Which English Dictionary is Best for You? - We Reviewed 9 Popular Online Dictionaries

英语学习习惯——最好的英语网络字典

Hi, I’m Oli.

嗨，我是Oli。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English！

In this video, you’ll see reviews of several online dictionaries.

在本视屏里，您会看到几个 网络字典的点评。

Which dictionary is the best for English learners?

对英文学习者来说， 哪一个字典是最好的呢？

Which should – or shouldn’t – you use?

您肯定要用或不用哪一个呢？

You’ll find out!

您会看到这些。

In this video, you’ll see the pros and cons of nine popular online dictionaries.

在本视屏里，您会看到九个流行 网络字典的优点和缺点。

We tested the following: Cambridge, Longman, dictionary.com, Collins, Lexico, Macmillan,

我们测试以下字典：剑桥字典、朗文字典、 dictionary.com、柯林斯字典、牛津

wordreference.com, Chambers and Merriam-Webster.

字典、麦克米伦字典、wordreference.com、 钱伯斯字典和梅里安—韦伯斯特字典。

If you want the short version here it is.

如果您想看短版本，这就是。

Are you an upper-intermediate or advanced English learner who wants the most complete,

您是一个想要更完整、功能齐全的 网络字典的中高级或

full-featured online dictionary?

高级英语学习者吗？

Use Longman.

使用朗文字典。

Are you at intermediate level or below?

您是中级或以下的英语学习者吗？

Use Lexico.

使用牛津字典。

Maybe use Lexico even if you’re at a higher level.

即使您是一个较高级别的学习 者，也可以用牛津字典。

You want to know why, or how we tested, or why you perhaps shouldn’t use some of these

您想知道为什么吗？或，我们怎样 测试吗？或者为什么您可能不要用

other dictionaries?

这些字典中的一些吗？

Keep watching!

继续看！

We created six tests for each online dictionary, based around looking up common verbs like

以查找常见动词为基础，像是“talk”、“go”、 “pick”等等，我们为

‘talk’, ‘go’, ‘pick’ and so on.

每一个网络字典创建了六个测试。

We chose these verbs because they have many different meanings, as well as many phrasal

我们选择这些动词是因为它们有很多 不同的意思，以及基于

verbs and idioms based on them.

它们有很多动词短语和成语。

In this video, we’ll focus on the verb ‘talk’.

在这部视屏里，我们会把重点放在动词“talk”。

So, what were the six tests?

那么，六个测试是什么？

The first test was for completeness: does the dictionary give you every definition of

第一个测试是完整性：字典有给 出您一个单词的

a word?

每种定义吗？

The second test: does the dictionary give you definitions of phrasal verbs, collocations

第二个测试：字典有给您那些与您正在 查找的动词有关的动词短语、

and idioms related to the word you look up?

动词搭配和成语的定义吗？

Test three: does the dictionary explain the difference between UK and US pronunciation

测试三：字典有解释英国和美国 发音以及使用

and usage?

之间的差异吗？

Test four: does the dictionary explain verb structures and complements?

测试四：字典有解释动词结构 和动词补语吗？

For example, you can ‘talk to someone’, ‘talk with someone’, ‘talk about something’,

例如，您可以“talk to someone”、 “talk with someone”、“talk about something”、

and ‘talk of something’.

以及“talk of something”。

Test five: can you look up phrasal verbs and idioms directly?

测试五：您可以直接查找动词短语 和成语吗？

With some dictionaries, if you try to look up a phrasal verb like ‘put down’, it

在某些字典里，如果您尝试查找像 “put down”这样的动词短语，

will redirect you to the root verb, ‘put’.

它会把您重新导向到根词“put”。

This makes it harder to find the information you need.

这会让要找到您要的资讯 变得更难。

Good online dictionaries let you look up phrasal verbs and idioms directly.

好的网络字典会让您直接地查找 动词短语和成语。

Test six: is the information presented in a clear, organised way, and is the dictionary

测试六：资讯是以一个清晰、井井有条的 方式呈现出来的吗？

website easy to use?

网络字典容易使用吗？

This test is more subjective, of course.

当然，这个测试是比较主观的。

Finally, we looked for any other features which might be useful for English learners.

最后，我们找找可能对英语学习者 有用的任何其他功能。

Remember: if you want to see the full test results, check out the page on our website.

记住：如果您想看完整的测试结果， 看我们的网站页面。

If you’re watching on YouTube, you can find a link in the video description.

如果您在YouTube上看，您可以在视屏 描述里找到一个链接。

So, how did our online dictionaries do?

那么，我们的网络字典怎么样呢？

Cambridge didn’t do very well, which is a shame, because it had been my go-to online

剑桥字典不是很好，那很羞愧，因为 那是我在开始制作这部

dictionary before I started making this video.

视频之前使用的网络字典。

Firstly, it is not complete.

首先，它是不完整的。

It doesn’t contain all the possible definitions of a word.

它没有包含一个单词的 所有可能的定义。

Plus, it doesn’t have a complete list of related phrasal verbs, idioms and collocations.

加上，它没有一个相关动词短语、 成语和搭配的完整清单。

On the other hand, for beginners or intermediate learners, there are some good example sentences.

在另一方面，对于初学者和中级 学习者，有一些好的例句。

The definitions are well-written and clear.

定义写得很好，很清楚。

It does also show the UK and US pronunciation of a word, with audio, so that’s a positive.

它也清楚地用音频来显示出一个单词的英国 发音和美式发音，所以那是一个加分。

It doesn’t clearly show verb complements and structures.

它没有清楚地显示出动词 补语和动词结构。

Overall, I can’t recommend it.

总的来说，我不会推荐它。

One of the biggest problems is that three different dictionaries are combined on one

最大问题中的一个是三种不同 的词典合并在一页上；

page; there’s a British English dictionary, an American dictionary, and a business English

有英式英语字典、 美式英语字典和

dictionary.

商务英语字典。

This makes it confusing to use, because different information is in different places, and not

这会让它的使用有点混淆，因为不同的 信息在不同的地方，

always where you might expect it.

不是总是在您可能期望它在的位置。

I won’t spend more time on it, because there are much better dictionaries you can use.

我不会花太多的时间在那，因为有 您可以用的更好的字典。

Longman was number one in our tests.

朗文字典在我们的测试里排名第一。

It’s by far the most complete dictionary I found.

那是目前为止找到的 最完整的字典。

It contained all the information you might need: every definition of the word, possible

它包含所有您可能需要的信息，单词 的每个定义、可能的动词

verb complements, phrasal verbs, idioms…

补语、动词短语和动词成语…

Everything you might need is there.

每件您想要的东西都在那。

Not only that, but they have example sentences and many example sentences have audio, at

不仅如此，它们有例句， 很多例句有音频，

least for some words.

至少对某些单词是。

That makes it a great resource for practising pronunciation.

那对练习发音来说是一个 很棒的资源。

At the bottom of the page, they also have a large number of examples taken from natural

在页面的底部，它们也有大量的 取材于原生英语

English texts.

文本的例子。

You can look up phrasal verbs and other word combinations directly.

您能直接查找动词短语 和其他的单词组合。

Even the longer phrase ‘know what you’re talking about’ has its own entry, with dedicated

甚至是比较长的短语“know what you’re talking about"，有它自己的有

examples.

专门例子的条目。

That’s impressive!

那令人印象深刻！

When you’re learning English, you’ll often hear that you need to learn language in chunks.

当您在学英语时，您会常常听到说 您需要分块去学语言。

This is good advice, so it’s great that there are dictionaries which can help you

这是好建议，所以有字典能帮 您做这个那是

to do this.

很棒的。

There’s one minor criticism: it gives you the UK and US pronunciations of a word, but

有一个小的批评：它提供您一个单词的 英国发音和美式发音，

it doesn’t clearly show which is which.

但是它没有清楚地 显示出哪一个是哪一个。

For reference, the UK pronunciation is given first, and the US pronunciation second.

作为参考，英国发音是给出的 第一个，美式发音是第二个。

Longman also has a number of useful features for English learners.

朗文字典也有很多对英语 学习者有用的功能。

If you look up a verb, you can find a verb tense table which lists all the forms and

如果您查找一个动词，您可以发现 一个列出了所有形式和

tenses.

时态的动词时态表。

Finally, it has a good thesaurus, which gives you alternative words and also explains what

最后，它有一个好词库，给您替代 单词并也解释了他们是

they mean, and how they’re different from the base word.

什么意思，以及他们和基本词 的区别是怎样的。

Generally, I found Longman one of the easiest dictionaries to use.

一般来说，我发现朗文字典是 最容易用的字典之一。

Information is organised and presented nicely, and the page is relatively clean, without

信息井井有条，并很好地呈现 出来，页面相当干净，没有

unnecessary clutter.

没必要的杂乱。

Dictionary dot com isn’t really a dictionary in its own right.

Dictionary dot com就其自身而言 并非一个真正的字典。

Instead, it collects information from many dictionaries.

取代的是，它从很多字典那 收集信息。

In summary, I don’t recommend it for English learners.

总之，我不向英语学习者推荐它。

It’s reasonably complete, although you won’t find much information on idioms and collocations.

它还算是完整的，尽管您不会 找更多成语和搭配的信息，

More importantly, the information is not well-organised.

更重要的是，信息组织得不是很好。

A lot of info is hidden behind ‘see more’ links, but there doesn’t seem to be any

大量的信息被隐藏在“see more” 的链接下面，但是，对为什么

logic to what’s hidden and what’s displayed immediately.

要隐藏以及什么要被直接显示， 看上去没有任何逻辑。

Plus, because it collects information from different dictionaries on a single page, the

加上，因为它从不同的字典那 收集信息到一页上，信息被

information is divided into different sections, but not in a logical way.

区分成不同的单元，但是 没有用一个逻辑的方式。

This makes it harder to find what you need.

这会让您找到您想要的更难。

It doesn’t do a good job of showing related phrasal verbs, idioms and collocations.

在显示相关的动词短语、成语和 搭配上，它做得不是很好。

You also can’t look up phrasal verbs directly, which is a big disadvantage.

一个很大的缺点是您也不能 直接查找动词短语。

Collins has some positive features.

柯林斯字典有一些正面的功能。

It scored four out of five for completeness.

它的完整性得分为4/5.

It has clear explanations with examples for each definition.

它有对每个词义带有 例子的清晰解释。

However, a couple of things could be better.

然而，有些东西能更好点。

Our test word – ‘talk’ – can be both a noun and a verb.

我们的测试单词 – “talk” – 可以是 一个名词和一个动词。

Most dictionaries will separate the verb and noun definitions, which makes sense.

大部分的字典会把动词和名词的词义 分隔开，那是有道理的。

Collins mixes them together in a list.

柯林斯字典把它们混合在 一个清单里面。

It’s not bad, but it seems strange, and I think it could be confusing for some users.

那不糟糕，但是看上去有点奇怪， 我认为有些使用者会混淆。

Also, it gives some information about complements and structures, but it’s not so clear.

它也给出一些关于补语和结构的 信息，但是那不够清晰。

They highlight the structures used in their example sentences, but there’s no dedicated

它们在例句里涂亮使用的结构， 但是，没有关于结构

information on what structures are possible and what they mean.

可能是什么及有什么意思 的专门信息。

Finally, like some other dictionaries in our list, Collins tries to combine results from

最后，像在我们清单里的其他字典 一样，柯林斯字典试图

different dictionaries on one page.

在一个页面里组合其他字典的结果。

I think this is terrible design, because you might not even realise there are more parts

我觉得这是一个恐怖的设计，因为您 也许甚至不会意识到

to the page.

在页面里有更多的内容。

You see the definitions and explanations, you get down to here, and… that looks like

您看词义和解释，您往下看到这， 然后… 那看起来像是

the end, right?

结尾了，对吗？

But, then there’s more: a British dictionary, an American dictionary, and more examples

但是，然后有更多：一个英国英语字典、 一个美国英语字典，

and idioms.

更多的例子和成语。

Overall, not bad, but it's not the best.

总之，不坏，但是，那不是最好的。

Lexico is one of the best dictionaries we tested.

牛津字典是我们测试的 字典里最好中的一个。

I highly recommend it, especially for learners at an intermediate or lower level.

我高度推荐它，特别是对那些中级 或初级的学习者。

Even if you’re a higher-level learner, give Lexico a try.

即使您是一个较高级的学习者， 试一下牛津字典。

Why?

为什么？

Because it’s so clear and well-organised.

因为它是很清晰并且井井有条。

For example, it gives you one example sentence for each definition, but you can also click

例如，对每个词义，它给您一个 例句，但是，如果您想，

to see more if you want.

您也能点击“see more”。

That’s a really nice feature.

那真是一个很好的功能。

You just need a simple example?

您只需要一个简单的例子吗？

You can have it.

您可以有。

You want more?

您想要更多？

You can have that, too.

您也可以看到。

In general, Lexico does the best job of presenting a large amount of information in a logical

一般来说，牛津字典在用一种 逻辑方式呈现大量的信息上

way.

做得最好。

However, it’s also fully complete.

然而，它也是完全地完整的。

Only two dictionaries scored 100% in our completeness tests: Longman and Lexico.

在我们的完整性测试里，只有两个字典 评分得分100%：朗文字典和牛津字典。

Plus, information on phrasal verbs, collocations and idioms is nicely separated, and you can

加上，在动词短语、搭配和成语方面的 信息是很好地分隔开的，您可以

look up longer phrases directly; for example, if you look up an idiom like ‘talk the talk’

直接查找较长的短语；例如，如果 您直接查找一个成语，像是

directly, you’ll find a dedicated page.

“talk the talk”，您会找到一个 专门的页面。

The only negative is that it doesn’t explain the difference between UK and US pronunciation

唯一不足之处是它没有解释英国发音 和美式发音或使用之间

or usage.

的差异。

Overall, I also found Lexico to be the cleanest dictionary in terms of design.

总之，我也发现牛津字典是在 条目设计上最整洁的字典。

It’s a great choice for English learners.

对英语学习者来说， 它是一个很棒的选择。

Macmillan is slightly different, because it puts different parts of speech on different

麦克米伦字典有一点点区别，因为它把 相关内容的不同部分放在

pages.

不同的页面上。

So, if you look up ‘talk’, you’ll see definitions for the verb only.

所以，如果您查找“talk”，您 只会看到动词的词义。

The noun definitions are on a separate page, which might not be easy to find if you’re

名词的词义是在分开的另一页上， 如果您在用手机或小的

using a mobile or a smaller screen, because they’re hidden in this ‘other entries’

屏幕，也许不容易找到它， 因为他们是隐藏在这个

box.

“other entries”选项里。

I don’t think that’s a good point.

我不认为那是一个好主意。

Macmillan has some positives: it has good information on verb complements, which is

麦克米伦字典有一些优点：在动词 补语方面有好的信息，并且

also nicely presented, and you can look up phrasal verbs and idioms directly.

那也很好地被呈现出来，您能直接 查找动词短语和成语。

However, it’s not complete, and it doesn’t give any information on UK versus US pronunciation

然而，它是不完整的，它没有给出 任何英国发音和美式发音或

or usage.

使用的比较信息。

So, it’s in the middle.

所以，它评分是中等。

There are better options.

有更好的选项。

I knew about Wordreference as a bilingual dictionary.

我知道Wordreference是 一个双语字典。

They have many bilingual versions, aimed at speakers or learners of European languages.

他们有很多双语版本，目标定位于 讲或学习欧洲语言的人。

However, they also include a monolingual English dictionary.

然而，它们也还包含有一个 英语单语字典。

Is it any good?

有什么优点吗？

It has some advantages, but overall, not recommended.

它有一些优点，但是， 总的来说，不推荐。

Like dictionary dot com, Wordreference collects information from multiple dictionaries, but

像dictionary dot com一样，Wordreference 从多个字典里收集信息，但是，

this means you have too much information on one page, some of which is repeated, and it’s

这意味着在一个页面里您有太多 的信息了，有些是重复的，

hard to find what you need.

要找到您需要的有点难。

You also can’t look up phrasal verbs or idioms directly.

您也不能直接查找动词 短语和成语。

If you try to look up a phrasal verb like ‘pick up’, you’ll be redirected to the

如果您想查找像“pick up”这样的 一个动词短语，您会被

root verb – ‘pick’.

重新导向到根词——“pick”。

Then, you’ll have to find the definition on the page.

然后，您必须要在 这个页面找定义。

Wordreference does have one excellent and – at least in our tests – unique feature.

Wordreference有一个优点——至少是在我们的 测试里——独特的功能。

For pronunciation, it has audio not just for UK and US English, but also for other regions,

对于发音，它不仅有英国发音和美式 发音，而且也有其他地区的，

such as Ireland or Jamaica.

像是爱尔兰和牙买加。

It also includes some regional UK and US accents.

它也包括一些英国和美国的地方口音。

This is really useful, because actually there isn’t just one UK pronunciation and one

这真的是有用的，因为实际上一个 单词不只是有一个英国发音

US pronunciation of a word.

和一个美国发音。

There are many English accents, in the UK, US and in other English-speaking countries,

在英国、美国和其他英语系 国家，有很多英语口音，

and it’s good to understand how pronunciation is different in different parts of the world.

理解世界上不同地方的发音 有什么差别是很好的。

So, maybe use Wordreference for the pronunciation audio, but I don’t recommend it as a dictionary.

所以，也许因为发音的音频而使用 Wordreferenc，但作为字典，我不推荐它。

I’ll keep this short: don’t use Chambers.

我会更简短些：不要使用钱伯斯字典。

Two points: first, they print information in a big block, like you’d find in a paper

两个观点：首先，他们在一个大的方块里 印信息，就像是您找到

dictionary.

一本纸本字典。

That makes sense on paper, because you need to save money and space.

那在纸上面是有道理的，因为 您需要省钱和空间。

On the web, there’s no reason to do this, and it makes it harder to find what you’re

在网络里，没理由要去做这个， 它会让您更难找到

looking for.

您要找的东西。

Secondly, Chambers doesn’t seem to be aimed at learners of English as a second language.

其次，钱伯斯字典看起来不像是针对那些把英语 作为第二语言的学习者而设计的。

It doesn’t give many examples, nor does it give information about verb complements,

它没有给出很多事例，也没有给出 关于动词补语、

phrasal verbs, and so on.

动词短语等等的信息。

You can’t look up phrasal verbs or other longer chunks directly.

您不能直接查找动词短语或 其他更长的文字块内容。

It’s not terrible; it does the basic job of a dictionary, but I can’t see any reason

那不可怕，那是一本字典的基本功用， 但是我看不到任何

to use it.

使用它的理由。

Merriam-Webster also doesn’t have much to recommend it.

梅里安—韦伯斯特字典也没有 太多要推荐的。

One major disadvantage: it doesn’t give complete lists of phrasal verbs, idioms or

一个主要的缺点：当您查找一个单词时， 它没有给出完整的

collocations when you look up a word.

动词短语、成语或搭配清单。

For 'talk', it includes four phrases here, but why these four?

以“talk”来说，在这里，它包括四个 短语，但是，为什么是这四个？

Why not others?

为什么不是其他的？

This seems strange; if you’re going to include some phrasal verbs or idioms, you should include

这看起来奇怪，即使您要包括一些 动词短语或成语，您应当

all of them.

包括它们所有的。

There’s no information on UK versus US pronunciation or usage.

没有英国发音对比美式发音 或用法的信息。

There’s also no information on verb complements.

在动词补语方面也没有信息。

They give examples, but the examples aren’t full sentences, making them less useful.

它们给出例子，但是，例子不是完整 句子，使得它们没那么有用。

Finally, the design is weird.

最后，设计是奇怪的。

There are all these colons and slashes in odd places.

在奇怪的地方有所有 这些冒号和斜线。

Maybe that doesn’t bother you, but I found it unnecessary and a little confusing.

也许那不会打扰您，但是，我觉得那 没必要，并有一点小困惑。

On the other hand, you can look up phrasal verbs and idioms directly.

另一方面，您可以直接查找 动词短语和成语。

Also, it has real-life examples which are pulled from the internet, although they aren’t

此外，它还有从网络上提取的现实 生活中的例子，尽管它们

always accurately classified.

不是总是准确地分类的。

For example, some of the examples for ‘talk’ as a verb are actually the noun form.

例如， “talk”做动词的事例里有 一些实际上是名词形式。

Having reviewed these dictionaries, I’ve switched my go-to online dictionary from Cambridge

检查了这些字典，我自己使用的 网络字典从剑桥字典转换到

to Longman and Lexico.

朗文字典和牛津字典。

Honestly, I was surprised at how badly Cambridge came out of these tests.

老实地说，我对剑桥字典在这些 测试里被测出有多么糟糕很吃惊。

Although I think Longman is the best, I would actually recommend Lexico for most purposes.

尽管我认为朗文字典是最好的，为了大多数 用途，我实际上应该会推荐牛津字典。

It gives you complete information, and it’s so easy to use.

它给您完整的信息， 并且它很容易使用。

What about you?

那您呢？

Which dictionary do you use?

您使用哪一个字典？

Are you planning to switch to a new one?

您计划换用一个新的字典吗？

Do you have anything to add to our reviews?

您对我们的评论有任何要补充的吗？

Let us know in the comments!

写在评论栏里让我们知道！

Thanks for watching!

感谢观看！