The Chambers Crossword Dictionary

I have given myself a challenge of learning how to solve cryptic crosswords. I jumped straight in at the deep, in fact the abyssal, end with the Times Cryptic crossword. Yes, not the wisest move, but hey, in for a penny, in for a pound as they say. I had been using a traditional thesaurus to aid me in my cryptic clue solving, but found them to be quite lacking, and so I searched Amazon for something more appropriate. I discovered this crossword dictionary, and so purchased the paperback edition.It is a powerful aid in solving cryptic crosswords. I love this crossword dictionary as not only does it have hundreds of thousands of words and reference lists, but it also has articles in it from some of the best cryptic crossword solvers and setters in the country. For example, Peter Biddlecombe, who is not only the cryptic crossword editor for The Sunday Times, but he is also twice winner of The Times cryptic crossword championship. So, this is a guy who knows what he is talking about. The aforementioned articles teach you how to solve cryptic clues, what to look for in clues, and also gives invaluable advice on how to recognise the various components and types of cryptic clue.The bulk of the dictionary contains words in a thesaurus type layout, but with the advantage of far more alternative words for each definition than a regular thesaurus has. The alternative renderings are also listed in order of the number of letters, another useful tool. It also contains information that will be extremely useful to cryptic crossword solvers, such as abbreviations and terms used, lists of names, peoples, events that setters often use to create the clues.This paperback version is of a good quality in binding and paper, and the print, though small, is not so small as to be unreadable to this short-sighted person.If, like me, you are teaching yourself how to solve cryptic crosswords, or you are a seasoned solver, then this crossword dictionary is a powerful weapon in your arsenal. Is it considered cheating to use one of these? In my opinion, no. It’s only cheating if, having used it, you pretend you solved the crossword with no aids at all.

Does what it says on the book!

Does what it says on the cover

Crosswords!

... (just the cover and all the X,Y & Z words pages!) after 5 years but better! Significantly more words now at the cost of a small reduction in print size but still easy for a 78 year old to read. Most importantly, the listing of words in length order and then alphabetically is there which is vital.Very happy to recommend, with no reservations.

I needed to replace my Thesaurous and spotted this while doing so. So glad I bought it, I am a crosswordaddict but sometimes need a bit of help. This is perfect, easy to use and so helpful.

Put anybody who does cryptic crosswords an absolute must all the best crossword books are published by Chambers they are, of course regularly updated. Our language is changing rapidly at the moment example satnav is in a v

This book may be ok for some people,but we found the print far too small to read,(if you are over 60 you may struggle with this print size, even with reading glasses). We returned it and Amazon refunded us, thank you Amazon. I re-ordered the "old" edition, which was a "good used copy" printed about 2002, (which we had had previously,but had worn this out),less words, but far, far better print size. Thank you Amazon.

Prompt delivery. To set and solve Cryptic Crossword Puzzles.

Good sturdy binding. Easy to read. A good help in doing crosswords. I appreciate since English is not my first language.

I returned this book as the print was too small for my 84yro mother to manage. I then purchased the Miriam Webster Large Print Crossword Dictionary- I am currently waiting on delivery of the Miriam Webster large print. Thankyou .

This is the 4th edition (2015) from British publishing house "Chambers Publishing Ltd" and to my delight and expectations it is compiled in English (not that awful American variant). Words such as "colour" ARE spelt correctly. The hardback binding appears normal, each small group of pages being sewn into the spine and the paper is of good quality, smooth and white. The binding, hence the book, should last through many years of hard work at home (or in an office).Headwords are printed in an 8 point typeface. The lists are in 7 point with an entirely adequate 7½ point line spacing. The typeface (Times Roman, or similar, for clarity) is very clear – even to my failing eyesight.The number of "headwords" appears to be in the region of 24,000 to 29,000 words (based on 958 pages with a possible average of 25 to 30 headwords a page (triple columns). Chambers claims a bit in excess of 500,000 solutions.This volume, in addition to various informative Foreword sections, has two very good introductory guides to cryptic puzzles (I now look forward to some challenges in that realm) and features various lists that are absent in lesser volumes. Headwords such as "sheep" commence with the usual word-length order lists of synonyms, followed by separate word-length lists of the types of, in this case, "sheep". Even the word "cat" has an additional category of "famous cats", by name e.g. "Garfield".Yes, slightly expensive compared with paperbacks, but this should last "years" rather than "one year" – also, it is in "English", not "American".As seems to be common in the world of dictionaries, there is a lack of "uniformity", meaning that synonyms found under one "headword" are not necessarily listed as "headwords" elsewhere in their own right. With modern computerisation, this could be done quite easily (Chambers please take note!).Overall, I am looking forward greatly to using this new dictionary which arrived on my doorstep only two hours ago. It replaces an atrocious US English paperback that is falling to bits.

To start with, the dictionary is a joy to use for anyone who likes books - the feel of fine paper, the heft: solid, but not too heavy to handle. Who knew that a chimney is a "lum" (Scottish)? Not found in an American dictionary. Check out the definition for "eclair" when you receive your Chambers, which I sincerely hope you will purchase.