A good learner's dictionary is a fundamental tool for a language learner, having the same dictionary on his or her computer is equally fundamental when that 'language learner' becomes a 'second language user'.

Most are bundled with the paper version, but some are sold as stand-alone products. A few are also available with a network licence.

All such dictionaries should be familiar: they should give the same information in the same way as the paper version does. But they should also take advantage of the possibilities inherent in the medium to present the same or additional content in new ways, using sound, images, video and advanced search functions. Most of the dictionaries listed here have extra sections designed for such content.

This section deals only with full-interface advanced learner's dictionaries available on CD-ROM. All other full-interface learner's dictionaries on CD-ROM are covered in the next section. Small-interface dictionaries, such as Oxford's Genie series, are dealt with in Quick Consultation Dictionaries on CD-ROM. Classic 'native speaker' dictionaries (on CD-ROM or otherwise) are beyond the scope of this site, though where no good learner's dictionaries exist or where there are interesting or useful products, I have sometimes included them.

General
My preference for intermediate students and above. The OALD on CD-ROM combines excellent lexicography with above average IT, and the exercises section is excellent, too.

How sold
As a stand alone product, either individually or in a ten-disk pack. No network licence.

ISBNs
Single-user licence: 0-19-436795-9
Ten-Disk Pack: 0-19-436796-7

Installation options
FULL: installs the entire dictionary, including multimedia.
TYPICAL: installation of dictionary text without multimedia, which can be consulted from the CD
BASIC: installation of interface alone, leaving the dictionary to be consulted from the CD

Multimedia

AUDIO: all headwords have a sound clip giving the pronunciation, and have more than one when there is an alternative pronunciation or noticeable difference in US speech. It is possible to record one's own pronunciation and compare it to that on the CD.

IMAGES: the OALD on CD-ROM integrates the functions of a picture dictionary with its traditional text, so there are large numbers of drawings and photos used to illustrate vocabulary. Maps contextualise geographical information.

VIDEO: over 80 short videos illustrating facial expressions and other verbs.

Extra features

Special search functions: You can call a definition from inside another application using Ctrl-8. Advanced search functions allow basic Boolean and wild-card searches (AND, OR, NOT, ? and * are supported) and it is possible to apply numerous filters and to restrict a search to certain types (e.g. in the examples).

3-D Search: an experimental feature allowing you to visualise connections between words.

Exercises: each exercise consists of ten words to insert into ten sentences. The study-words are selected alphabetically within categories of nouns, verbs, adverbs, idioms and phrasal verbs. Right-clicking on any word (not just the study-words) brings up the appropriate entry from the dictionary text.
(Note. This section has been expanded since I wrote this.)

Games: there are three vocabulary building games.

Extras: these include phonetic symbols, irregular verbs, lists of names, topic pages and study sheets. Some of these extras contain information which aides a better understanding of the dictionary as a whole. Unfortunately they are not easily accessible in this section.

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Other information
The electronic OALD is published in three formats: CD-ROM, Genie CD-ROM and Web.

General
Very good value. The only dictionary listed here to include a thesaurus.

How sold
Bundled with either paperback or hardback, or sold separately with either single-user or network licence.

ISBNs:
Paperback with CD: 0521531063
Hardback with CD: 0521824230
Single-user licence with CD: 0521531071
30-user network licence with CD: 052153108X

Installation options
FULL: installs the entire dictionary, including multimedia. Takes up 660MB
MODIFIED: installation of dictionary text without pronunciations, which can be consulted with the CD in the drive. Takes up 200MB

Multimedia

AUDIO: all headwords have two sound clips giving the pronunciation in British and American English, but variations are only given in phonetic script. It is possible to record one's own pronunciation and compare it to that on the CD.

IMAGES: the CALD has numerous pictures (not photos) in a thematic section for vocabulary building.

Extra features

Special search functions: Advanced search allows six different filters to be applied, though you cannot select two items inside the same filter (prepositions and adverbs inside the part-of-speech filter, for example). Boolean operators are not supported but wild-card searches with * (zero or more letters) and ? (exactly one letter) are possible.

QUICKfind: The CALD quick-consultation interface is integrated with the main dictionary. It opens in a new small window which stays on top of your open pages and looks up words as you pass your mouse over them. It will also 'read' individual words if you have automatic sound enabled.

SUPERwrite: the QUICKfind window alternates with the similar SUPERwrite feature, which is designed to give you immediate access to the vocabulary information you need as you write.

Exercises: there are numerous interactive exercises related to the study sheets and images.

Study pages: these are pdf sheets with notes both on language topics like vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, and on thematic vocabulary areas.

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General
The strength of this dictionary is the integrated corpus and intuitive cross-referencing between the various sections. It is less like an electronic equivalent of a paper dictionary. The interface is pleasing and intuitive, but the definitions are rather vague and more like explanations.

How sold
Bundled with either paperback or hardback. The CD-ROM resource pack also integrates electronic versions of Collins COBUILD Guide to English Usage, Collins COBUILD English Grammar and a thesaurus.
Note: the standard version of the CD-ROM - on which these observations are based - also contains basic information on usage and grammar, as well as giving synonyms and antonyms, but does not include these extra titles. It takes up 56MB less.

ISBNs:
Paperback with CD: 0-00-715800-9
Hardback with CD: 0-00-715799-1
CD-ROM Resource Pack: 0-00-716921-3

Installation options
FULL: installs the complete dictionary, including audio. Takes up 644MB
STANDARD: installation of dictionary text without audio, which can be consulted with the CD in the drive. Takes up 95MB
CD: runs entirely from the CD

Multimedia

AUDIO: headwords and also their variants have sound clips with in British English (or occasionally in American English if a particular word is considered American). There is a pronunciation practice feature.

Extra features

Special search functions: Because of the integrated corpus, special searches are more important in getting the most out of this dictionary. In the search dialogue box you can define additional search criteria for homophones, for morphological variants of a word and it lets you choose to search within the full text of the dictionary and corpus. With the later enabled, you can use basic Boolean operators (as either words or symbols). There are no filters, and wild cards are not supported.

The Bank of English: unlike the other CDs covered here, the Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's Dictionary has a mini-corpus (derived from the much bigger Bank of English) which integrates with the dictionary allowing thousands of examples to be consulted. Collins COBUILD also maintain an on-line Corpus Concordance and Collocation Sampler.

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