Buy the Desktop Edition Subscribe to the Online Edition
Online vs. Desktop?
Show me the difference

 14 day risk free trial!

If you buy a subscription and decide to cancel it within the first 14 days, we'll give you a full refund -- no questions asked.
Click here for the details

Institutional Sales

Buying for more than five people at a school, library, ad agency or other institution?
Click here.

What is the Visual Thesaurus?

The Visual Thesaurus is an interactive dictionary and thesaurus which creates word maps that blossom with meanings and branch to related words. Its innovative display encourages exploration and learning. You'll understand language in a powerful new way.

Say you have a meaning in mind, like "happy." The VT helps you find related words, from "cheerful" to "euphoric." The best part is the VT works like your brain, not a paper-bound book. You'll want to explore just to see what might happen. You'll discover -- and learn -- naturally and intuitively. You'll find the right word, write more descriptively, free associate -- and gain a more precise understanding of the English language.

The Visual Thesaurus is available in both the Desktop Edition and Online Edition. (click here to compare the two)

With both versions of the Visual Thesaurus, you can:

  • Find the right word. The VT has over 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings. Find the word you need and discover related meanings.
  • Develop a better vocabulary. See how words are used in different parts of speech.
  • Use words precisely. The intuitive interface helps you find words through their semantic relationship with other words and meanings.
  • Master word usage. Roll over a meaning to see its definition and example sentences that express that meaning.
  • Improve your grammar. Meanings are color-coded to indicate parts of speech.
  • Explore 39,000 proper nouns. Historical figures, phrases and trademarks are included. Look up Mozart, Manda or simply, "M."
  • Check your spelling. The VT suggests a word if you spell it wrong.
  • Hear words pronounced correctly. The VT offers both American and British pronunciations (Internet connection necessary)
  • Personalize your experience. Use the Settings Panel to control font size, filter content, display up to 17 semantic relationships and more.
  • Browse language in 2D or 3D. Rotate word maps in three dimensions to reveal complex relationships.
  • Connect to the Internet. Right-click on any word to launch an Internet search for images or information.

With the Online Edition you can also:

  • Access the VT from anywhere. No software to install, access from virtually any computer with an Internet connection.
  • Email word maps to friends. Share your favorite words with friends and family.
  • Explore five additional languages. Search for words in Spanish, German, Italian French and Dutch, as well as English. (International features are still in beta)
  • Unlimited access to our magazine. Read features about language and the creative process and join a community passionate about words, language and creativity.

Learn even more about all the benefits and features in the Visual Thesaurus:

Click on the images below to watch the videos.

Differences Between the Desktop and the Online Edition

The Desktop Edition (CD-ROM) makes a great gift, or you can load it into your travel laptop and go. If you subscribe to the Online Edition, you'll get even more features, like five additional languages, emailing and access from anywhere. You'll also get our excellent subscriber-only magazine and join a community passionate about words, language and creativity.

Can't decide which one to choose? Check out the chart below to compare:

Online Edition Desktop Edition
Access Method No software to install, access through your Internet browser, anywhere, anytime. Download the software, or get a CD-ROM shipped to you. Software is installed on your computer.
Internet Connection Internet Connection required Internet Connection optional
(An Internet connection is required for audio pronunciations)
Printing Print in two formats (requires the Java Plug-in on Windows) Print in two formats
Upgrades & Updates All updates and upgrades included for the life of your subscription. Minor updates and bug fixes as they become available; major upgrades at additional cost.
Online Magazine Access to all online articles, word lists and word of the day. Not Available
Multiple Languages (beta) Beta version of the International Edition gives access to Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. International Edition is not available.
Word Lists (beta) Beta version allows you to make and share lists of your favorite words. Not Available
Risk-free Trial Cancel your subscription within the 14 day trial period, and we'll give you the option to receive a full refund -- no questions asked. Not Available
Cancellation Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of your term. However, you can cancel the automated renewal at any time. Cancellation is easy and can be done online -- just click on "My Account", enter your email address and password, and click the "Cancel my Subscription" button. No phone calls or annoying emails required. Not Applicable
Minimum System Requirements
Windows Macintosh
OS: 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista OS: OSX 10+
Memory: 128MB Memory: 128MB
Browser: Internet Explorer 5.5+, Firefox Browser: Safari, Firefox
Java: Virtual Machine 1.1+ Java: Virtual Machine 1.2+
Windows Macintosh
OS: 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista OS: OSX 10+
Memory: 128MB Memory: 128MB
Disk Space: 100MB Disk Space: 100MB

How To Use the Visual Thesaurus

Here are 6 basic steps on how to use the Visual Thesaurus. If you'd like to see a more thorough introduction, click here to read the entire manual.

A screenshot of the Visual Thesaurus showing how it works.
  • The Center. The Visual Thesaurus displays words and meanings that are related to the item in the center of the display.
  • The Toolbar. Search for words, view word suggestions, see search history, and change preferences settings from the toolbar. Forward/Back buttons provide easy navigation. Help tips are always available.
  • Words. Click on a word to bring it to the center. Click on the speaker icon to hear the word spoken. Surrounding the word are words and meanings that are related to it.
  • Meanings. Roll your mouse over a meaning to learn more about it. Click on a meaning to bring it to the center.
  • Settings. Click on the Settings menu to personalize font size, types of relationships shown, content filtering, special keyboard shortcuts, and more.
  • Special Features. Printing, spell checking, Internet image and web page search are all available.