With our TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award winner, Babylon 9, you’ll have instant access to a number of dictionaries and thesauruses that you can customize so you’ll have quick entry to a world of words. It provides several customizable dictionaries and thesauruses that you can download once you have installed the software.
You can set the viewing window to display a selection of entries from your favorite dictionaries, thesauruses or translation dictionaries at the click of your mouse. You can access this feature from many programs, as it runs concurrently with your favorite word processor or Outlook. This software doesn't offer as many specific search options as the #1 product, but it is easier to install and use.
The cost of the software varies on the way you would like to purchase it. You can pay a monthly fee of $9.70 or a lifetime license for $119. We reviewed the Babylon lifetime license that costs $119 because it is the most popular purchase made with Babylon.
Babylon has many valuable features that will be an asset to you in your studies and as you write or read. The dictionaries include derivatives, parts of speech, spelling alternatives, phonetic symbols and more. All you need to do is type in the word and your definition appears.
For each English verb, Babylon will display a complete list of conjugations in all possible tenses and forms. You can also get a description of each tense in your native language if you don't speak English.
The program also includes automatic updates (so it will never become outdated), a unit conversion tool and audio pronunciations so you can hear how the word sounds.
You can purchase and download other resources, including translation tools, from their website so you can expand your library and equip the suite with the features that will help you most.
This is a user–friendly product and after just a few minutes of experimenting and looking up words, you’ll be a pro. A side bar shows all of the resources including a conversion tool, the Internet and any reference books you have loaded that are active. A Menu button displays other options like help and configuration options.
Navigating between tools that are included in Babylon is very easy. By typing in one word, you can move from text translator to human translator, web translator, speller and web search. You can choose which languages you would like to receive the definitions in as well. By using this software you will never be stumped with a word again, no matter the language.
You can configure the dictionary software so you can use a hotkey. We set it up so that Shift + mouse left click would instantly look up a word while in Microsoft Word. This also works in other applications. Alternatively, you can type a word into the search window or search for the word alphabetically.
This software doesn’t have as many meticulous search options as Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary & Thesaurus. You cannot search for rhyming words or search by definition and there is not an advanced search option.
Babylon has 225,000 words, 1,600 glossaries in 17 languages and 340,000 synonyms antonyms and idioms. This is a great reference suite, than includes just about every word in current usage.
We didn’t encounter any problems during the installation process—it is easy and straightforward. Although, you may have to download a compatible speech engine from their site to get the audio to work.
If you run into difficulties while using this product, there is plenty of help available. There is FAQ page for common problems, a searchable help database and you can contact customer support via email, phone or online form.
Babylon 9 will bring up definitions and synonyms at the blink of an eye. This is an excellent product for students or anyone who wants to improve their writing with a vast vocabulary. You can also purchase expansion programs so your dictionary will be multi-lingual.
