The comparisons of Online Dictionaries There are six types of online dictionaries. They are: Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, Collins, Longman (Dictionary of Contemporary English), Cambridge Dictionary, and Oxford Dictionaries. Merriam-Webster is the only online dictionaries indicated with starting year, which is 1828. Among all dictionaries, I myself prefer Merriam-Webster online dictionaries, either on PC or on my cell phone. The explanation given by this website is clear and precise. It provide two definitions for one particular word, which are simple definitions and full definitions. The example of using a word is provided in sentence, gives reader a clearer view of how to use that word. For Merriam-Webster online dictionaries, usually there is a sound icon for reader to click on to listen how the word is spelled. Longman dictionaries on the other hand, I consider it as the most simplest dictionaries that you would ever want to look the meaning of a word for. Not all the words are provided with sound icons for reader to click on to listen how it should be pronounced. If there is, the reader required to download it, which I feel is a waste of time and space for the PC memory. Cambridge dictionaries considered as good online dictionaries. There are two types of sound pronunciation provided in this website. One is UK, another one is US. The definition is clear, but the examples is a bit to simple for reader to understand how that particular word can be applied in other areas. The interface design for Oxford dictionaries is not as nice as Cambridge dictionaries and Merriam-Webster. The definition is not as precise as Merriam-Webster, and examples given is more plain and simple. This website provide the origin or the source of the word, where gives reader an idea of how the word started in use. Collins dictionary is simple online dictionaries that you could share on social media such as facebook and twitter.It also have a graph shown to indicate the frequency use of the word throughout the years. Dictionary.com is an online dictionary that provide world map and indicate the location and origin of the word that a reader search the meaning for. The design interface is not very attractive, but the definition given is clear and precise. It is an online dictionary that I would use to search for words meaning other than Merriam-Webster.