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

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Stardict (no longer maintained)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)

Lingoes

(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.