Ovim radom dan je osvrt na razvoj i osnovne odlike novih oblika enciklopedija. Sistematizirano je njihovo nazivlje te uobičajena podjela s obzirom na vrstu medija na kojem se objavljuju, a upozoreno je i na nedostatke takve podjele. Predložena je nova podjela prema naravi suštinskih razlika u odnosu na tradicionalne enciklopedije, s naglaskom na virtualne enciklopedije, koje nastaju i kontinuirano se razvijaju kolaboracijom suradnika i korisnika, a zasnovane su na naprednim rješenjima informacijske i komunikacijske tehnologije.This paper presents a summary of the development and basic features of the new types of encyclopaedias. Their titles have been systematised as well as the usual classification according to the medium on which they are published, and, in addition, the disadvantages of such classification have been indicated. According to the nature of their crucial differences in comparison to traditional encyclopaedias, a new classification is proposed putting emphasis on virtual encyclopaedias which are established and continuously developed through the collaboration of lexicographers and users, and which are based on the new possibilities provided by the information and communications technology. Virtual encyclopaedias are further categorized as open type, semi open type, and closed type