Big Book Word Study is free to use and does not require any special tools.
This page lists optional study tools some readers may find helpful when reading Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly called the Big Book, or when comparing recovery language with other recovery, dictionary, or spiritual resources.
These tools are optional. They are not required to use this site.
This site does not directly sell or provide official AA materials. Some future links may point to third-party retailers, publishers, or other resources.
Big Book
The most important study tool for this site is a copy of Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly called the Big Book.
This website works best with a copy of the Big Book in your hand.
The word studies on this site are designed to send readers back to the book itself. They are not meant to replace the Big Book.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions may also be useful for readers who want to study Step language and Tradition language more deeply.
Big Book Word Study is focused primarily on the Big Book, especially the front matter, The Doctor’s Opinion, and the first 164 pages.
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions may be helpful for comparison, background, and later study, but it is not the main focus of most word pages on this site.
Dictionaries
Dictionaries can be useful for studying plain meanings, older meanings, and changes in word usage.
A modern dictionary can help with current meaning.
An older dictionary can sometimes help readers understand how a word may have sounded closer to the time the Big Book was written.
No dictionary replaces reading the Big Book in context, but dictionaries can help readers slow down and notice meaning more carefully.
Concordance and page-reference tools
Concordance-style tools can help readers find where words appear in the Big Book.
These tools are useful, but they should be used carefully.
A word may appear on a page without that page being the best study reference. An important idea may also be present even when the exact word is not used.
For that reason, this site sometimes says:
“Look for this word near pages…”
“Look for this idea near pages…”
“Look for this phrase and related language near pages…”
Those phrases are intentional.
Notebooks and simple study supplies
Some readers may find it helpful to keep a notebook while studying.
Simple tools may include:
A notebook or journal
Pens or pencils
Highlighters
Sticky notes
A printed word list
A copy of the Big Book
These are not required. They are just practical tools for readers who like to write, mark, compare, and return to important pages.
Recovery-focused Bibles and Twelve Step Bible study resources
Some readers also use recovery-focused Bibles or Twelve Step Bible study resources to compare recovery language with Scripture.
These are not primary sources for Big Book Word Study, but they may be helpful to some readers for personal study.
Readers should understand that these resources may reflect particular religious, editorial, or theological perspectives. They should be used thoughtfully and compared carefully with the Big Book, Scripture, and trusted guidance.
Future affiliate disclosure
Some future links on this page may be affiliate links.
If affiliate links are added, this site may earn a small commission when readers buy through those links, at no extra cost to the reader.
Affiliate links will be disclosed clearly where they appear.
The purpose of this page is not to pressure anyone to buy anything. It is simply to list optional tools some readers may find useful.
Independent and unofficial
Big Book Word Study is independent and unofficial.
It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., or any AA service body.
This site does not speak for AA, AAWS, any group, any service structure, or any recovery fellowship.
The purpose of this site is to help readers study words more carefully while reading the Big Book for themselves.