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American Dictionary of the English Language
This 1828 facsimile reprint of the first American Dictionary documents the quality of Biblical education which raised up American statesmen capable of forming our Constitutional Republic. Webster traced roots in twenty-six languages, and gives examples from classical literature and the Bible. Comprehensive introductions are presented for language and grammar. It has been described by one Christian scholar as "the greatest reprint of the twentieth century." The added biography by Rosalie Slater, "Noah Webster, Founding Father of American Scholarship and Education," describes his contribution to many fields and records his conversion to Christ.
2000 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1839
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345 people want to read
About the author
Noah Webster
1,021 books41 followersNoah Webster, Jr. (October 16, 1758 – May 28, 1843), was a lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English-language spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. He has been called the "Father of American Scholarship and Education". His blue-backed speller books taught five generations of American children how to spell and read, secularizing their education. According to Ellis (1979) he gave Americans "a secular catechism to the nation-state".
Webster's name has become synonymous with "dictionary" in the United States, especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the nation.
Webster's name has become synonymous with "dictionary" in the United States, especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the nation.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 12, 2008
This in my opinion is a "must have" when wanting to look up anything written a couple hundred years ago and before. This includes the Constitution, Federalist Papers, the Founding Fathers, Adam Smith, BoM, D&C, Ralph Waldo Emerson, etc.
Some ordinary words really have changed a lot, even more have shades of meaning lost.
Additionally, Noah Webster wasn't shy about including full entries on things that touch religion. For example, my computer's built-in dictionary says this for religion:
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods
That's rather sterile and perfunctory. Noah Webster let it rip without apology:
RELIGION, n. relij'on. [L. religio, from religo, to bind anew; re and ligo, to bind. This word seems originally to have signified an oath or vow to the gods, or the obligation of such an oath or vow, which was held very sacred by the Romans.]
1. Religion, in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man's obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man's accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not religion.
2. Religion, as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his law. James 1.
3. Religion, as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to his will. Hence we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the law.
Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.
4. Any system of faith and worship. In this sense, religion comprehends the belief and worship of pagans and Mohammedans, as well as of christians; any religion consisting in the belief of a superior power or powers governing the world, and in the worship of such power or powers. Thus we speak of the religion of the Turks, of the Hindoos, of the Indians, &c. as well as of the christian religion. We speak of false religion, as well as of true religion.
5. The rites of religion; in the plural.
Some ordinary words really have changed a lot, even more have shades of meaning lost.
Additionally, Noah Webster wasn't shy about including full entries on things that touch religion. For example, my computer's built-in dictionary says this for religion:
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods
That's rather sterile and perfunctory. Noah Webster let it rip without apology:
RELIGION, n. relij'on. [L. religio, from religo, to bind anew; re and ligo, to bind. This word seems originally to have signified an oath or vow to the gods, or the obligation of such an oath or vow, which was held very sacred by the Romans.]
1. Religion, in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man's obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man's accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not religion.
2. Religion, as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his law. James 1.
3. Religion, as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to his will. Hence we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the law.
Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.
4. Any system of faith and worship. In this sense, religion comprehends the belief and worship of pagans and Mohammedans, as well as of christians; any religion consisting in the belief of a superior power or powers governing the world, and in the worship of such power or powers. Thus we speak of the religion of the Turks, of the Hindoos, of the Indians, &c. as well as of the christian religion. We speak of false religion, as well as of true religion.
5. The rites of religion; in the plural.
Read
September 17, 2024This book just didn't do it for me, the plot was unbearably predictable, the characters were unbearably boring, and the book was like 3000 pages long!!! Why anybody would bother writing such a mess is beyond me. This book is kinda helpful if you are trying to improve your vocabulary, but as a novel, it should be avoided.
December 31, 2024
My favorite dictionary! Great for Christian teachers and students.
March 5, 2020
As a lover of old books, and as somewhat of a geek that can flip through dictionaries for hours marveling at a landscape of words stimulating my brain.... imagine the joy I felt upon receiving this as a Christmas present a few years ago. That it's a facsimile of the original was a bonus, and I sifted through various entries.... realizing how some words have changed meaning over two centuries.
Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary is an indispensable companion for anyone that reads those 'old books' ... that are chock full of those old words. Most modern dictionaries will give archaic definitions to current words.. but this dictionary completely elucidates those archaic definitions because they were not archaic when the dictionary was composed. It's like going back in time.....
And some words that can be found in extremely old works cannot even be found in some modern dictionaries. Not a problem if you've this Dictionary.
Highly recommended .... to simply browse through it is a pleasure. I'm sure this is one book I'll never be able to say I completed reading.
Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary is an indispensable companion for anyone that reads those 'old books' ... that are chock full of those old words. Most modern dictionaries will give archaic definitions to current words.. but this dictionary completely elucidates those archaic definitions because they were not archaic when the dictionary was composed. It's like going back in time.....
And some words that can be found in extremely old works cannot even be found in some modern dictionaries. Not a problem if you've this Dictionary.
Highly recommended .... to simply browse through it is a pleasure. I'm sure this is one book I'll never be able to say I completed reading.
July 21, 2015
I am not sure if I will ever mark this book as done but I use it almost daily to learn what words really mean. I am grateful for Webster's knowledge of the Bible and for his references to it and other classical works. I find this dictionary extremely helpful in unlocking scriptural insights.
Read
June 30, 2010One of my friends gave this to me for Christmas. It is REALLY cool and shows a definitive bias in how morality and Christ played a major role in Webster's definitions.
June 30, 2025
Why would anyone review a dictionary?
I wouldn’t have believed it myself—until I realized I’ve been using this one almost weekly for the past three years.
I stumbled into the introduction of this dictionary and honestly, it hooked me. Noah Webster’s life, his tireless call to create this work, and the decades he poured into capturing the depth, history, and meaning of words—it’s stunning. This wasn’t just a project. It was his life’s offering. And it shows.
I use this dictionary all the time in my spiritual studies. Just try looking up a single word—like sanctify—and you’ll find a richness that turns the word into a study, a meditation, a journey. Webster’s original definitions often weave in layers of history, faith, and meaning that modern dictionaries have simply stripped away.
I genuinely believe this is the book every family should have in their home. It’s not just for obscure word nerds—it’s a tool for sparking thought, inspiring change, and shaping character.
We can only change as deeply as we think, and become as deeply as we know.
I hope to chip away at this dictionary daily, as intentionally as I’m trying to chip away at my own character.
Who knew a dictionary could be this life-giving?
Noah Webster did.
I wouldn’t have believed it myself—until I realized I’ve been using this one almost weekly for the past three years.
I stumbled into the introduction of this dictionary and honestly, it hooked me. Noah Webster’s life, his tireless call to create this work, and the decades he poured into capturing the depth, history, and meaning of words—it’s stunning. This wasn’t just a project. It was his life’s offering. And it shows.
I use this dictionary all the time in my spiritual studies. Just try looking up a single word—like sanctify—and you’ll find a richness that turns the word into a study, a meditation, a journey. Webster’s original definitions often weave in layers of history, faith, and meaning that modern dictionaries have simply stripped away.
I genuinely believe this is the book every family should have in their home. It’s not just for obscure word nerds—it’s a tool for sparking thought, inspiring change, and shaping character.
We can only change as deeply as we think, and become as deeply as we know.
I hope to chip away at this dictionary daily, as intentionally as I’m trying to chip away at my own character.
Who knew a dictionary could be this life-giving?
Noah Webster did.
May 6, 2017
The pen may be stronger than the sword, but if all else fails you can assault an attacker with this hefty volume. Did you know that there are twenty different definitions for "to"? This is a must-have for any historical writer, to see what words were used in the old days and to see sentence examples with each word. There's even a hefty section on grammar and how to use words properly. (Humorous observation: Webster believed "doesn't" was bad form and advised the use of "don't" instead: "She don't think that I should leap the fence." I saw this use in a Susan Warner book and thought it a typo, but apparently not.)
A great peek at word use in America in the 1800s and a resource I have used many times.
A great peek at word use in America in the 1800s and a resource I have used many times.
May 3, 2021
Great book
Better than the revisions of today. A. Must have for people who want to be correct in their usage of English.
Better than the revisions of today. A. Must have for people who want to be correct in their usage of English.
August 10, 2024
Sad
So disappointed in this book. No working table of contents. The search button does not work. Cannot even pass through pages quickly, must pass through book page by page. Very disappointing. I won't suggest this copy to anyone.
So disappointed in this book. No working table of contents. The search button does not work. Cannot even pass through pages quickly, must pass through book page by page. Very disappointing. I won't suggest this copy to anyone.
December 28, 2024
America's first and only biblically based dictionary that focuses on how the Bible dictates the definitions. No modern dictionary comes even close to the biblical principles of every word.
March 26, 2008
If you like to read older books and want to see what certain words meant way back when, then this dictionary is awesome! It's a facsimile edition of the original 1828 Noah Webster edition. The typeface and layout are the exact same as the original.
March 31, 2008
I got this dictionary from my wife for Christmas. This is a really great reference and it provides a wonderful level of insight into Amican English as it was in the early days of the United States. This really shows what a great and brilliant man Noah Webster was.
May 5, 2011
While I will admit to not reading the whole thing, I do reference it often. Everytime I challenge my boys to read a harder book, they challenge me to read this one since it's the biggest one in our library. The language is beautiful and fascinating. Yes, it makes for wonderful afternoon reading!
August 17, 2016
This book is a must read! This dictionary is a Bible study tool with tons of Biblical references for individual word. In addition, it is far more balanced than the modern "Webster's dictionaries." Get this book--going back to the original is better than the modern "revisions."
September 29, 2007
This is the 1828 edition of Webster's dicionary. It incudes perhaps the greatest number of Biblical definitions in any reference volume. This book is priceless and should be a staple in every home.
May 6, 2009
Thousands and Thousands of Words, i doubt anyone else in the world has fully read this book.
April 25, 2015
Okay, I haven't actually read this book but I have looked up a lot of words in it! Very interesting, great history.
Want to read
September 2, 2017amazing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews