1
A very versatile resource that I would recommend as a universal "magic pill" for learning any foreign language. It offers a plethora of functions—translation of individual words, translation of words and expressions in context (the examples are not adapted for language learners but are completely authentic), and it even has a function I dreamed of when I was in university—grammar checking, paraphrasing, and finding synonyms. Isn't that a dream come true?
Pros
- Convenient and intuitive interface.
- Basic use does not require registration or a paid subscription.
- Multifunctional.
- Has a mobile app.
Cons
- If you bypass registration, the number of examples can be quite limited.
- A small ad block on the right.
2
This is the resource where everyone can find something to their liking—it allows you to search for words and expressions in movies, TV shows, and songs. Enter a word in the search bar, and the site will give you dozens of clips, from which you can even create a gif or meme, so the possibilities here are only limited by your imagination.
Pros
- Interactive and personalized.
- Wide range of applications.
- Fun quizzes on movies.
Cons
- No additional materials for language learning and practicing phrases.
- Clips sometimes cut off in the middle of a phrase.
3
I love this resource for its minimalism and multifunctionality. Not only can you search for words in context from real sources, but you can also see how a word functions as different parts of speech, which sets this service apart from ordinary dictionaries where examples do not provide any grammatical analysis. And the cherry on top is the cloud of synonyms, which also allows you to choose the needed part of speech.
Pros
- Convenient and intuitive interface.
- Examples are taken from authentic sources.
- Grammatical analysis.
Cons
- No translation into Russian, which can be a barrier for beginners learning English.
- Limited number of examples with conversational English/slang.
4
A dictionary often overlooked, but one that in terms of functionality is not inferior and sometimes even exceeds other dictionaries—here you have examples, synonyms, and collocations with references to the field of use, videos with pronunciation techniques, and various games and quizzes.
Pros
- Multifunctional.
- Videos with pronunciation techniques.
- Additional resources in the form of games and quizzes.
Cons
- A lot of ads, and the interface looks quite cluttered overall.
5
A service you have probably already heard about as an indispensable aid in listening and pronunciation, it also has another rather unobvious use—learning new words in various contexts from real life and media.
If you have been studying English for a long time, you have already noticed that learning a new word in isolation from others can make it quite difficult to start using it in speech, as the situational context, format, and even the surrounding grammar are not quite clear. This service will help you with that—enter the word you are interested in, you can even choose the American or British variant of English, and voila—a huge collection of videos with real people and situations where this word can be used.
If you have been studying English for a long time, you have already noticed that learning a new word in isolation from others can make it quite difficult to start using it in speech, as the situational context, format, and even the surrounding grammar are not quite clear. This service will help you with that—enter the word you are interested in, you can even choose the American or British variant of English, and voila—a huge collection of videos with real people and situations where this word can be used.
Pros
- User-friendly interface with nothing superfluous.
- Does not require registration or paid subscriptions.
- Native speech in two variants of English.
Cons
- Since the resource is based on YouTube videos, it greatly lacks vlog format—mainly videos are only from speeches and presentations.