# Online British English dictionary? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 8, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-british-english-dictionary/462634 "2008-09-08T16:49:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-british-english-dictionary/462634/1 "2008-09-08T16:49:16Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-british-english-dictionary/462634/2 "2008-09-08T17:08:27Z")
[Ask Oxford](http://www.askoxford.com/) provides a free search of the Compact Oxford English Dictionary. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-british-english-dictionary/462634/3 "2008-09-08T17:18:12Z")
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](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:3) ETA: link! ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-british-english-dictionary/462634/4 "2008-09-08T17:19:49Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-british-english-dictionary/462634/5 "2008-09-08T18:03:55Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-british-english-dictionary/462634/6 "2008-09-08T18:09:42Z")
> [@Dervorin](#): > > 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? You can add Chambers UK to the Firefox search box, too. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-british-english-dictionary/462634/7 "2008-09-08T18:46:05Z")
> [@Dervorin](#): > > 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](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:3) > > ETA: link! 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](http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Reference/EnglishDictionaries/?view=usa&ci=9780199234189#Product_Details) – I don’t know if I can do better.