My mom got a Kindle for Christmas and I'm trying to help her with some things.  I don't have one so it's all new to me too

we got it set up and registered and even lots of free books and some games, so she's been using it for a while.  Now she

wants a dictionary to use like a 'real' dictionary ....not just while she's reading something on the Kindle.  I realize we are

probably going to have to break down and pay for one but does anyone have a recommendation for one that isn't to hard

 to use on the Kindle?

Kindle has a dictionary built in. The New Oxford American Dictionary. Is this what you are talking about?

Kathy, can you just access the dictionary though?  Like if you want to just look up the meaning of a random word and not just a word in the book that you may not know.

I just got a Sony Touch.  It's got a built-in dictionary as well.  I don't think I can access it though except by double tapping a word on the screen in a book I'm reading.  I need to read the manual better though, but I can't see the dictionary as a separate entity on the ereader.

Janice, you should just be able to use the Search function. Type in the word and search. 

On my K2i, from the Home screen (so not in any book, which is what I assume you mean) I hit the Menu --> Search, and I get the Search window. I type in the word I want, and then underneath, there are six options such as Search Kindle Store, Search Google, Go To Web, and Search Dictionary. If I select Search Dictionary, I get the definition. 

Is that what you mean? Searching for a word that is not necessarily in a book, just a word that pops into your mind or one you just heard on the radio? 

I wouldn't think the K3 would be significantly different in this respect. 

If you don't like the dictionary that comes with the Kindle, there are plenty of them for sale. I would definitely get a sample before buying, however. 

If this doesn't help, holler and we'll see what else we can come up with. 

I think that would work.....Mom keeps the Kindle in her room unless she's having a problem so I forgot there was

a keyboard.  I did see the search function but didn't have sense enough to type in a word.  Thanks, everyone.

I just got back here. Yes, type in a word and it will come up in the dictionary. I typed in Dictionary and that is what came up.

you can also just open up the dictionary and start reading it, if you wish.  i think my Kindle 3 came with 2 built in dictionaries, and i've opened the dictionary first and then searched for a word when one of the word games i downloaded used a word i didn't know.  :)