This dictionary is one of the significant developments in the description of English since 1884, when the first part of the celebrated 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary was published. Its approach focuses on English as it is really used in the late 20th century, informed by currently available evidence and current thinking. Compiled after analysis of computerized databases of current English a rapid-reference page design separates out parts of speech, word histories, phrases, and derivatives to make information easy to find, and the most modern meaning of each word, as used by the majority of people, is placed first within each entry. Contemporary rules are given on question of usage, providing relevant advice on problems old and new. Word history notes not only explain the linguistic roots of words, but also tell the story of how a word's meaning and form have changed over time. Oxford's worldwide network of language consultants have contributed to entries on world English, to provide an accurate and systematic record of how the language is used all around the English-speaking world. Also included are modern, realistic pronunciations which are an accurate representation of late 20th-century speech, using the internationally recognized pronunciation system, IPA.