alphabetic and phonetic searching
You can search for entries in the dictionary either by typing in words
or by using phonetic symbols (sounds). The image below shows the dictionary's
Phonetic Keyboard, which lets you search for words simply by clicking
on the keys.
This type of search, called a Sound Search, is especially useful when
you want to find words which contain a particular sound or group of phonetic
symbols. For example, a search for the phonetic symbols r,
ei, z finds 'raise', 'rase', 'rays', 'raze', 'res', and 'Reyes'.
You can also search just for British or just for American pronunciations.
And don't worry if you don't yet know the International Phonetic Alphabet
- each key in the Phonetic Keyboard plays a recording of the sound it
represents as well as a sample word using that sound. This feature helps
make the dictionary an excellent tool for self study.
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