In 1702, the lexicographer John Kersey the younger published A New English Dictionary in London, a comprehensive collection of the most proper and significant words commonly used in the language. This work was distinctive for its focus on common words rather than just difficult ones, and it was designed to benefit young scholars, tradesmen, and even the female sex. Kersey's dictionary represented a shift towards a more inclusive approach to English lexicography.

Kersey's dictionary, by including common words alongside hard ones, made the English language more accessible to a broader audience and reflected a growing democratization of literary culture. This inclusive approach influenced later poets and writers who sought to use everyday language in their works. It also set a precedent for the comprehensive dictionaries that would follow, including Johnson's and the OED.