Word by Word Audiobook By Kory Stamper cover art

Word by Word

The Secret Life of Dictionaries

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Word by Word

By: Kory Stamper
Narrated by: Kory Stamper
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.75

Buy for $15.75

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Brimming with intelligence and personality, a vastly entertaining account of how dictionaries are made - a must-listen for word mavens.

While most of us might take dictionaries for granted, the process of writing them is in fact as lively and dynamic as language itself. With sharp wit and irreverence, Kory Stamper cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography - from the agonizing decisions about what and how to define to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language. She explains why small words are the most difficult to define (have you ever tried to define is?), how it can take nine months to define a single word, and how our biases about language and pronunciation can have tremendous social influence. Throughout, Stamper brings to life the hallowed halls (and highly idiosyncratic cubicles) of Merriam-Webster, a world inhabited by quirky, erudite individuals who quietly shape the way we communicate. A sure delight for all lovers of words, Word by Word might also quietly improve listeners' grasp and use of the English language.

©2017 Kory Stamper (P)2017 Random House Audio
Biographies & Memoirs Social Sciences Words, Language & Grammar Funny Witty
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"[M]arvelous insight into the messy world behind the tidy definitions on the page...." (Bridget Thoreson, Booklist)

What listeners say about Word by Word

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    346
  • 4 Stars
    87
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    339
  • 4 Stars
    63
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    295
  • 4 Stars
    79
  • 3 Stars
    31
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars

So much fun!

All of the sudden I find myself asking everyone to repeat themselves. It's amazing to think about all the words that we take for granted.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

If you love the English language listen to this.

A heartfelt and entertaining listen to someone clearly passionate about their field. Wish there were a dozen more chapters of quirks and interesting tidbits.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

FASCINATING!

Who knew words could be so interesting! Well written, entertaining, and the narration is easy listening. I highly recommend this title. You will be surprised at the amount of thought, consideration, and research dedicated to each dictionary entry.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting and read like a podcast

Overall found it interesting and to me it was more like a podcast Bits and pieces were better than others But did get me thinking about words are used and where they come from

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wanted to read--but still surprised how good it is

I enjoyed this book so much I am buying it for others. I learned a lot of interesting history and even techniques I plan to use to help people I train become better at their 'craft'. She wove in how the dictionary/lexicographer handles politically touchy issues and, I think, handled them in a way that most on both sides of the aisle/altar will appreciate. A bit more NC-17 than I would have expected from a book about the dictionary but if the word fits, use it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply Wonderful

A skillfully relayed tale of one of the most under appreciated texts in American history. Kory Stamper is a wonderful orator and the story itself is informative and engaging. Highly recommend. Made me want to become a lexicographer!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

You should infer my implication.

A very interesting story of how dictionaries come to be and fascinating explanation of changes.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent Words!

I love words and this book is a completely fun listen thanks to the author/reader. Who knew that making a dictionary is so much grueling work? And that it is also interesting? Stamper's love of her work shines throughout this very interesting book.
Take a listen and learn some new words.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A word nerd's delight

I loved this book. Kory is a great narrator and she does a fantastic job of using anecdotes to describe working as a lexicographer.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

I loved it!

If you are fascinated by words, you will love this book. A look into the life of a lexicographer and the creation of a dictionary.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!