SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Merriam-Webster announces this month the publication of Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary -- the first advanced learner's dictionary from an American publisher. Created by North America's foremost language experts, this groundbreaking volume is designed to help advanced students of English as a second language master spoken and written English as it is actually used.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary covers nearly 100,000 words and phrases with more than 3,000 core vocabulary words identified, and features more than 160,000 usage examples -- the most of any learner's dictionary. It explains meanings of thousands of idioms, collocations, and commonly used phrases from both American and British English, and offers expert guidance from Merriam-Webster lexicographers about meanings, connotations, and usage status for more effective communication.

"The creation of Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary reflects the reality that English has become an international language," said John M. Morse, Merriam-Webster Inc.'s Publisher and President, "and that American English, in particular, is now being used and studied every day by millions of people around the world."

In addition, Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary includes a free ebook download and access to a free Web site, Learners Dictionary.com. Features of the new site include "Ask the Editors," (covering such topics as commonly misused words), "My Learner's Dictionary," where users may customize their own growing vocabulary and practice with virtual flashcards, and "Learner's Word of the Day."

Merriam-Webster will be supporting the launch of Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary and the new site Learner's Dictionary.com with international advertising and an international press tour. To learn more, or to arrange an interview with Merriam-Webster's Editor at Large Peter Sokolowski, please contact Arthur J. Bicknell, Senior Publicist, at the below address.

Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

Merriam-Webster Inc. acquired the rights to revise and publish Noah Webster's dictionaries in 1843. Since then, Merriam-Webster has maintained an ongoing commitment to innovation, scholarship, and love of language. Today, the company continues as the leader in both print and electronic language reference publishing with reference products, learning tools, and word games. For more information about the company, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition, or the new Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary, visit Merriam-Webster OnLine at www.Merriam-Webster.com.

     Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
     ISBN: 978-0-87779-551-3 hc  Suggested Retail Price:  $34.95 hc,
     ISBN: 978-0-87779-550-6 pb  Suggested Retail Price:  $29.95
     Available in stores now

     Arthur Bicknell, Senior Publicist
     Merriam-Webster Inc.
     Phone: (413) 734-3134 ext. 119
     E-mail: abicknell@Merriam-Webster.com

SOURCE Merriam-Webster