A Practical Dictionary of Modern Nepali is one of the few major dictionaries of any South Asian language compiled specifically for English-speaking learners. The term 'Modern' in the title refers to Nepali as spoken at present by educated native speakers living in the Kathmandu Valley. The word 'Practical' stresses that this is a dictionary intended for those who need to communicate with Nepali speakers within the entire range of circumstances in which English speakers find themselves in Neopal. Finally, as a 'Dictionary', this is a tool for at all stages of language acquisition process, from those who have just learned a few Nepali words, to the nearly-fluent non-native information about Nepali usage, special-ized terminology, and words in context.

Since A Practical Dictionary of Modern Nepali is meant for learners at all levels, the entries are given in both the devangari script, which is the normal medium for writing and transcription system in the roman alphabet. The many illustration are given only in the roman transcription, in order to keep the bulk of the Dictionary from increasing to an unmanageable size. This transcription should readily understood by both the experienced reader of Nepali, as well as to the learner who has yet to learn the elegant and efficient devanagari script.