Best Law Dictionaries & Terminology Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Law Dictionaries and Terminology Books are essential tools for anyone studying or practicing law. These books provide definitions of legal terms, explanations of legal concepts, and references to legal cases and statutes. They are useful for law students, lawyers, judges, and anyone else who needs to understand the language of the law. Some popular titles include Black's Law Dictionary, Garner's Modern English Usage, and The Oxford Companion to American Law. With the ever-evolving nature of the legal system, having access to reliable and up-to-date references is crucial for success in the legal field.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Black’s Law Dictionary, 11th Edition (BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY (STANDARD EDITION)) Cover #TOP 1
Black’s Law Dictionary, 11th Edition (BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY (STANDARD EDITION))
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Black's Law Dictionary, 1st Edition Cover #TOP 2
Black's Law Dictionary, 1st Edition
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume One (A-J) Cover #TOP 3
Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume One (A-J)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Law Dictionaries & Terminology Books

#TOP 1

Black’s Law Dictionary, 11th Edition (BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY (STANDARD EDITION))

Bryan A. Garner
Thomson Reuters
Jun 10, 2019
Black’s Law Dictionary, 11th Edition (BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY (STANDARD EDITION)) Cover
Black’s Law Dictionary, 11th Edition (BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY (STANDARD EDITION))

Black's Law Dictionary, 11th Edition is the ultimate legal reference work, defining more than 55,000 law-related words and phrases with historical and present-day nuances. This edition introduces 3,500 new terms, including accountability, anticipatory self-defense, cyber force, Islamic law, Jewish law, and more. It also features an extensive bibliography of legal literature and a distinguished lineup of legal talent who have vetted every term for accuracy. Editor in Chief Bryan A. Garner has produced a practical, comprehensive, scholarly, and authoritative dictionary that is a must-have for any law practitioner or student.

#TOP 2

Black's Law Dictionary, 1st Edition

Henry Campbell Black
Jun 3, 1991
Black's Law Dictionary, 1st Edition Cover
Black's Law Dictionary, 1st Edition

Black's Law Dictionary, 1st Edition is a reprint of the original 1891 edition of the famous American law dictionary, now in its eleventh edition. It contains definitions of legal terms and phrases from American and English jurisprudence, as well as international, constitutional, and commercial law. The book also includes a collection of legal maxims and a bibliography of the principal law dictionaries in English and other languages up to 1891. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history of legal terminology and its development over time.

#TOP 3

Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume One (A-J)

BLACK, HENRY CAMPBELL
Mar 3, 2022
Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume One (A-J) Cover
Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume One (A-J)

Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume One (A-J) is a softcover book that contains the first half of Henry Campbell Black's famous 1891 "A Dictionary of Law." It includes definitions of the terms and phrases of American and English jurisprudence, ancient and modern. This dictionary is a great resource for law students, lawyers, and anyone interested in the history of law. The high-resolution scans of the 1891 hardcover ensure that the text is sharp and clear. It is a unique and valuable addition to any law library.

#TOP 4

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, Newest Edition, Trade Paperback

Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Apr 1, 2016
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, Newest Edition, Trade Paperback Cover
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, Newest Edition, Trade Paperback

The Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, Newest Edition, Trade Paperback is a comprehensive guide to the language of law, suitable for everyone from legal professionals to homeowners. With over 10,000 legal words and phrases defined in common terminology, this dictionary is easy to understand. It includes updated entries from recent events, such as the financial meltdown and the growth of the internet, along with definitions, pronunciations, example phrases, and quotations, as well as helpful information on the judicial system, government agencies, and historic laws. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to understand legal language, and its clear definitions make it stand out from other law dictionaries.

The Winning Brief: 100 Tips for Persuasive Briefing in Trial and Appellate Courts

Garner, Bryan A.
Oxford University Press
May 1, 2014
The Winning Brief: 100 Tips for Persuasive Briefing in Trial and Appellate Courts Cover
The Winning Brief: 100 Tips for Persuasive Briefing in Trial and Appellate Courts

The Winning Brief: 100 Tips for Persuasive Briefing in Trial and Appellate Courts by Bryan A. Garner is an essential guide for any lawyer seeking to improve their writing skills. This third edition offers practical tips on drafting a compelling brief that captures the judge's attention from the first few words. Garner's advice covers everything from planning and organizing a brief to citing sources and designing visually appealing documents. The author emphasizes that good writing is good thinking put to paper, and his before-and-after examples demonstrate how to edit for maximal impact. This book is a must-read for any aspiring or seasoned lawyer.

#TOP 6

Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume Two (K-Z)

BLACK, HENRY CAMPBELL
Mar 3, 2022
Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume Two (K-Z) Cover
Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume Two (K-Z)

Black's Law Dictionary, First Edition 1891, Volume Two (K-Z) is a softcover book that contains the second half of Henry Campbell Black's famous 1891 "A Dictionary of Law." It covers American and English jurisprudence, both ancient and modern, and provides definitions of legal terms and phrases. This dictionary is unique as it is the first time the 1st edition of Black's Law Dictionary is available in softcover. The text is sharp and clear, and the book is printed in black and white. This book is a must-have for anyone in the legal profession or anyone interested in law dictionaries and terminology books.

#TOP 7

Legal Terminology (Quick Study: Law)

BarCharts, Inc.
QuickStudy
Nov 18, 2008
Legal Terminology (Quick Study: Law) Cover
Legal Terminology (Quick Study: Law)

The "Legal Terminology (Quick Study: Law)" is a comprehensive guide for law students and legal professionals that provides an easy-to-read A-to-Z format for commonly used legal terms. The guide includes fluff-free definitions for need-to-know terms such as affidavit, defendant, estoppel, juvenile, quid pro quo, res ipsa loquitur, zoning, and more. This 3-panel (6-page) guide is an up-to-date reference that can help anyone understand legal jargon. The guide is a valuable resource for anyone looking to expand their legal vocabulary and knowledge.

#TOP 8

Master Legal Vocabulary & Terminology- Legal Vocabulary In Use: Contracts, Prepositions, Phrasal Verbs + 425 Expert Legal Documents & Templates in ... Legal Writing, Vocabulary & Terminology)

Roche, Marc
Law, IDM
Independently published
Dec 18, 2018
Master Legal Vocabulary & Terminology- Legal Vocabulary In Use: Contracts, Prepositions, Phrasal Verbs + 425 Expert Legal Documents & Templates in ... Legal Writing, Vocabulary & Terminology) Cover
Master Legal Vocabulary & Terminology- Legal Vocabulary In Use: Contracts, Prepositions, Phrasal Verbs + 425 Expert Legal Documents & Templates in ... Legal Writing, Vocabulary & Terminology)

"Master Legal Vocabulary & Terminology: Legal Vocabulary In Use: Contracts, Prepositions, Phrasal Verbs + 425 Downloadable Expert Legal Documents & Templates in English!" is an excellent resource for law students and professionals looking to improve their legal vocabulary and terminology. The book provides a structured approach to learning the main vocabulary and grammar structures used in commercial contracts, along with targeted activities to practice them. In addition, it includes a glossary of contract law terms, a phrasal verb mini-dictionary, and a vast selection of legal templates. This book is a valuable tool for anyone seeking to enhance their legal writing and communication skills.

Dictionary of Legal Terms: Definitions and Explanations for Non-Lawyers

Gifis, Steven H.
Barrons Educational Services
Nov 1, 2015
Dictionary of Legal Terms: Definitions and Explanations for Non-Lawyers Cover
Dictionary of Legal Terms: Definitions and Explanations for Non-Lawyers

Barron’s Dictionary of Legal Terms is an excellent resource for anyone looking to understand legal jargon. With over 2,500 terms defined in easy-to-understand language, this updated edition is perfect for quick reference or for those looking to learn more about the law. The book includes examples to illustrate definitions and is ideal for consumers, business owners, investors, and anyone else who interacts with the law. Steven H. Gifis, a former Associate Professor of Law at Rutgers, authored this helpful guide. Overall, this book is an essential addition to any legal library.

#TOP 10

Black's Law Dictionary with Pronunciations, 6th Edition (Centennial Edition 1891-1991)

Black, Henry Campbell
West Group
Aug 1, 1991
Black's Law Dictionary with Pronunciations, 6th Edition (Centennial Edition 1891-1991) Cover
Black's Law Dictionary with Pronunciations, 6th Edition (Centennial Edition 1891-1991)

Black's Law Dictionary with Pronunciations, 6th Edition (Centennial Edition 1891-1991) is a comprehensive guide to basic legal terms and phrases used in English and American law. This book is a valuable resource for anyone who needs to understand legal language and concepts. It covers various branches of law and provides definitions that are easy to understand. The book is published by West Group, a reputable publisher of legal books. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for law students, legal professionals, and anyone who wants to understand the legal system. Its unique feature of providing pronunciations for legal terms makes it stand out from other legal dictionaries.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best law dictionary?

Black's Law Dictionary is the most frequently used U.S. legal dictionary. It is available in print, on Westlaw (database: BLACKS) and as an iPhone app .

2. What dictionaries are used in law?

The two most commonly used legal dictionaries are Black's Law Dictionary and Ballentine's Law Dictionary.

Editor's Notes

During our law dictionaries & terminology book research, we found 861 law dictionaries & terminology book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 14,629 customer reviews through our big data system to write the law dictionaries & terminology books list. We found that most customers choose law dictionaries & terminology books with an average price of $15.92.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.