I occasionally need to check the spelling of a word in British English – is there an online resource that can help out? What about usage? A separate program/add-in would also be good, if there is one.
In my own searches, I get lots of hits for American-British help (good in a way, but not exactly what I’m looking for), slang translation, or sites that I am not in a position to judge accuracy. Any help?
Thanks,
Rhythm
Ask Oxford provides a free search of the Compact Oxford English Dictionary.
If you’re using Firefox (and if not, why not? ;)) you can install various dictionaries which will check your spelling right in your browser. Or is your text elsewhere?
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:3
ETA: link!
Thanks!
The default search was “entire Oxford site”, throwing me off a bit.
Is Oxford similar to Webster in British use? That is, anyone can use Webster in the title of their dictionary – is Oxford protected?
I’m not sure of the answer to your question, but if it’s published by the Oxford University Press then it will be an “official” Oxford dictionary. I’ve never heard of anyone else using the name, but that’s a way to check and be sure.
You can add Chambers UK to the Firefox search box, too.
Fantastic, thanks. Issues come in from a variety of sources – though mostly Word and PDF. With a FF add-in, two seconds of typing will answer it without going to a specific page (hey, that means I can never leave the Dope!). Assuming, though, that the dictionary is reliable and switchable.
I found this – I don’t know if I can do better.