Search for synonyms using the Visual Thesaurus

The Visual Thesaurus is an online thesaurus and dictionary of over 145,000 words that you explore and visualize using an interactive map.

Type in a word and the Visual Thesaurus will show you a map of synonyms, antonyms, and definitions.

Unlike Roget's Thesaurus, the Visual Thesaurus contains over 39,000 proper nouns and American and British spellings and pronunciations.

It's a tool for people who think visually. Look up your word now!

This month, it's the return of the word-chain crossword puzzle! Follow the chain of synonyms and you could win a Visual Thesaurus T-shirt.  Continue reading...
Click here to read more articles from Contest.
We're happy to feature writer and editor James Harbeck for another installment of his Word Tasting Notes, this time on the word geoduck.  Continue reading...
Click here to read more articles from Word Count.
We welcome back Merrill Perlman, who writes the "Language Corner" column for Columbia Journalism Review. Here she looks at the way that the "drink/drank/drunk" verb paradigm is changing, and advises you how to derive "drunk" (but please, don't drive drunk).  Continue reading...
Click here to read more articles from Word Count.
In two plays currently on Broadway, "Seminar" and "Wit," the written word is front and center, as important as any of the characters on stage.  Continue reading...
Click here to read more articles from Word Count.
Automatically create lists of vocabulary from any text using the Visual Thesaurus VocabGrabber.
Try it now!
Think you are a good speller? Take the Visual Thesaurus Spelling Bee and find out!
Click here to start.

Blog Excerpts

I DARE Say!

The Dictionary of American Regional English (a.k.a. DARE) is finally completed — and it only took fifty years to do it! In the Boston Globe, Visual Thesaurus editor Ben Zimmer looks back on this monument to American speech, and looks ahead to new ways of approaching dialectology. Read his column here.
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Blog Excerpts

What's the Deal with "Auld Lang Syne"?

Ben Trawick-Smith is an actor with a deep interest in English dialects. On his Dialect Blog, he takes on a range of interesting linguistic issues. His latest post is perfect for the new year: it's all about the song that we butcher every New Year's Eve, "Auld Lang Syne." Get enlightened about the Scottish tune here.
Click here to read more articles from Blog Excerpts.
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How is word choice valued in poetry?  Continue reading...
Click here to read more articles from Lesson Plans.
This month, it's the return of the word-chain crossword puzzle! Follow the chain of synonyms and you could win a Visual Thesaurus T-shirt.  Continue reading...
Click here to read more articles from Contest.
We've just released a new version of the Visual Thesaurus that works for the iPad and the iPhone, at no extra cost to subscribers. And whether you're using the VT in your Web browser, on your iPhone, or on your iPad, you'll enjoy lightning-fast load times.  Continue reading...
Click here to read more articles from Announcements.

Self Promotion

Now Wear This!

Give your favorite somebody your favorite word map! Now you can order a Visual Thesaurus word map on a t-shirt, mug, even a postage stamp. Simply search for a word, click on the "Share" button on top right hand of the Visual Thesaurus window, and follow the easy steps. We can't think of a better gift -- or a gift to yourself, for that matter! (Hey, we're biased!)
Click here to read more articles from Shameless Self Promotion.
Incorporate the Visual Thesaurus into your blog or website, add it to your home page, or use it from Microsoft Word. Learn all the ways that we offer to make the Visual Thesaurus more convenient to use and easier to share with your friends, family, and colleagues: Continue reading...