Dictionaries and Thesauri

 
How to use online dictionaries effectively - Click here

YahooEdu.

Fast & easy to use; Enter Spanish or English word;
Latin American Spanish.

Tomísimo™

Excellent Latin American words

Dictionary.com

Fast & easy to use; Usually provides 1 term; pop-ups

SpanDict.com

Quick and easy. has ads

FreeDict.com

Fast & easy to use; Only gives 1 definition; lots of ads
Mostly Spain.

WordReference

Includes some sentences/phrases; a little confusing at first; Mostly Spain.

Cambridge

Requires 2 to 3 step process; Has dictionary entries/definitions;Spain and some Latin America

Other Dictionaries/Thesauri 
Picture Dictionary 

Lenguaje.com (thesaurus)

OnlineDictionary 

Topical Dictionary  

SpellCheck 

Medical Dictionary 


How to Use Online Dictionaries Effectively

It is often difficult to determine which word is most commonly used in Latin America or Spain by checking only one dictionary source.  Cross-checking the word in at least 3 dictionaries usually indicates one term as being more commonly used as the most common term.  For example, if one is looking for the Spanish word for bedroom, the first dictionary may show terms such as alcoba, recámara, dormitorio, or cuarto.  Checking several sources may indicate that dormitorio or alcoba is used more commonly in Spain, whereas recámara or cuarto may be used more commonly in Mexico or among Spanish-speaking Americans.