Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

This is an outstanding thesaurus in just about every respect. I have several different versions on my shelf, but this is the one I reach for every time. I have yet to look up a word and not find it (as has happened with the other versions). It's formatted like a dictionary, meaning there are synonyms listed for each meaning/definition of the word, making it easy to find the *right* synonym for how you intended to use it. In addition, each definition includes a sentence (in italics) to demonstrate how the word is typically used. Personally, I find that really helpful. It's also very comprehensive, often listing words AND phrases that I don't find in other references or from an online thesaurus (which I also frequently use, simply for convenience). I've also found that the suggested synonyms are more closely related to one another, unlike the online version which seems to cast a really wide net when it comes to synonyms. I get more accurate and more descriptive words with this book than I do with any other source. The thesaurus also includes "extras" that ordinarily I would probably never even glance at, but in this case actually find helpful. The thematic lists are limited, but if you just need a random example (like a specific breed of dog or butterfly) then it's easier than wading through google. And, if you want to pepper your work with spiffy latin phrases or archaic words, then those lists makes it really easy to sound far more intelligent than you actually are. And yes, I'll admit it - I've even skimmed the grammar section at the back. Damned commas. A note on the "stories" - yes, there are lots of "notes" and "quotes" interspersed throughout the book. Personally, I enjoy them and find them informative. Most of them are just odds & ends - funky "word links" you've never heard of or clever quotes, but they're entertaining in a Trivial Pursuit kind of way and don't get in the way of looking something up. Honestly, if you take the time to read them you actually learn something and it does add to your overall understanding of whatever you just looked up - at least it does for me. Overall, I'm more than satisfied with this thesaurus. Well worth the expensive price tag IMO.

Absolutely the best thesaurus for readers and writers on the market. Excellent tool for building vocabulary and putting new words to use. I use it every day.

I've always relied on traditional thesauri, online and in print, though I love having a hard-cover thesaurus to keep on my desk as an active reference. I was looking for an alternative to thesaurus.com and the built-in thesaurus on my MacBook when I came across different writer's thesauri on Amazon. After reading the reviews, I put this on my Christmas wish list, and was excited to receive it from my family. It is very different from a standard thesaurus but is an excellent supplement. I find it is the resource I first reach to when I am writing non-fiction and fiction. Not only is there context given for various uses of a word, but there are connotations given as well - the subtle differences of synonyms that are often missed. There are also slang and a few (noted) archaic uses. Periodically, there are insets of a group of common misused groups of synonyms focusing on context and connotation. Is it perfect? Like any reference book, it misses a few things. I wish there was an online version to make it faster to follow a word tree, but I love having it on my writing desk, ready to explore when needed. An excellent addition to any writer's toolkit, even business writers.

A thesaurus is like a dictionary on steroids. Definitions are often found through synonyms, and this thesaurus in particular is awesome. I'm a horticulturist and gardener, but I find that involves a lot of researching, writing, and sharing information. In order to sound more professional and expand my vocabulary, I've used an online thesaurus. But those have limitations. Like any good reference book held in the hands of any ADHD individual, looking for a word in a book becomes a rambling adventure in itself. Like the title says, I've exploited this book in more discreet instances than any of my other books since it arrived into my library. It is more complete than other thesaurus's I own and it includes some interesting appendixes for curious minds.

Each craft has tools. This by far is one I use frequently.

As a writer, I need words. Sometimes I need THAT word. Thus, the thesaurus. This is a good one. In just a few months it has sparked many word changes (for the better, I think). There are lots of resources online, many free. Why buy this book? It is a different source, for one. I like multiple sources. The online results are sometimes great, sometimes worm food. And, you can make marginal notes in a book -- notes that will be there the next time you're in the neighborhood. Every writer should have a thesaurus, and this one is good. Write well.

I am not a writer but I understand what the editors were attempting to accomplish here: a thesaurus by writers for writers. It looks to me that they have achieved their goal since I get the impression that they have anticipated the common objections to the traditional Roget thesaurus format and addressed them, with some twists of their own. It's a brilliant idea and I'll keep this book because of that. I did wish though that there were more “word links.” It's a good tool since most of the time the word I'm looking for is only tangentially related to the only clue word I have. Incidentally, this is where a traditional Roget thesaurus really shines: hunting for that elusive word when all you have for a clue is its cousin 10 times removed. What bothered me was the printing error. In almost all pages I saw text with a double image, as if blurred (see photo). It's likely that the plates misaligned during ink transfer. It's a good thing that they used high quality paper and a good sized font. So, even with some blurring it's still legible. But the sheer number of these makes me reluctant to recommend it, even though the book's content itself is quite good.

This was a Christmas gift for an author. She loved it and commented last week (after owning it for 3 months) that it is useful... a great reference... and that it has many useful features for her craft! I love it when a gift can make such a difference!