English
Background / Story of my English learning experience
First of all, good utilities and methodologies are the key to success. Being a non-native English speaker, I started learning English at the age of 9 which is grade/year 5 in primary school. I had the passion and probably some gift for learning languages. I was lucky to win 1st prize in a top level English Contest held in Shanghai back 1992. Appeared on TV and newspaper (but they got my name wrong LMAO - so it didn't happen...), that was unforgettable and unique experience and in my early life which had positive impact/influence on the life long journey, it helped to shape up my learning characteristic (passion driven) to some extent.
Last but not least, tools are the lever, your passion is the real driving force moving forward, good luck.
NOTE: The goal for this page is to provide a consistent dictionary (English - English) experience across all platform and devices.
Online Dictionaries
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDOCE 6th)
Oxford Advanced Learners' Dictionary (OALD 10th)
English Grammar
Dictionary Software
Linux
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5th (LDOCE5 for GNU/Linux) - XUL based UI
In the DVD-ROM, there is installer for GNU/Linux and Mac OS X in addition to the Windows version! Buy LDOCE 5th Paper+DVD for just less than 20 pound from book depository.
GoldenDict (Qt based)
- StarDict dictionaries, or MDict format
- Add the dictionaries via GUI, per-user data in ~/.goldendict
Stardict (no longer maintained)
Stardict is a cross platform dictionary app. Offers a lot of dictionaries free of charge.
To install dictionaries, do this:
tar -jxvf a.tar.bz2
mv a /usr/share/stardict/dic
macOS
Recommended: GoldenDict for macOS (GitHub)
Install GoldenDict via hombrew cask
brew cask install goldendict --verbose
Load Stardict or Mdict format or other compatible dictionary data files as you wish.
Built-in Dictionary in macOS (since Leopard 10.5). Check this page for more details: dictionary
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5th (LDOCE5 for Mac OS X)
macOS version included in the DVD-ROM, there is installer for GNU/Linux and macOS in addition to the Windows version! Buy LDOCE 5th Paper+DVD for just less than 20 pound from book depository.
Mac Dictionary Kit (conver Mdict format)
Path: ~/Library/Dictionaries
Windows
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English on CD (Bundled with LDOCE paperback)
GoldenDict
Eudic
Kingsoft Powerword 2009 Oxford Version (88 CNY)
Kingsoft Powerword 2007 with customized OLAD
Google Powerword (free client from Kingsoft)
Collins Cobuild 4th Edition
Oxford Advanced Learners' Dictionary 7th Edition on CD (Linux install scripts seen on the disc but I haven't tried.)
Stardict for Windows
Babylon (very good dictionary app on Windows)
(Free app similar to Babylon, but it's free!!!)
Mobile Devices
CyanogenMod / Android
GoldenDict (Android native, best)
Eudic for Android
iOS
Eudic for iOS
youdao for iOS
weDict/weDict Pro
Prerequisites:
Jailbreak (PWN) and download the Pro from somewhere. The free edition's performance is not very good for some reason.
How to use Stardict Dictionaries for weDict: weDict
Paid apps in App Store:
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5th
Concise Oxford English Dictionary
Collins Pro English Dictionary
New Oxford American Dictionary
Legacy devices - Palm Treo (Palm OS)
Zdic
Windows Mobile
Mdict
Zdic dictionaries are compatible.