Hi this online dictionary is useful English / Chinese words , conversion , given names, family names, dictionary quick exposition about Chinese words. www.chinapage.com/english-chinese.html

I like Webster.com the best because it includes pronunciation and etymology. and , Consolidation dictionary search engine is useful for me and IDIC & EBpocket as one of Iphone-application is useful in offline occastion . http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idic/id296182377?mt=8

Start with a basic dictionary, in the style of the English you want to speak (American, British, etc). You'll know this by the publisher. Collins and Oxford are British publishers; Mirriam-Webster is American; in Australia our standard dictionary is Macquarie. Usually the dictionaries will acknowledge alternate spellings and expressions, but this will help you maintain a consistent version of English. Following on from that, find a thesaurus. And from there... well, your choice really. Technical dictionaries, slang dictionaries, rhyming dictionaries - but do find an etymological dictionary, they're very useful! The full Oxford English Dictionary will cover this, in fact.

Durk, Here are my favorite dictionaries. All of these can be found on CD. -The 20 volume Oxford English Dictionary....the best English dictionary in the world.... The problem with this dictionary is that it is only revised about every 30 years, so you will also need.... -The Concise Oxford Dictionary....this smaller version is updated frequently -The 3rd edition Merriam-Webster unabridged.....the best American dictionary, like its British counterpart, is not frequently revised, so you will need... -The Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary....which is frequently updated. Good luck!