I’m sure reading this any time of year would be excellent, but it was particularly special to read this during winter—and in December specifically. The entries about each word were informative without ever being boring. I noted down my favorites from each chapter to return to. If you want to be intentional about recognizing seasons, this is a great companion to read in little chunks as the season shifts from fall to winter to spring. But it’s especially nice to read during the slow festive period.

This book is exactly what it says, a winter dictionary. You learn all new words, exploring words of different time periods and different countries and cultures. This book is very cozy, at least to me as I love winter aesthetics.

This is a perfect winter reading companion and an ideal coffee table book that can be easily picked up and referred to. I learned so many new words from different dialects, and even revisited some old ones from my own dialect (Scots) that I haven’t heard in years.

I like how this book is so separated into sections relating to different parts of winter, i.e. the Christmas period and New Year, and describes words associated with each in an interesting way and with well researched descriptions.

A Winter Dictionary, by Paul Anthony Jones, is truly a gem of a reference for any creative who communicates about the beauty of the natural world. Within these pages, you will find over 400 words with etymologies as unique as snowflakes. Representing formal literary and scientific terminology, as well as charming regional idioms, the usefulness of this dictionary is inexhaustible. I would also like to put forth that this is simply a delight to read, at least for this nature loving logophile! I love that it is separated into thematic chapters, beginning with autumn‘s transition into winter and ending as spring emerges. Its alphabetical nature and comprehensive index makes it very easy to navigate. If you have occasion to reference the splendor of the seasons as a writer, lyricist, teacher, or public speaker, I promise this will become an invaluable resource. Thank you, Elliott and Thompson Limited, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love dictionaries. I love winter. This was the perfect book to start my December with.

Reading A Winter Dictionary, I was overwhelmed with how many words were either related to winter or with winter holidays, and I'm thrilled with the information found inside. I found potential writing prompts to use for writing exercises, I found words I want to use myself, and I found incredibly interesting etymological links to follow.

This is a gift for your writer friend who wants to use winter to write more. Give them this book and let them go wild. Encourage them to expand their vocabulary or just flick through it to find a word to write about!

Many of the words are of Old English, Scottish, Latin, and Greek etymological roots, so if your friend is also keen on those languages, or uses them as inspiration, they will love this, I promise.

I need the author and publisher to create A Spring Dictionary, A Summer Dictionary, and An Autumn Dictionary (a shame it breaks the mould) in the future too, please!

Some of these words had me giggling I'm not even gonna lie, I never thought I would be saying that l enjoyed reading a dictionary but l actually liked this one very much!! I had a hard time getting into the winter/Christmas spirit even while reading holiday books, but this helped a lot!

If you are an author, writer, or just need some inspiration for winter/ holiday writing, A Winter Dictionary would be a great resource. This book contains a collection of words that describe various aspects of the winter season. The words are ordered chronologically to how to seasons change with the transition from autumn, to winter, to the very beginning of spring.

There is a brief introduction before each category of words that sets the tone for the definitions. After each word there is a description of where the word originated from. The definition and description of each word and its usage was very well written.

Thank you very much to NetGalley, Elliott & Thompson, and the author Paul Anthony Jones for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!!

This book was a perfect read for this time of year. The collection of words really made the cozy reading vibe feel that much cozier. I learned lots of new words and some have already woven their way into my vocabulary.

The writing was really easy to understand and set out like a classic dictionary made it really easy to read. I also enjoyed gaining an understanding of where each word came from.

Overall, a perfect little start of winter read to get you into the mood for the festive season!

A treasure! This would make a great gift for language lovers, holiday and Christmas lovers, coffee table book fans, and nonfiction geeks in general. I absolutely loved reading through this book of wintery words and definitions, and I will reference it for many years to come. The love of folklore and historical research is evident in the author's writing, which is fluid and easy to read. Since it's a bit like a dictionary, you can open to any page at any time and enjoy learning about a few words. It stands out for being earnest and curious, instead of flashy or authoritative. I'll definitely order it for our store and display it - it's so pretty, too!

A fascinating collection of words from various dialects and iterations of English all relating to various parts of the winter season. A useful resource for those looking for a particular word or term but also an enjoyable book to dip into and read for pleasure.

As someone who is a real word geek and fascinated by etymology, I’ve read several of Paul Anthony Jones’ books before and am an avid follower of his Haggard Hawks alter-ego on social media. I’m also someone who loves winter and always hopes for snow. So his latest book, A Winter Dictionary, definitely appealed to me.

The book does follow the style of a dictionary with words in alphabetical order but the book is split into chapters roughly following the season’s progress from late Autumn into early Spring. At the beginning of each chapter, Jones explains the theme for that chapter. Every word has its definition, a little about its origins if known, which part of the world it is thought to come from and often includes an example of the word in its original context.

I found it so interesting that many of the words are so regional and would never have been known outside the local area. Certainly I recognised some of the Scots words but the vast majority of words and phrases in this book were new to me. Even though they are now seldom if ever used, they have all been considered important enough in the past to be recorded which thankfully means they haven’t disappeared entirely. I think we should have a campaign to bring some back into everyday use!

I’m going to share just a few of the words which particularly caught my fancy:

Cosmognosis – the instinctive force that tells an animal when and where to migrate. This is something I find fascinating.

Momijigari – the Japanese custom of visiting forests in Autumn to look at the changing foliage. This is a word that could have been invented for me. I am a huge lover of Autumn and always enjoy walking in woods in Autumn time admiring the beautiful colours.

Hogamadog – a ball of snow made larger by rolling it through a snowfield. You know, like when you make a snowman!

Old-fashioned – a winter bringing heavy snow. I found this particularly interesting given our current concerns with climate change as this is a word from the early 19th century when the people then were looking back at colder winters.

St Andrew’s blast – a period of late autumn frost and snow that tends to fall around St Andrew’s Day. This is very appropriate given St Andrew’s Day is approaching as I write this.

I’m very grateful to the publishers for allowing me to read an early digital copy through Netgalley. However, I do feel this is a book that you will want to have a physical copy of. Just look how beautiful the cover is! It’s absolutely an ideal Christmas gift for the logophile and chionophile* in your life. Let the snow fall outside, grab a blanket and snuggle up by the fire with this fascinating book.

*chionophile – Someone who loves snow and cold weather. The word comes from the Greek words khiōn, meaning snow, and phile, meaning lover of. The word also be used to refer to animals, plants, or fungi that have adapted to survive harsh winters.

I found the book to be quite interesting , the author has a way with words. I loved the cover as I found it very eye catching and made me think of a cold winter day when the sky is the bluest of blues and the air is so cold it feels like arctic air going into your lungs. I would recommend this book to my friends especially the ones like me who don't feel like hibernating when winter arrives. Thank you for giving me the advanced reading copy, You will find my review on www.goodreads.com/gamoo2024

A Winter Dictionary is a fascinating little tome that deserves a place nestled on the coffee tables of those who feel the most at home when the air has some bite to it!

I found this book an absolute delight to flip through! As the name suggests, this is in face a dictionary, featuring a collection of words that honor the colder half of the year. It's a wonderful way to romanticize and honor winter.

This would make a beautiful Christmas or Solstice gift to those who love language and the cold.

I love the theme and the content of this book, but the formatting and execution just wasn't for me. I found it hard to engage and to actually want to read it. I might feel a bit differently if I had a physical copy.

A beautiful book, perfect to dip in to any time to get that little tingle from new, unusual knowledge. The cover design couldn't be better - somehow it manages to look like a magical gift waiting to be unwrapped! I am getting copies for friends and family who feel, like me, that words are like little jewels.

This is such a perfect book as we head into winter. Who knew that there were so many words to describe all the wintery things that we never had a word for. Paul Anthony Jones is a wonderful wordsmith who has collected together the most beautiful words to describe all aspects of winter. This book is ideal for those cold winter evenings when you can dip into a world of descriptive words to suit your mood.
The author not only gives us such wonderful words such as crapulent and darkle but he delves into the origins of these words and phrases many of which have been lost over the years. By introducing the history of these words he brings them to life and gives thought and power to them. It helps you to appreciate the narrative of different cultures and languages.
This book has a charm all of its own and will make winter walks all the more magical as we look for frost dogs in the cold air. Beautiful, thought provoking, one to be enjoyed again and again by all the family.

Such a beautiful read :)

A must for anyone wanting to learn some new words or read something light and fun.

I need a physical copy asap!

I love words, their solid beauty and the way in which language has evolved over time. To have a winter dictionary seems like the perfect idea especially when it’s written and presented in such a lovely way. These books, by this talented wordsmith, are always beautifully presented, from the tactile nature of the beautiful book cover to the immersive, educational and downright fascinating information found within its pages.

The contents are nicely divided into eleven clear chapters which take us from the changing seasons, through winter storms, ice and snow and further towards Christmas Day and into the snow melts of a new year. The words are well explained and placed in context, all evoke a strong sense of time and place whilst at the same time explaining the meaning of words, all perfectly appropriate, many of which I had never heard before. Some made me smile, some words, no longer in common usage, just seemed really perfect and made me wonder why we had stopped using them and then, of course, there’s the local variations, specific dialect and the gradual evolution of words and phrases which are very much part of our ancestry.

This is definitely the most perfect wintery read, it’s one of those gently fascinating sorts of books which you can just dip into and out of it at whim and by merely opening a page at random you will discover something fascinating you never knew you needed to know.

*Paul Anthony Jones’ A Winter Dictionary is a delightful and charming exploration of the English language, uncovering the forgotten, rare, and sometimes whimsical words that bring the winter season to life. Known for his fascination with etymology and his knack for uncovering obscure words, Jones takes readers on a frosty linguistic journey that invites us to rediscover how language can capture the magic, beauty, and even harshness of winter.

Structured like a lexicon, A Winter Dictionary collects dozens of unusual words, each perfectly suited to describe the nuances of winter in ways most of us never imagined. From poetic terms like “frost-dogs” (tiny frozen snow particles that shimmer in the cold air) to the playful “crapulent” (the feeling of post-indulgence malaise, particularly relevant after festive feasting), Jones’ selections add depth to the way we experience the season. The book taps into the wonder of winter’s unique qualities—cold snaps, quiet snowfall, and festive indulgences—with words that feel as though they’ve been plucked from a long-lost winter storybook.

One of the joys of A Winter Dictionary is the way Jones not only introduces readers to these words but also delves into their etymology and cultural origins. For example, the term “stepmother’s breath”—used to describe a sudden, biting cold snap—carries with it a historical and cultural weight, evoking folk traditions and the personification of the season’s harshness. By contextualizing the history behind these terms, Jones invites readers to see how language has always been shaped by our environment, and how words have been used to capture winter’s icy grip for centuries.

Jones’ love for language shines through in his vivid, descriptive prose. His writing manages to make this collection of words feel more like an evocative journey through the season than a dry academic reference. As readers flip through pages filled with frosty metaphors and forgotten expressions, they will be struck by how these words paint vivid pictures of a winter long past, yet still recognizable today. Whether it’s the comforting idea of a “hibernaculum” (a winter refuge) or the chill of “gelicide” (killing frost), each entry offers its own glimpse into how winter shapes human experience.

Beyond being a lexicographical treasure trove, A Winter Dictionary is also perfect for readers who love to revel in the seasonal spirit. Whether you’re curled up by a fire, watching snow fall outside your window, or embracing the festive rush of the holidays, this book is an ideal companion to help articulate the moods and moments of the colder months. It’s easy to imagine quoting some of these words over mulled wine or bringing them into conversation during a snow-covered stroll, transforming everyday winter observations into something far more poetic.

While the book is brimming with fascinating discoveries, some readers may find the dictionary-like format better suited for dipping into than reading in one sitting. However, this is also part of its charm—each word is like a little snowflake, something to savor slowly.

In conclusion, A Winter Dictionary by Paul Anthony Jones is a wonderful celebration of both winter and language. For lovers of words, folklore, and the magic of the cold season, this book offers a unique and enchanting perspective on how we describe and understand winter. It serves as a reminder that language is not only functional but deeply expressive, and that even in the darkest, coldest months, there is warmth and wonder to be found in words. Perfect for book lovers, logophiles, and anyone looking to enhance their winter vocabulary, A Winter Dictionary is a cozy and engaging read for the season.

A Winter Dictionary is about the magic and mystery of language. This novel is uncovering lost words and brings together a selection of wintry terms from different cultures, time periods, and regions. Some are familiar yet carry a forgotten depth, while others are so rare that they almost feel like secret treasures. The book is filled with words that express the nuances of winter in ways that modern language sometimes struggles to convey.
This dictionary has the ability to provoke deep reflection about the relationship between words and our environment. For instance, reading about specific terms for the many kinds of snow or frost in languages like Inuit or Scots makes you consider how intimately language is tied to our surroundings. Each word opens a window into how different cultures perceive and interact with the natural world.
Beyond the words themselves, they provide thoughtful context, often weaving in folklore, history, and literary references that deepen your appreciation of winter. The narrative that accompanies each word gives so much meaning, turning what could be a simple list into a rich exploration of human experience and memory.
What’s most striking about A Winter Dictionary is how it elevates everyday moments. Suddenly, the act of noticing frost on your window or feeling the bite of a cold wind becomes infused with a deeper meaning. The book encourages mindfulness, asking us to pay attention to the world around us, to notice the subtleties of the season and appreciate how language can enrich that awareness.
A Winter Dictionary is a thought-provoking, with a deeper meaning on the power of words and the season they describe. This is a book for anyone who loves language, who enjoys the beauty of the changing seasons, or who simply wants to slow down and reflect on the world in a more nuanced, poetic way. It’s a reminder that words can shape how we experience the world around us, and that even in the depths of winter, there is warmth to be found in language.
Thank you to NetGalley and Elliot & Thompson for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A Winter Dictionary: A Collection of Words for the Festive Season by Paul Anthony Jones

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hey there, fellow book lovers! I just finished reading A Winter Dictionary: A Collection of Words for the Festive Season by Paul Anthony Jones, and I’m excited to share my thoughts. This isn’t your typical dictionary; it’s a delightful dive into the rich vocabulary that beautifully encapsulates the winter season.

As the chilly nights creep in and winter starts to weave its magic, this book presents a treasure trove of unique words that perfectly capture the essence of the season. From quirky terms like "frost-dogs" (those adorable little frozen snowflakes) to "Stepmother's breath" (a sudden, frosty chill that makes you shiver), Jones takes us on a journey through language that’s both fascinating and fun. He even introduces us to "hibernaculum," which, let’s be honest, is just a fancy word for a cozy winter hideaway. And who can forget "crapulent"? You know, that feeling you get after enjoying one too many festive treats!

What I really appreciated about this book is the way it’s structured. Each entry kicks off with a word in bold, followed by its part of speech and a neat definition. But here’s where it gets interesting: Jones doesn’t stop there! Each definition is paired with backstories and etymological nuggets that add depth and context. Sometimes, there’s even a fitting quote that ties everything together. It feels more like storytelling than just flipping through a reference book.

The collection is thoughtfully divided into 11 chapters, starting and ending with transitional winter terms. There are sections dedicated to celebrating the joys of the season—think Christmas and New Year—as well as chapters that touch on the more restless and melancholic emotions that can surface during these colder months. And let’s not forget the weather words! From enchanting snowfalls to fierce ice storms, Jones covers it all.

I found myself dipping into this book whenever I had a spare moment, exploring each chapter at my own pace. The diversity of words from various time periods and languages—Old Norse, Old English, Latin, Dutch, and more—kept me engaged and eager to learn more about the origins of these terms. It’s like a cozy blanket of words wrapped around me during those chilly evenings!

In conclusion, A Winter Dictionary is a charming blend of education and entertainment that will warm your heart (and maybe your vocabulary) this festive season. If you're looking for a unique way to embrace the winter months, I highly recommend picking up this delightful read. It’s perfect for those cozy fireside evenings or when you just want to ponder the beauty of winter through the lens of language. Happy reading!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️