Back in the days before smartphones and the World Wide Web I used to keep this by the side of my bed so I could look up new words I came across while reading. Now I just google terms or else click on dictionary.com (at least the Random House dictionary doesn't come with intrusive pop-up ads). Since I don't intend to buy another physical dictionary this one will age right along with me and there's a bit of comfort in that...so 5 stars. ( )

This was a perfectly serviceable collegiate dictionary that was my desk reference for decades--which is the problem. The copyright of the revised edition of the Random House College Dictionary is 1984. You won't even find the word "internet" here, let alone such words in my shiny new Meriam-Webster (11th Edition) as: microblogging, smartphone, social media and tweet. So, with the new year, out with the old, in with the new! ( )