The best online English dictionary?

[waht]

I need to quote and cite from an online English dictionary. There is so many, I'm looking for the most credible, or does it really matter?

 

[Vanadium 50]

The OED is online. Can't get more credible than that. It is not, however, free. Or even cheap. It's $30/month in North America.

 

[waht]

wow, for that price I'm sure it is, I'll check if the univ is subscribed.

 

[rootX]

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/about.asp

I didn't know Cambridge Press is that old (1584-present) http://www.cambridge.org/emea/.

Off topic but interesting that many of the oldest universities are from Middle East (i.e. before 1100s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_universities_in_continuous_operation

 

[Moonbear]

I don't usually notice much difference in the definitions provided from one dictionary to the next. The usual difference I notice is just whether or not some words are included.

 

[Evo]

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/about.asp

I didn't know Cambridge Press is that old (1584-present) http://www.cambridge.org/emea/.

Off topic but interesting that many of the oldest universities are from Middle East (i.e. before 1100s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_universities_in_continuous_operation

It depends on if you want British English or American English. Oxford is great for British English, but Merriam-Webster would be the best for American English.

www.m-w.com