Table of Contents

Preface to the Third Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction
How to Use This Dictionary
Key to the Pronunciations
Key to the Abbreviations
The New Oxford American Dictionary
Ready Reference (in center)
Illustration Credits (at back)

Reviews

"It runs more than 2,000 pages and weighs upward of 800 pounds, so will need one forklift or three sumo wrestlers to hoist it, but you will love this gorilla once you get to know it."--James Kilpatrick, "Writers Life"
"Includes some unique and useful extras."--School Library Journal Curriculum Connections
"NOAD is an eminently usable dictionary with an attractive layout; clear, crisp illustrations; usage guidance; and synonyms with connotations. Sure to be everyone's favorite dictionary! Summing up: Essential."--Choice
"More current than its closest rival in size....This is a 'buy.'"--Booklist STARRED REVIEW
"Erudite, accessible....If you're looking for a desk dictionary that covers the spectrum of American English, with a fair quantity of encyclopaedic information thrown in, you could do a lot worse." --World Wide Words
"Ms. McKean had been dubbed "America's lexicographical sweetheart" by National Public Rasio's program "Talk of the Nation.""--The New York Times
Reviews for the previous edition: "The gold standard of American dictionaries."--The Providence Journal
"With its unique approach to language, this is easy to use and provides clear, well-written definitions. "--Library Journal.
"Oxford has always been so good at dictionaries, and lexicographical publishing needs a boost after Random House suddenly abandoned the field.... I'd give the New Oxford American Dictionary to a person looking for a quick answer."--William Safire, The New York Times.
"In both definitions & pronounciations the dictionary emphasizes American English.... This is a useful quick-reference type of dictionary."--Houston Chronicle
"The New Oxford American Dictionary offers the most dependable reference information."--Seattle Times.
"Utilizing the latest techniques for analyzing word usage and meaning, the editors have compiled more than 250,000 definitions and 9000 biographical and geographical entries in an accessible resource with a distinctly American voice....An understated presentation exuding precision and authority, it is an essential tool."--School Library Journal [STARRED REVIEW]
"One of the best American-English dictionaries to come out in several years...This is a handy and not overly expensive dictionary to have on hand at the reference desk of academic and public libraries."--American Reference Book Annual 2002
"Its editor, Erin McKean, is, according to American newspaper reports, the hippest and sexiest lexicographer around. It's also the first such work... with an electronic edition accessible on the road, since it can be downloaded to your Palm, Blackberry, or Windows mobile device."--World Wide Words
"Unrivaled etymological information revealing fascinating word histories."--Tampa Tribune
"A labor of love and an unparalelled gift to writers and readers worldwide, the New Oxford American Dictionary should be on the reference shelf of every library." - Library Journal
"Remains true to its initial concent of being an easy-to-use single volume of words that reflect today's soceity...Recommended." --Choice