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Top 10 Best Spanish Dictionaries in the UK 2020 (Oxford, Larousse and More)

Top 10 Best Spanish Dictionaries in the UK 2020 (Oxford, Larousse and More)

Spanish is not only one of the world’s most spoken languages, it’s also one of the most fun to learn. Spoken in both Europe and Latin America, the Spanish language gives you access to rich traditions from dance and food to outstanding classic and modern literature. And what better way to get to grips with the language than by using a good old Spanish dictionary?

There are lots of great options online, from children’s paperback dictionaries for school to reliable hardback tomes produced by well-respected publishers like Oxford and Collins. Whether it’s a pocket Spanish dictionary you’re after or a dictionary with images illustrating essential Spanish verbs, our guide and product recommendations from Amazon and eBay will help you find what you need.

Last updated: 04-11-2020
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Spanish Dictionary in the UK – Buying Guide

If you’ve decided you want something solid you can put on the bookshelf as well as any online resources you may use, it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of different dictionary types. Take a look at our guidelines for help selecting something that will come in handy time and again.

Choose a Dictionary Based on Your Level of Spanish

The top consideration when purchasing a brand new Spanish dictionary is your level as a learner. If you’re just starting out, there are some terrific options on the market that will be better suited to your needs than someone more advanced who is using Spanish at degree level or for work.

Beginner to Intermediate: Simpler Dictionaries With Less Vocabulary Will Be Sufficient

If you are just at the beginning of your Spanish adventure, a dictionary with just high-frequency words will be useful without feeling intimidating. It may also be a little bit cheaper and also lighter; so easier to carry and store, but will still give you an excellent grounding in the language.

There are even specialist dictionaries for school students, which are wonderful if you or your child is studying for a Spanish qualification, but these books will of course have simpler definitions that may be insufficient for students in higher education.

Intermediate to Advanced: Pick a More Comprehensive Dictionary With Detailed Definitions

If you regularly speak advanced Spanish (at work, for example) or you're studying Spanish at University, you will probably need a standard large dictionary as the gaps in your vocabulary become fewer and further between, and you need to search for rare terms and colloquial phrases.

In this case, it’s probably best to invest in a classic dictionary from a publisher like Oxford University Press or Collins, as these trusted names promise an unrivalled quality of research and the most succinct, accurate definitions. Such dictionaries aren’t exclusively for experts though, as they can be of use to students of Spanish at every level.

Select Additional Content Based on Your Learning Preferences and Language Usage

Nowadays, many Spanish dictionaries come with added extras or a particular spin on the straightforward theme of vocabulary. Pick a specialist dictionary or one with a separate section that seems useful to you; it could be travel plans, your learning style or another linguistic element.

Dictionaries Combined With a Phrasebook Are Perfect for Travel or Living Abroad

If you’re buying a dictionary with a particular trip or series of work trips in mind, it might be worthwhile selecting one with a phrasebook included.

Dictionaries with this helpful addition will typically have a special section with basic Spanish phrases; from ‘Buenos días’ to – importantly – ‘¿Cuanto vale una cerveza?’' and are a good way to kill two birds with one book, so to speak, saving valuable suitcase space.

Some Books Contain a Grammar Section to Practice Verb Conjugation

Another good option for beginner to intermediate learners of Spanish is a dictionary which also comes with grammar explanations or tables.

This way, you get a bit more insight into the conjugations of the verbs you’re looking up, and a more comprehensive understanding of the use of words, rather than just their spelling. And once again, this will be handy if you're taking your dictionary abroad and don't fancy carrying several language books with you.

Interested in Pronunciation? Pick a Dictionary With a Phonemic Guide or Pronunciation Tips

As well as a definition, some dictionaries also give a guide to pronouncing the word. If you are familiar with the phonemic chart, which uses special symbols to illustrate pronunciation (‘word’ is written as /’wɜ:d/ for example), choose a dictionary which explains pronunciation as such.

If that chart leaves you baffled, many dictionaries include a second version of the word written phonetically (for example, the English word ‘queen’ would be written ‘kween’). Choose a book with this kind of explanation for simplicity and clarity.

Finally, there are dictionaries which have a pronunciation guide at the front of the book, rather than beside individual words. This is perfectly sufficient for students of Spanish as the pronunciation patterns are extremely regular.

Illustrated Dictionaries Are Ideal for Children and Visual Learners

There are some fantastic Spanish dictionaries available to buy online which are beautifully laid out with high-quality photographs, drawings and illustrations. Though they are, of course, a wonderful choice if you intend to practice Spanish with your kids or other younger learners, their value for visual learners shouldn't be discounted.

Language learning does not come easily to everyone, especially those who struggle retaining information from reams of plain, monochrome text, and being able to visualise words alongside a memorable image can really help the more visually-minded.

Decide Between Standard and Latin-American Spanish

Last of all, decide whether you want to use standard European Spanish (often described as ‘Castellano’) or the type of Spanish used in Latin America (español). This will depend on how, or where, you plan on using your newfound language skills.

While the latter has quite a few variations from country to country, such as pronunciation and colloquialisms, there are bigger differences between Castellano and español. One of the most pertinent is vocabulary, which could cause some confusion, and another is the omission of an entire pronoun in Latin American Spanish.

That said, while these variations should not impede comprehension in different parts of the world, there are certain words that, while innocuous in Spain, might be considered rude or offensive in Argentina! Most standard dictionaries in the UK use Castellano, so only pick a Latin American dictionary if you have specific plans to head to the area.

Top 10 Best Spanish Dictionaries in the UK

With these important considerations in mind, let’s go right ahead and check out what’s on offer online. We’ve narrowed it down to the ten Spanish dictionaries we think will be the most educational and provide the most value for your hard-earned cash. Venga.. ¡Empezamos!

amazon.co.uk

Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook and Dictionary

£4.49

The Traveller's Top Pick From the Experts

This dictionary and phrasebook from renowned travel experts Lonely Planet uses the type of Spanish originated in Spain. The paperback isn’t officially ‘pocket-size’, but it does fit pretty snugly into bags and deeper pockets making it a godsend for travellers.

The book uses colourful graphs, tables, fun facts and infographics to illustrate interesting points about language and culture, making it a mini education in glossy paperback. The words are spelt out phonetically for you to avoid mistakes in pronunciation. Just note that it is more of a casual holiday guide to the language rather than a serious dictionary.

Level	Beginner
Type of Book	Small paperback
Extras	Phrasebook, phonetic spellings
Type of Spanish	Castellano

amazon.co.uk

OxfordSchool Spanish Dictionary

£5.94

Easy to Flick Through and Perfect for Young Learners

Oxford is famous for the quality of its dictionaries and this school version is no exception. Teaching pre-intermediate to upper-intermediate Spanish in an easily-accessible format, this book also fits perfectly into a small backpack or handbag.

The dictionary has an alphabet lining the edge of every page with the relevant letter highlighted, making flicking through to the section you need a breeze. It also contains verb tables, which allow you to check the conjugation of high-frequency verbs. A great book, but one limited to school-level vocab, so perhaps not the best for more serious students.

Level	Beginner to intermediate
Type of Book	Small paperback
Extras	No
Type of Spanish	Castellano

amazon.co.uk

CollinsSpanish Dictionary and Grammar (Essential Edition)

£8.91

A Multi-Use Title Great for Self-Study and Evening Classes

Another big name in dictionary publishing is Collins, who have been experts in the industry for nearly 200 years. This flexible book from their collection guides you through important vocabulary and also some great grammar basics, making it a good pick for learners from beginner to intermediate.

There’s also a pronunciation guide at the front to help you grapple with trickier sounds, and a section of the book is dedicated to explaining verb forms for different subjects in different tenses. An ideal companion to Spanish evening classes or self-study.

Level	Beginner to intermediate
Type of Book	Small paperback
Extras	Grammar, pronunciation guide
Type of Spanish	Castellano

amazon.co.uk

Webster'sSpanish-English Dictionary for Students

£3.86

The Best Bilingual Reference for Students

This book’s bright and bold cover in the colours of the Spanish flag sets the tone for a comprehensive, helpful and easy-to-transport dictionary. Masterminded especially to get students through specific topic areas usually covered in exams, the book also contains conjugation tables for a few of the most common verbs.

Whether you’re tackling a Spanish novel or noting down vocabulary you hear in listening practice, this dictionary is a superb companion to get you through tough exams and help you build your personal word bank with clear definitions and examples.

Level	Beginner to intermediate
Type of Book	Small paperback
Extras	Conjugation tables
Type of Spanish	Castellano

CollinsComplete and Unabridged Spanish Dictionary

£3.91

A Cheap Yet Reliable Best Seller in Colour

First of the hefty hardbacks on our list is Collins' classic Spanish dictionary; complete and unabridged. It will have to sit on a shelf and is not really made for zipping back and forth to class (let alone on holiday!) but this all-encompassing collection promises to answer any Spanish query and last you the years.

While this choice will be useful for any level, those who will get the most out of a huge collection like this one are advanced speakers, higher-level students, or anyone dedicated to the language for life. Phonemic symbols are used to explain pronunciation, but if they're a bit confusing, the latest version helpfully includes online audio links.

Level	All
Type of Book	Large hardcover (paperback available)
Extras	Phonemic symbols, online audio
Type of Spanish	Castellano

amazon.co.uk

Oxford Mini Spanish Dictionary

£4.49

A Pocket-Size Classic to Take Anywhere

A pint-sized version of the Oxford classic, this dictionary is described as ‘flexibound’ – a mix somewhere between a hardcover and a softback which provides the sturdiness of one and the malleability of the other. Even though it's small, the size of the text is not compromised and is still large enough to read clearly.

This little dictionary uses Spanish Spanish (so to speak) and could be useful to any learner of any level. With a helpful and user-friendly pronunciation guide at the front, the book doesn’t labour over the way words sounds, keeping you focused on meaning and form.

Level	All
Type of Book	Mini flexibound
Extras	Pronunciation guide, phrasefinder
Type of Spanish	Castellano

amazon.co.uk

LarousseConcise Spanish-English Dictionary

£10.03

Our Top Recommendation for Latin American Spanish

Larousse, another well-known name in the dictionary world, have produced this clear and concise dictionary featuring Spanish spoken in Latin American countries. As well as 230,000 words and help with conjugations, you're given bonus cultural content and both general and professional terms and expressions to try out.

We have featured the paperback here, but there’s a hardback version too if you seek durability. Praised for its clear typography as well as its plentiful definitions and usage examples, this book is a great choice for anyone thinking of visiting or living in Latin America for any period of time.

Level	All
Type of Book	Small paperback (also available in hardcover)
Extras	Phrases and expressions, culture, verbs
Type of Spanish	Latin American

DKVisual Spanish-English Bilingual Dictionary

£9.88

Learn and Remember With Fun, High-Quality Visuals

Do you think in pictures? If so, a visual dictionary is a cracking way to speed up your vocabulary recollection in any new language. This beautiful Dorling Kindersley book guides you seamlessly through a range of vocabulary topics, all illustrated with top-quality photo images to help you recall words more easily.

The book is a flexible paperback so is fairly easy to move around with you if necessary, and would also be a joy to use with children or younger learners, though it certainly isn’t exclusively for little ones. Visual learners will enjoy this book which makes a refreshing change from your typical dictionary. It even comes with a free app so you can consolidate your learning online.

Level	Beginner to intermediate
Type of Book	Small paperback
Extras	Illustrated
Type of Spanish	Castellano

CollinsGem Spanish Phrasebook and Dictionary

£3.74

Comprehensive Yet Compact

The Collins Gem Spanish dictionary and phrasebook teaches you Castellano Spanish with an alphabetised list of essential vocabulary, definitions and a side helping of the kind of phrases you’ll be likely to use on holiday or during simple day-to-day scenarios in Spain.

It’s a flexible, bendable paperback that should fit quite easily into a small bag and the words and phrases included will be perfectly suited to anyone of any level who is keen to discover meaning and build their vocabulary. Phonetic spellings are given to help you pronounce effectively.

Level	All
Type of Book	Small paperback
Extras	Phrasebook, phonetic spellings
Type of Spanish	Castellano

amazon.co.uk

OxfordSpanish Dictionary

£25.24

A Classic Tome to Keep and Use for Life

Yes, it is big, and it is clever. In fact, the Oxford Spanish Dictionary contains more than 300,00 words. It seems unfathomable, but this jam-packed dictionary really does hold the answers to your most complicated linguistic doubts and quibbles.

So well-loved it has won international acclaim and used by language experts worldwide, the Oxford Spanish dictionary focuses on Castellano Spanish as spoken on the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Spain. An invaluable tool for expert language lovers to earnest Spanish speaking hopefuls, and everyone in between.

Level	All
Type of Book	Large hardback
Extras	Pronunciation guide
Type of Spanish	Castellano

Compare the Best Spanish Dictionaries

Image	1 Oxford	2 Collins	3 DK	4 Larousse	5 Oxford	6 Collins	7 Webster's	8 Collins	9 Oxford	10 Lonely Planet
Name	Spanish Dictionary	Gem Spanish Phrasebook and Dictionary	Visual Spanish-English Bilingual Dictionary	Concise Spanish-English Dictionary	Mini Spanish Dictionary	Complete and Unabridged Spanish Dictionary	Spanish-English Dictionary for Students	Spanish Dictionary and Grammar (Essential Edition)	School Spanish Dictionary	Spanish Phrasebook and Dictionary
Features	A Classic Tome to Keep and Use for Life	Comprehensive Yet Compact	Learn and Remember With Fun, High-Quality Visuals	Our Top Recommendation for Latin American Spanish	A Pocket-Size Classic to Take Anywhere	A Cheap Yet Reliable Best Seller in Colour	The Best Bilingual Reference for Students	A Multi-Use Title Great for Self-Study and Evening Classes	Easy to Flick Through and Perfect for Young Learners	The Traveller's Top Pick From the Experts
Price	£25.24	£3.74	£9.88	£10.03	£4.49	£3.91	£3.86	£8.91	£5.94	£4.49
Level	All	All	Beginner to intermediate	All	All	All	Beginner to intermediate	Beginner to intermediate	Beginner to intermediate	Beginner
Type of Book	Large hardback	Small paperback	Small paperback	Small paperback (also available in hardcover)	Mini flexibound	Large hardcover (paperback available)	Small paperback	Small paperback	Small paperback	Small paperback
Extras	Pronunciation guide	Phrasebook, phonetic spellings	Illustrated	Phrases and expressions, culture, verbs	Pronunciation guide, phrasefinder	Phonemic symbols, online audio	Conjugation tables	Grammar, pronunciation guide	No	Phrasebook, phonetic spellings
Type of Spanish	Castellano	Castellano	Castellano	Latin American	Castellano	Castellano	Castellano	Castellano	Castellano	Castellano
Link	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay

Bonus Product: The Best Online Spanish Dictionary and App

Curiosity MediaSpanishDict Translator

£0.00

The Leading Digital Spanish Translator

Looking for an online dictionary and translator to supplement your physical copy? SpanishDict are the leaders in their field for a reason – both their app and their website (click here!) offer not only a concise, easy-to-use translation tool but reams of bonus content, too.

With everything from handy conjugation tables, grammar quizzes and fun flashcard games to native speaker pronunciation videos and vocabulary you'll actually use, we recommend downloading the app and bookmarking that page ¡pronto!

More Recommendations for Culture Fans

On a serious language-learning journey, or just an admirer of the fabulous culture of Spain? Crack open a bottle of Rioja or practise those verb endings with the help of our related Spanish-themed articles – though perhaps not at the same time!

Top 10 Best Books to Learn Spanish in the UK 2020 (Collins, Paul Noble and More)

Top 10 Best Spanish Cookbooks in the UK 2020 (Rick Stein, José Pizarro and More)

Top 10 Best Spanish Wines in the UK 2020 (Tesco, Waitrose and More)

Summary

So that’s that. We’ve shared our top tips for purchasing the best Spanish dictionary and combed the world wide web for the finest you can buy. Now you can be sure you’ll have just the book you need; whether it’s for chatting on holiday, a tool for studying at university or to take along to evening classes. All that’s left is for us to wish you luck: ¡Buena suerte!

Author: Annie Hopkins