Finding Dictionaries & Encyclopedias: Home

Type one or two keywords relating to your topic (e.g., anthropology or roman architecture or climate change) into the search box, followed by the word dictionary or encyclopedia. You might also try adding the words companion or handbook to your search.

If you want to get fancy, you can search for more than one type of source using the following as a pattern:
[your subject] and (dictionary or encyclopedia or handbook or companion)

See it for yourself:
world war ii and (dictionary or encyclopedia or handbook or companion)
social work and (dictionary or encyclopedia or handbook or companion)

Additionally, try browsing our list of online reference sources.

For other languages, try:

• browsing the Dictionary collection, located on the first floor of the Abbotsford library. Ask at the Service Desk for directions.
• using the search box above (for specialized dictionaries) and subject the language you want for the topic keywords, e.g. french-english dictionary or punjabi dictionary.
• using Google or other web searchs to find a dictionary in your chosen language, e.g., klingon dictionary.