is a neat little combination, a very useful servant, and a very competitive product for this market. However, I always conclude reviews of dictionaries by urging you to go and look at a few in your local bookshop: see and feel them 'in the flesh' - can you read their print? can you lift them from the shelf? does one appeal to your needs, your pocket, and your lifestyle more than another? It's a personal choice, and it's worth investing a little time making your decision.