Oxford English Dictionary
The historical English dictionary
An unsurpassed guide for researchers in any discipline to the meaning, history, and usage of over 500,000 words and phrases across the English-speaking world.
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Glossaries, abbreviations, pronunciation guides, frequency, symbols, and more
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Word of the day
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Word stories
Read our collection of word stories detailing the etymology and semantic development of a wide range of words, including ‘dungarees’, ‘codswallop’, and ‘witch’.
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Word lists
Access our word lists and commentaries on an array of fascinating topics, from film-based coinages to Tex-Mex terms.
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World Englishes
Explore our World Englishes hub and access our resources on the varieties of English spoken throughout the world by people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
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History of English
Here you can find a series of commentaries on the History of English, charting the history of the English language from Old English to the present day.