Nearly everyone has used language tools like the dictionary and thesaurus. Each helps users to expand their vocabulary and their understanding of language to enhance their options for clear, concise, and descriptive communications. And this is not only important for students, who must use language in every subject (even math), but also for adults in the workforce, who often have to communicate via written formats (emails, presentations, etc.) in which tone can be easily misconstrued, especially when the word choice is poor. In short, language presents most people with a lifelong challenge that includes ongoing education. And there’s one app out there that is uniquely designed to help both language lovers and those that are struggling with linguistics to increase their vocabulary in an interactive and intuitive environment. In short, the Wordflex Touch Dictionary application has a little something for everyone.

You may be hesitant to leap into language when you see the price tag on this app, which comes in at $11.99. You’ll no doubt be happy to hear that this is down from the original price of $24.99, but for those that are still grumbling, consider that the paperback copy of the Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus will run you about $15.95 retail, and it doesn’t come with the same portability and interactive functionality you’ll find in the app. Of course, you might be wondering just what an interactive dictionary is and how it can help you to tackle the task of rounding out your vocabulary.

The truth is that this handy app is like no other dictionary or thesaurus you’ve ever used thanks to the inclusion of mind mapping, or what the app refers to as “nodes”. When you enter a word to look up you’ll be presented with a graphic that looks something like fireworks exploding. Your word will appear at the center, surrounded by a wagon-wheel of off-shoots. Suppose you enter the word “chirp”. One node will provide a definition of the term while another may read “verb” or “noun”. Other nodes will provide similar words such as “twitter” and “prattle” (like a thesaurus). You may be able to hear an audio recording or select a “syntax” node for further information. But what makes the experience interactive is that you need only use gestures to navigate your way through the web of information provided for every entry in this application based on the English Oxford Dictionary.

Users can tap, swipe, pinch, and scroll their way seamlessly through a virtual explosion of information in this dynamic environment, which takes full advantage of the iPad’s HD Retina display. And whether you are trying to enhance your MBA leadership skills in the professional setting, you’re working towards a college degree, or you are simply a language lover looking to use English as creatively as possible, this app allows you an unfettered tool to explore wordplay and expand your vocabulary. It can help you to find the words you’re looking for or teach you some new ones. And of course, it allows you to share new discoveries and favorites with family, friends, and colleagues via Facebook, Twitter, and email (just create a “word poster”). It’s a great language learning tool that will come in handy in every walk of life, and users will agree that it’s worth every penny.

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Evan Fischer for this guest post. He is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

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