WordWeb

WordWeb Dictionary

(Sorry As Im new to MS, I have unknowingly included the same review under two categories. Thats no excuse and Im genuinely sorry about it, but hopefully the review would be of some use to you. Thanks)

Best Dictionary which can be used without being online or being connected to the net from the makers of ’Crossword compilers’. Free version can be downloaded from https://wordweb.info/free; the file size is 5.94 MB approximately. Very easy to install; and uninstall it from the Control Panel-Add or Remove programs.

During installation, choose the recommended option “Install into the system tray” so that the dictionary can be run using a shortcut key. (This would include the WordWeb dictionary in the system startup; however later if you wish not to include it in the startup, disable the same by un-checking ‘WordWeb’ in the startup items list –“Start-run-“msconfig”-startup”). Compatible with Windows 98, XP pro & home (My cousin & I had used it with only these OS. For details on other OS please refer to the website) and also with MS Office XP.

My cousin recommended this software after using it for over 6 months. Some of its features which impressed me greatly are:

1. It is free for personal use. And the free version itself has so many features that its as good as the full or paid version (for details on the paid or full version, please refer the website).

   
   




2. One need not be connected to the internet to use the dictionary. And so no silly ads or pop-ups.

   
   




3. Language settings can be adjusted according to ones’ language preference or usage (International or Asian or British or American English: Next time you won’t have to be confused with ‘Bank check’ or ‘Bank cheque’)

   
   




4. For a given word, one can find out the pronunciation (again in British or American English) and usage examples and also the word class i.e., the part of speech it belongs to (Nouns, Verbs, Adverbs and Adjectives are included).

   
   




5. Then for any given word, one can find the ‘Nearest’ word (i.e., you type only ‘penc’ and click on the ‘Nearest’ tab, then the following words would be displayed – ‘penchant, pencil, pencil box, etc)

   
   

The other tabs include ‘Synonyms’, ‘Parts’, ‘Type of’, ‘Types’, ‘Part of’ and ‘See also’ (depending upon the word selected)

Eg: For the word ‘BIRD’ one would see the following under the above tabs:

Nearest: birdbath, birdbrain, birdcage

Synonyms: birdie, birdwatch, etc

Parts: air sac, beak, bill, bird’s foot, dark meat, etc

Type of: craniate, vertebrate, meat, etc

Types: aquatic bird, bird of prey, etc

Part of: Aves, subphylum Vertebrata, flock

See also: Avian, birder

1. Another feature that impressed me is, one can block vulgar or offensive synonyms from being displayed.

   
   




2. Set a ‘hot key’ and the dictionary can be launched using that key in any program. Yes!!! Any program where one can select a text. All that one would have to do is select the word & use the short-cut key to WordWeb (while in HTML files or the webpage, select the word & right click to find the WordWeb (along with the cut, copy, paste options)

   
   




3. Choose the appropriate or the desired word and click on the replace button to replace the word typed in the program with the new word.

   
   




4. One of the best features is, the dictionary can be used even in Microsoft Office programs. (Make sure that the ‘Direct MS word link’ option is enabled in the WordWeb. Use the ‘hot key’ and the word where the ‘text cursor’ is lying is selected for reference)

   
   




5. Double click on any word in the WordWeb window to Look-up

   
   




6. ‘Help’ and links to the website are available.

   
   

Great software indeed!