What makes the Oxford Dictionary so ubiquitous?

Answer 1

It's the only dictionary that is intended to be a complete list of every word in the English language. It is so much bigger than all the others (about 20 volumes) that it has to be the definitive work.

Answer 2

This seems a little muddled. The Oxford University Press publishes many dictionaries, but I do not know of one called simply the Oxford Dictionary. There are, for example, the Concise Oxford Dictionary, the Shorter Oxford Dictionary, and, most famously, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). All except the OED are simply competitors in a competitive marketplace, there are many other good English dictionaries, including Chambers, Cassells, Websters (the latter being a much bigger name in the US than is the OUP). The OED does pitch itself as a uniquely comprehensive cumulative record of the English language, but it is hardly ubiquitous, its sheer size and cost mean that copies are owned generally only by institutions such as universities and reference libraries, most people will never see one let alone look up a word in it. But, it is a fascinating tome, for those interested in the English language.

Answer 3

The Oxford English Dictionary is the greatest dictionary of the English language. It covers American usage as well as all other variations of the language. Alas I cannot afford the complete work but have to make do with the two volume Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. One of these days...

The OED is definitive and it backs up every word with quotations to show its use. No other dictionary comes close.

If you are interested in the Dictionary and its history, you should read "The Meaning of Everything - The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary" by Simon Winchester, OUP 2003.

Answer 4

Oxford University and Oxford press is a very reputed Academic publishers because of that their Dictionery also very popular as source of English words.

Answer 5

It is the Handbook of the English Language in many ways, A term used in Britain is "Oxford English" So it is bound to be Everywhere

Answer 6

BECAUSE THE OXFORD DICTIONARY CAPTURES EVERY WORD EVEN FOREIGN ONES AND GIVES EXACT MEANINGS, IT ALSO COVERS ALL WORKS UNDER THE SUN.
THANKS.

Answer 7

Sheer reputation for reliability and exhaustive coverage.

Answer 8

because it gave the meaning of every word

Answer 9

I would beg to differ and say that Webster is even more so.

Answer 10

Because it was meant to be. Talk about fate.