The Million Word Crossword Dictionary

by Stanley Newman and Daniel Stark

Book Overview

With more than 1,300,000 answers, this volume contains more than twice as many words as any other crossword dictionary. Meticulously compiled by two crossword professionals with a combined fifty years in the field and based on a massive analysis of current crosswords, there has never been a crossword dictionary with the breadth, depth, and currency of this one. From Jim Carrey to Sister Carrie, Homer Simpson to Homer's Iliad, the wide-ranging entries...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060517573
• ISBN13: 9780060517571
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Collins Reference
• Length: 1280 Pages
• Weight: 3.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 7.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A different crossword puzzle help book

I've had this book about 1 month now (at the time of writing this review), and although it's NOT a crossword book I use a lot, I've found it very useful when I've come across a clue to which I can not find an answer (and end up with a partially completed word). A few comments on how the book works: 1.)This book assumes you have a least two letters (in any position) of ANY 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 letter word and then proceeds to give you ALL possible combinations of words (answers) that would fit with the letters you already have. For example, if you had a seven-letter answer with the second letter being H and the sixth letter being C, and appearing on your crossword page as *H***C*, this book will suggest the words CHALICE and PHYSICS, the proper names EHRLICH and SHYLOCK, and the phrase THIN ICE as possible answers. 2.)To help make the book easier to use, all letter combinations are listed alphabetically; this listing method allows you to quickly find the letters you have and their positions within a word. For example, all four letter words using at least one 'A' and one 'B' would be found listed initially under AB**, then A*B*, then A**B, then *AB*, *A*B etc. until all A & B combos were exhausted. And so on with all the rest of the letters in the alphabet. 3.)As you might imagine, some of the words listed as possible answers can be very unfamiliar looking. So to try to help this situation, the authors have developed a 'Glossary' (at the end of this book) that has 24,000+ words in it; words initially found in the main answer section. Each of these words, has a short definition to help explain the meaning of these 'unfamiliar answers', to help you determine if the word fits your crossword definition. Surprisingly, this section turned out to be much more useful and helpful than I thought it would be. Only one minor concern: This book is big and heavy (1269 pages), so toting this volume around is cumbersome to say the least. And finally this...the number of possible combos for some of the potential answers can, in some cases, be VERY extensive. So it really helps (especially with six and seven letter words), to have more than just two letters available, as this will narrow your search down significantly. It becomes obvious that the more letters you have to start with, the smaller and easier the search required. Conclusion: For anyone who enjoys tougher crosswords, this unusual ANSWER book is a perfect fit when combined with 'The Million Dollar Crossword DICTIONARY Book'. This book offers the potential solution to many obscure crossword clues that your regular definition dictionary may be unable to find. The only caveat is that you do have to have at least two letters in the word that is giving you trouble; but with this minimum information this book will be a definite asset. 5 Stars. P.S. I must admit to being somewhat taken aback but the number of 1 and 2 star reviews found here. It appears that many bought this book without taking the t

Excellent Aide

After going through a number of less useful crossword dictionaries, I have been using the past edition of this book for three years. I find it to be the most thorough and helpful. As the past edition aged I did find there were more current listings I was seeking that were not included, so this new edition has been eagerly awaited and appreciated. I can't imagine a more comprehensive crossword aide. I'm 100% happy with it.

Finding the Missing Link

The Million Word Crossword Answer Book fills the 'missing links' when you can't find the word you are looking for! It works hand in hand with the Million Word Crossword Dictionary and is a winning combination. Wish I'd had this long ago especially where it comes to movies and that type of info. It really is good!!!

The Million Word Crossword Dictionary

I absolutely love this book. It has helped me to finish crosswords that I otherwise couldn't. It is the most comprehensive dictionary of it's kind that I've seen (and I own quite a few). Now I don't need them anymore. I especially like the format. Not only are words listed giving the number of letters, but if a clue is blank something, or something blank (ex., Sao---, or ---nova) this dictionary has a listing for it. It also includes popular movies and songs, actors, and other famous people, winners of awards, ex. nobel prize winners. It is definitely the best of its kind around. It isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. I gave this to my father-in-law for a birthday gift, as he is also into crosswords and he loved it too.

A MUST HAVE FOR ALL PUZZLERS

Crossword puzzles are popular than ever. A newspaper just isn't complete without one. Authors use them as a backdrop in their mysteries. In addition, the crossword obsession is often spoofed in movies and on TV shows. They are a part of our everyday world.Die-hard puzzlers will come to value _The Million Word Crossword Dictionary_. I'm not a die-hard puzzler, but I can appreciate the hard work that has gone into it. Comprehensive doesn't cover the amount of content in this 1268 page dictionary. Although the print is small, it is set up in an easy to read manner. The book offers words for single and double words. It includes typical words as well as celebrities, artists, authors, chemists, noblest, slang, popular phrases, movie titles, etc. Moreover, if you don't find what you are looking for, you can contact the authors through the snail mail or email addresses included in the book.