Easy, compact & organized Word Study

Merriam-Webster Dictionaries
as recommended in Spelling Power

Spelling Power author Beverly L. Adams-Gordon recommends using dictionaries published by the Merriam-Webster company. The four volumes she recommends cover age 8 to adult level and include: Elementary, Intermediate, School and Collegiate Levels. The number of words listed, frequency of use by each age group, size of type, and inclusion of graphics are the considerations made when choosing each level.

In addition to age-appropriateness, there are other advantages to these dictionaries over other brands. Because The Merriam-Webster Company has a long history of producing dictionaries and thesauruses, you can count on high quality. Staying with the same publisher for all levels ensures that all four volumes maintain the same dialect (The Western dialect of American English) and diacritical marking system. Merriam-Webster Co. is the original "Webster's" publishing company, begun by Noah Webster in the 1800s. Not every dictionary titled "Webster" is a quality dictionary. Since the name “Webster’s” is not trademarked or copyrighted, anyone can use it in the title of a dictionary. Therefore, always make sure you buy a "Merriam-Webster" when you select a dictionary.

Merriam-Webster Elementary Dictionary

Front cover of Merriam-Webster's Elementary Dictionary

Merriam-Webster Elementary Dictionary

This newly revised & updated hardcover edition is the essential dictionary for children grades 3-5, ages 8-11. It is a perfect resource for school or home and contains more than 36,000 entries. Definitions are enriched with 1,300 quotes from classic & contemporary children's literature, providing examples of how words are used in sentences. Updated to include new vocabulary from a variety of fields, such as alternative energy, social media, and STEM. Includes 250 word history paragraphs & 120 synonym paragraphs and 900 vibrant, colorful illustrations, photographs, and diagrams. Greek and Latin word root paragraphs help students build vocabulary. And kid-friendly usage hints spark imagination and describe different shades of meaning. Special sections include geographical names, signs and symbols, a guide for writers and a list of literary works used in the text.

Merriam-Webster Intermediate Dictionary

Revised and updated in 2016 with 200 newly added words across a variety of fields including technology, social media, science, health and popular culture. Focuses on the needs of students in grades 6-8, ages 11-14, and provides advanced dictionary features to help them read, write and speak more effectively.

Merriam-Webster Intermediate Dictionary

Merriam-Webster Intermediate Thesaurus

This hardcover Intermediate Thesaurus is written especially for the needs of students grades 5-8, ages 11-14.

With more than 150,000 word choices including synonyms, antonyms, related words, and phrases, this new thesaurus can be a helpful vocabulary building tool for home schoolers and remote learners.

There is newly added vocabulary that pays particular attention to this age group in the areas of social media, technology, and entertainment. Entries feature concise statements that describe the shared meanings among synonyms. Every synonym has an up-to-date usage example to help with understanding. New idiomatic and colloquial phrases have also been added at many entries.

This thesaurus is a perfect companion to Merriam-Webster's Intermediate Dictionary.

Merriam-Webster Intermediate Thesaurus

Merriam-Webster School Dictionary

Merriam-Webster School Dictionary

Revised & Updated in 2015. This hardcover dictionary is recommended for Middle or Junior High students, ages 14 & up. It features 100,000 definitions and 28,000 usage examples. Includes 150 newly added words and meanings across a variety of fields including technology, entertainment, health, science and society. It offers more than 500 synonym paragraphs, 200 word history paragraphs to help clarify meaning, and nearly 1,000 illustrations. A great study aid for students building vocabulary and preparing for college level reading.


Merriam-Webster School Thesaurus

Merriam-Webster School Thesaurus

An edition of the thesaurus designed for students grades 9–11, ages 14 & up.

  • More than 154,000 word choices
  • Includes synonyms, antonyms, related and contrasted words, and idiomatic phrases
  • Concise definitions and 37,000 usage examples aid word selection


Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

The 11th Edition of the dictionary for High School students and adults, this dictionary has over 160,000 entries which include over 23,875 verbal illustrations. Also includes 760 synonym lists.

The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
$27.95