Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary
The Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary arrived in 1987 with a radical approach to defining words. Instead of short phrases, it used full sentences to explain meanings. This method aimed to show how words functioned within actual language use. The dictionary drew example sentences from a large corpus of real-world usage data. Almost every meaning of every word received an accompanying example sentence. This strategy shifted the focus from abstract definitions to practical application for learners.
HarperCollins released the first edition as the Collins COBUILD English Language Dictionary in 1987. A second edition followed in 1995 under the name Collins COBUILD Learner's Dictionary. The third edition appeared in 2001 and was titled Collins COBUILD English Dictionary for Advanced Learners. Publishers renamed the fourth edition in 2003 to Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. The fifth edition launched in 2006 as Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. The sixth edition returned to the title Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary in 2008. Subsequent versions included the seventh edition in 2012 and the eighth edition in 2014. The ninth edition arrived in 2018 while the tenth edition reached shelves in 2023.
Most editions of this dictionary featured phonetic transcriptions based on the International Phonetic Alphabet. These symbols helped users pronounce words correctly across different regions. The sixth edition stands out as an exception that omitted these transcriptions from its pages. All other print versions maintained the IPA system throughout their entries. This standard provided a consistent guide for learners seeking accurate pronunciation guidance. The absence in one specific edition marked a notable deviation from the series norm.
Publishers began including digital versions on CD-ROM alongside traditional book formats during certain publication periods. Users could access electronic files directly from the physical package they purchased. This hybrid approach bridged the gap between printed reference books and emerging computer technology. The inclusion varied across different years and specific releases of the dictionary. Some buyers received both the paper volume and the software disc together. Others obtained only the printed text depending on the version available at the time.
The original Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary lacked sufficient definitions for American English speakers. To address this gap, HarperCollins created a specialized equivalent titled Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary of American English. This new title first appeared in 2006 to serve American learners specifically. A second edition followed in 2016 while the third edition arrived in 2023. These adaptations ensured that users in North America received content tailored to their dialect. The main series continued focusing primarily on British English conventions.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was the Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary first released?
The Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary arrived in 1987 with a radical approach to defining words. HarperCollins released the first edition as the Collins COBUILD English Language Dictionary in 1987.
What is the difference between the Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary and other dictionaries?
Instead of short phrases, it used full sentences to explain meanings. This method aimed to show how words functioned within actual language use by drawing example sentences from a large corpus of real-world usage data.
Which edition of the Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary omitted phonetic transcriptions?
The sixth edition stands out as an exception that omitted these transcriptions from its pages. All other print versions maintained the International Phonetic Alphabet system throughout their entries.
Did the Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary include digital versions on CD-ROM?
Publishers began including digital versions on CD-ROM alongside traditional book formats during certain publication periods. Some buyers received both the paper volume and the software disc together while others obtained only the printed text depending on the version available at the time.
When did the Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary of American English launch?
This new title first appeared in 2006 to serve American learners specifically. A second edition followed in 2016 while the third edition arrived in 2023.