Forum: Author Hangout

Yeah, I routinely use each of those, though most of WordHippo's are overly vague, often similar, rather than true synonyms, so searching through their listings can be frustrating (I normally scan the first several, as after those, they're rarely useful.

I've always found, that clicking on a normal thesaurus' synonym's, often leads to more accurate synonyms for your original inquiry.

Also, traditional dictionaries and thesauruses often exclude a whole LOT of the informal references, so another handy references is Urban Dictionary. Also, it's always important to differentiate between American, Imperial, Australian and British language variations (if it's necessary) as the meanings can often vary from one English dialect to another.

I actually have two separate versions of Webster's Dictionaries, Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged (1968), a two volume set, and Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary (2003). Each of those individual volumes are easily a stone each (i.e. 20lb.), more nearly 40lb., which makes them impractical for keeping nearby while working on a laptop. ;)

I have a paper weight like that. It is Websters Third New International Dictionary, which was copyrighted in 1986.

It is old and does not have all the recent words that have been created, however, it satisfies the majority of my needs for I am even older. It addresses the vocabulary that I usually use in writing. If I need information for one of those newer words, I always have the internet.

I wasn't seriously looking for synonyms. It was just an experiment

I meant that's how I get synonyms (and definitions, btw). With Google reather than going to a specific dictionary or thesaurus.

So I search on "word definition" or "word synonym. Usually simply typing "def" or "syn" gets the correct one listed so I just click on it. Any time I can save keystrokes, I do.

I also use Google for finding strong verbs instead of using adverbs. I might search on "what's a word for running fast".

Sometimes I even use Google to help describe something, like an angry face. I might google: "what does a person's face look like when they get angry". Here's part of one answer Google AI gave me for an angry face: "a furrowed brow, thinned lips, flared nostrils, and sometimes raised cheekbones and a pushed-out chin"

Google is my friend when writing.