I have been using a very useful and free dictionary program called WordWeb for years. WordWeb is a dictionary and thesaurus that runs in the background and can be used in any program. WorWeb includes

• Definitions and synonyms
• Proper nouns
• Related words
• 150 000 root words
• 120 000 synonym sets
• Fixed web reference tabs
• and new for version 5.00: Pronunciations

Let me show you how useful this program is with an example. After the program is downloaded and installed, the WordWeb icon will appear in the system tray (the system tray is in the lower right hand corner of your desktop by default).

There are two ways to use the dictionary.

1. Highlight a word and then click the icon.

or

2. Open the program and type in the word you want to look up.

I will show you how to use the first and in my opinion, the most useful.

When you come across a word, say while reading your favorite blog, simply highlight the word by clicking the word.

Once the word is highlighted, go to the system tray and click the WordWeb icon. The program will now open and the word that you have chosen will appear.

With just two clicks, you will have a great deal of information about the word in question. In the upper pane is the definition and in the lower pane are several options such as nearest synonyms, parts, type, etc.

One the the best features that is new in version 5.0 is the ability to hear the pronunciation by clicking the speaker in the upper right corner of the window.

Keep in mind, although this is a great tool, that it is not a spell checker.

WordWeb can be downloaded for free at http://wordweb.info/

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