Hi. I just updated my software and now have a thesaurus which is an improvement over going online. I do have to say, however, that the thesaurus really could be improved upon. Some words don’t appear at all and others have only one or two synonyms listed when there really should be more.
There may be problems with the dictionary as well but I don’t really use a dictionary when I write so this isn’t a big deal for me.
I do like the software overall but wanted to add “improved thesaurus” and “Quick Ref” to the Windows wishlist for the developer’s consideration.
An excellent thesaurus and dictionary combination is WorbWeb. It comes with a dictionary and thesaurus but you can add the Oxford Dictionary or Oxford Shorter Dictionary for a very complete and excellent dictionary.
I use WorbWeb constantly when I write, especially to find the ‘right’ word and to be certain that the word I choose is the one I really want to use.
Hi again. Just found the software online. Looking at the FAQ now. It says :
I was wondering if you could clarify this for me? Does that mean that pressing Ctrl+Alt+W opens WordWeb in Scrivener without taking me out of the program and to another window? If so, I would probably give it a shot.
I don’t know. For me it doesn’t, but then I have not set up Scrivener to do that and am unsure how to do so. Maybe someone else can answer that.
I use WordWeb as a standalone. So if I have a word in Scrivener, I type it into WordWeb and then it provides me with the definition (if in dictionary mode) or various alternatives, if in thesaurus mode. The switch from definition to thesaurus is basically just going to the right tab at the top of the WW window.
I then use the alternative I wish and type it into Scrivener.
I tried setting WW to use Ctrl-Alt-W for me in Scrivener (by modifying Services) but it did not work. I didn’t fool around with other combinations, so I can’t say what would happen with other ones. The Ctrl-Alt-W does work for me in Word.
Hi Don. Thanks so much! I downloaded the free version of WordWeb and for me it is working with Scrivener (by using control + right click). There aren’t a ton of synonyms for some words but at least all of the words I’ve checked so far have synonyms which is a big improvement over the thesaurus provided with Scrivener.
I think I may purchase the paid version of WordWeb and am curious if you’ve done that and, if so, which option you chose? There are several different dictionaries and thesauruses listed. I’m primarily interested in the thesaurus function and don’t want to buy any unnecessary add-ons.
I do still feel that Scrivener should include a reasonably good thesaurus and that we shouldn’t have to purchase additional software but WordWeb is a big help!
I purchased WordWeb Pro with the Oxford Shorter English Dictionary (This is short only in the sense that it is not the COMPLETE OED, but still 2 volumes of very fine print if you buy it.) I forget the price, but it was quite manageable, and well worth it.
I’m not sure that this would work for me, unless it integrates with Scrivener, but I do appreciate the info!