Chambers Dictionary app for iPhone and iPad
4.4 (
1584 ratings )
Reference
Productivity
Developer:
Antony Lewis
9.99 USD
Current version:
5.6, last update: 9 months ago
First release : 18 May 2009
App size: 57.8 Mb
Chambers is the single-volume international English dictionary with the widest coverage of all the riches of the English language. Clear, accurate and occasionally witty definitions, with the latest new words from science, technology and contemporary culture.
This 13th Edition reflects the changes in our language, with special attention paid to new words that have emerged, new uses of old words and the most up-to-date pronunciation. The 13th Edition includes over 260,000 distinct words, compounds, phrases and derived forms.
The intelligent word entry suggests possible correct spellings as you type, as well as listing words that sound the same or are often confused. Search features include:
- Alphabetical listing
- Spelling suggestions
- Sounds-like and often-confused
- Fast pattern-matching search (*, ?, vowel and consonant)
- Filter search results by noun, verb, adjective, adverbs
- Customize search options (case, derived forms, etc)
- Anagrams
There are also standard bookmark, recent word and random word features. No Internet connection is required, and it supports Split View and Slide over for use with other apps on iPad.
The Chambers Dictionary is treasured by word-lovers and crossword enthusiasts for its majestic coverage of English and its tradition of sneaking in a sprinkling of light-hearted definitions. Alone among the single-volume dictionaries, it preserves a rich stock of words from our literary heritage as well as covering all the latest developments in contemporary English.
Chambers Thesaurus is also available as a separate app, and can easily be cross-referenced from the dictionary. Our WordWeb, Chambers, Collins and Oxford dictionaries are also available separately for Windows and Mac desktop.
Pros and cons of Chambers Dictionary app for iPhone and iPad
Chambers Dictionary app good for
This is a superb iPad dictionary in my view. I tried a few free dictionaries, and the best one was the word press one. But this Chambers one is even better. It is amazing that you can get so much knowledge and history in one place for only 7.99.
I only wish that when the app is booted that it would automatically clear the search field and bring up the keyboard. Its very tedious to have to type the same two or three clicks to clear the previous word and bring up the keyboard.
One of the most detailed dictionaries available for iOS- great for word lovers.
It"s great that I used word dictionary, it,s accessible all requirements, thanks a lot to designer and all official staffs. Sincerely yours. New user
This dictionary does everything. The coverage is more than comprehensive and the etymologies especially well done. Wouldnt be without it.
Chambers has become my go-to dictionary for everyday use, both online and in print. It seems to have more entries than American Heritage, Merriam-Websters Collegiate, or the Oxford American Dictionary, and its definitions are often simpler and almost always at least as precise. The app is easy to use, completely functional even with relatively old versions of iOS, and uncluttered by annoying pop-up ads and banners—and its free. Whats not to like? Highly recommended.
Ive tried all the dictionary apps, and this one is my new favorite. It has all the features of the other good apps combined: typing letters in the search box brings up matching words immediately; tapping a word in one definition brings you to the definition of THAT word; theres an immense vocabulary on tap; theres a standard pronunciation key, parts of speech, etymologies, and most importantly, very clear definitions.
The app makes intelligent suggestions about alternative spellings or related words. A book I was reading mentioned the word "chafron." I looked it up but found no match. Then I noticed a drop-down list of suggested alternatives on the right, one of which was "chaffron." Tapping this brought me to the definition of "chamfron," for which chaffron is an alternative, and which I knew from the context was the word I was looking for.
I havent run into any of the "light-hearted" definitions yet, but the ones Ive seen - and the app has all of the "test words" I try in a new dictionary - have been spot-on. This dictionary app, for me, is worth every penny.
Some bad moments
GUI is fine. It os the same as the free wordweb app GUI. The content is subpar in my opinion. Absolutely no example sentences. This dictionary is a definite no for English learns.
I may be petty, but Im going to pan every app that follows John Ives knuckledragging example and "flattens" their icon. This is not my all time favorite dictionary (and I use several regularly) but its very close to the top of my list.
