Online dictionaries

A contrast between prescriptive or descriptive dictionaries

Prescriptive dictionary

• Prescriptive dictionaries tend to be more concerned about correct or standard English. They prescribe the proper usage and spelling of words.
• Prescriptive dictionary is one that prescribes how a word should be used. … Descriptive advice—almost an oxymoron—about the acceptability of a word or construction is based solely on usage.

• Descriptive dictionaries describe the language. They include words that are commonly used even if they are nonstandard. They will often include nonstandard spellings.
• A descriptive dictionary is one that attempts to describe how a word is used.