More than 80,000 Spanish and English words and phrases that comprise the core of today's essential bilingual vocabulary are found in Webster's New Explorer Spanish-English Dictionary. Featuring contemporary Latin American Spanish and American English, this dictionary is the ideal tool for bilingual speakers and writers in the classroom, in business, and in daily life.

Emphasizing contemporary Latin American Spanish (and American English), Merriam-Webster's latest dictionary offers concise definitions for more than 80,000 words and phrases. Special sections cover the conjugation of Spanish verbs, common Spanish and English abbreviations, and a few basic tips on Spanish grammar. One nice feature is the clear explanation on the back cover for how to "read" an entry. Random House's Latin-American Spanish Dictionary (1997) shares some similar traits and a similar audience and is in the same price range. Webster's covers 20,000 more words and phrases than does Random House's and gives more frequent plural and masculine/feminine endings, but it provides less depth, fewer regional differences, and fewer informal definitions than Random House's does. If you can only afford one Latin American Spanish dictionary, buy Random House's; otherwise, Webster's is recommended for circulating collections in public and academic libraries.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　AJohn Charles, Scottsdale P.L., AZ

Merriam-Webster has been creating America's best-known dictionaries to the highest standards of quality and reliability for over 150 years. The distinguished editorial staff is committed to innovation and scholarship in an ever-growing list of dictionaries and other language reference books and electronic media.

length: (cm)21.8 　　　 　　　　　 　 width:(cm)15.1