The American Heritage® Essential Student Thesaurus, Third Edition, is the definitive thesaurus for people who want to improve their communication skills by expanding their active vocabulary. It is the ideal choice for students ages twelve and up and English language learners who want to gain confidence in reading, writing, and speaking. Completely revised and updated, the third edition has more than 300 entries and 1,200 synonyms. Each entry includes a list of synonyms and an explanation of the core meaning shared by each word in the group. When synonyms in a group have subtle distinctions, these nuances are clearly described. Every synonym is illustrated with a clear example sentence or a quotation to help distinguish shades of meaning and illustrate how choosing the right word can result in more powerful and precise writing and communication. Authors quoted range from classic novelists such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Harriet Beecher Stowe to contemporary writers such as Carlos Fuentes, Cynthia Ozick, and David Sedaris. Antonyms included with many entries further expand vocabulary. An index at the end of the book lists all synonyms and antonyms for quick access to the right word. The handy and affordable American Heritage® Essential Student Thesaurus gives students the help they need to communicate effectively and express themselves with style and imagination.