Getting started with Oxford Reference Online

What is Oxford Reference Online?



Oxford Reference Online contains over one million dictionary definitions from the Oxford University Press collection of English and bilingual dictionaries and reference works covering more than 20 subject areas.

Oxford Reference Online is the core collection of 100 dictionary, language reference and subject reference works published by Oxford University Library. It is a fully indexed cross searchable database giving subscribers unprecedented access to comprehensive information resources.

A premier resource with so much to offer

Wide choice of search options.
Carefully researched web links.
Access to foreign language dictionaries.
Over 1.5 million dictionary definitions, facts, figures, people, places and dates.
From simple quick searches to advanced.
All work has undergone quality checking by Oxford’s team of experienced editors.
The twenty broad subject areas allow the user to explore words and ideas from a variety of different perspectives at once.
All Oxford University Press 100+ dictionaries and reference titles can be answered in a simple cross searchable database as a whole, restrict to one or more subjects or individual books.
Browse tool allows user to scan through a list of the entries in an individual online book just as if it were a printed version.
Use the email facility to mail yourself a copy of and entry for future reference.
Follow up cross references at the touch of a button.
Over 1000 high quality, well researched web links.
Expanding and regularly updated.

Subject groups:

Art and architecture
Biological science
Classics
Computing
Earth and environmental sciences
Economics and business
English dictionaries and thesaurus
English language reference
Food and nutrition
General reference
History
Law
Literature
Medicine
Military history
Modern language
Mythology and folklore
Performing arts
Physical science and maths
Politics and social sciences
Quotations
Religion and philosophy

Use Oxford Reference Online to…

Quickly find an answer to a multitude of questions
Access a comprehensive and growing collection of acclaimed reference titles without leaving your desk
Explore words and ideas from variety of different perspectives at once.