Dear Geist,

Can you recommend a good dictionary and thesaurus? I am starting some writing courses at Queen’s University in January and it is advised that we have both.

Dear Maria,

and other American thesauruses (the Canadian spin is less crucial in a thesaurus than in a dictionary).

. It has clear definitions, and it dovetails nicely with other Oxford reference books we use. And we have worked with Katherine Barber, the editor-in-chief and a kindred spirit, on identifying regional Canadian terms. But other dictionaries have equally sterling qualities.

are a few of many good ones.