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There are few things more annoying than coming across a word while reading something or writing a paper and not knowing what it means or being unsure if your thoughts on the meaning are correct. You used to have to crack open the physical dictionary or do a Google search of the word. But now, there is a much quicker, easier and better way to go about discovering more about this word and what it means.
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There are a ton of dictionary apps out there that can help you define and discover words in a very simple and quick manner. Many of these apps are full of millions of different words and can be a lifesaver when you are reading or writing and want to make sure of a word’s meaning before moving on.
If you are one of those people that constantly likes to fill their head with new knowledge, a dictionary app can be a good way to do that too. Not only can you search words you are unfamiliar with easily, you can also discover new words and add them into your everyday vocabulary. There is no shortage of dictionary app options in the App Store, but how do you pick which are among the best. Thankfully, this article will help you select one that is appropriate for your needs.
When it comes to the best and most comprehensive dictionary app available on the iPhone, I think the Dictionary.com app sits atop the list. The Dictionary.com site has been one of the most popular and best websites for definitions for years, and now the app has continued that legacy. This app is among the most comprehensive on this entire list as it has over 2 million definitions and synonyms at your fingertips. No matter what the word is that you are confused or curious about, there is a great chance that this app will include it. It includes the same trusted and accurate definitions that the website does, so you never feel like you are giving anything up at all by using the app and not the website.
Of course, the main use and purpose of this app is to search the definition of words, and it does that extremely well. You would be hard-pressed to find a word that isn't included in the database of this app. It will provide you with multiple meanings and will even use the word in a sentence to help you decipher its meaning. So while the app is great at its primary function, there is so much more this app can do for you too. While most will use it as a dictionary, this app also holds a lot of value as a thesaurus when it comes to locating synonyms and antonyms, which can help you from the common problem of constantly reusing words in essays or papers. In fact, with the simple switch of a little toggle button on the main page, the app transforms from a dictionary to a thesaurus. While that in itself is pretty impressive, that doesn't even touch the surface of what this app can do in terms of its features.
The app features audio pronunciation, which helps make sure you not only know what the word is, but also how to say it. Dictionary.com also lets you search by voice, translate into over 25 different language, save your favorite words for future reference and even allows you to see the background and origin of a number of different words, in case you are curious as to how they were conceptualized. The app also offers some fairly unique features such as the "Word of the Day" (which can help you expand your vocabulary by learning a new word each and every day) and the Quiz widget which allows you to test your knowledge and vocabulary skills.
Another great thing about this app is that it will work for you offline as well. While you do have to pay a few bucks for that privilege, it is a very good optional feature to include. While most of us are usually in an area where we can use data or wifi to access the internet, this isn't always the case. For example, if your internet dies out during a power outage while you're writing a paper or you are reading while camping and have no access to the internet. By having the dictionary available offline, you will never be left wondering what a word means and will always be able to use this app when you need it most.
The look and feel of the app is also a big win. The design and interface of the app is about as simple as can be, which puts the content and features at the forefront. There are no silly or unnecessary distractions that will take your attention away from the words and phrases you are trying to define. The app is very simple to use and everything is laid out in a clear manner, so no tutorial or anything like that is needed to understand how to maneuver the app. The one gripe I might have with the design of the app is the fairly large banner ads that appear at the bottom of the screen, but for an app like this to be available free of charge, you have to expect ads to appear.
One of the best things about this app is that it is available to use and download completely free of charge. This is a huge plus for this app as a number of the dictionary apps out there make you pay for their content and definitions. That's right, without even paying a cent, you have access to the meanings of millions of words in one single app. However, for those out there that want the full experience of what this app can offer, there are a few upgrades that can be purchased from inside the app that will enhance your experience. While some apps may offer a single, recurring monthly charge for upgrades, this app can work in a different way. While the Dictionary.com app does allow for a premium subscription model, a more interesting option perhaps would be the individual upgrades. There are numerous little features that can be added to your app for only a few dollars. Individual upgrades such as an encyclopedia, idioms and phrases, medical or science dictionaries and more. It is awesome that they make these extras available for those that want them.
While some apps may offer a single, recurring monthly charge for upgrades, this app can work in a different way. While the Dictionary.com app does allow for a premium subscription model, a more interesting option perhaps would be the individual upgrades. There are numerous little features that can be added to your app for only a few dollars. Individual upgrades such as an encyclopedia, idioms and phrases, medical or science dictionaries and more. It is awesome that they make these extras available for those that want them, but don't force unwanted additions on their users. The availability of additional specialized dictionaries is completely cool as it is much less expensive than going out and buying a physical copy of a science or medical dictionary.
All in all, I would have to say that the Dictionary.com app is hard to deny for the top spot. The website has been a staple in the industry for years and years, and the app is even better than the web version, with a few added quirks and features that make it a handy little addition for anyone. If you are in need of a free dictionary with over 2 million trusted definitions and synonyms, as well as a number of other useful features which are also available free of charge, this is the app for you and is worth downloading and trying out for a while.
Coming in at the number two spot in this list of the best dictionary apps for the iPhone is the WordWeb Dictionary app. Like the winner, this app is designed after a popular dictionary website. While the app has far less than the 2 million definitions that Dictionary.com boasts, it still has enough that most words you will need to define or research should be included in the app. All in all, the app contains about 285,000 words and phrases which can easily be searched.
In addition to those definitions, the app has tens of thousands of word usage examples, pronunciation, synonyms and much more. The app also recognizes the various different types of English such as North American, British and more. So no matter where on the map you are living or what type of English you utilize in your day to day life, this dictionary will work for you.
This app also is incredibly good at assisting you in your search. When you are writing a paper and want to use a word, sometimes, the problem isn't that you are unclear on the definition, but are unsure on spelling. To help with that, this app uses a fairly intelligent system when it comes to searching. The app will offer your spelling correction suggestions as you are typing, and will also list words that sound like the word you are typing and words that are often confused with the one you are typing. This will help you always make sure that your wording is correct when you're searching on this app. Also, this app includes the ability to bookmark any word you search and also has a handy history feature that will keep track of all the words you have searched, so you can refer back to them if you so choose.
One place where this app takes a large step above most of the rest is the fact that it is available to be used offline, completely free. A few dictionary apps include the ability to use it offline, but many will charge the user extra for that, which could possibly deter some people from using that app, as some don't want to pay at all for their apps.
The app itself is fairly well-designed, but not quite as good as the Dictionary.com app as it is almost too simple it is boring, without any good color accents or unique design. It is not as simple and streamlined (especially when it comes to customizing settings), but is still incredibly easy to use and won't require any sort of a learning curve to learn. One area of the design where this app is better than Dictionary.com, however, is the fact that there are absolutely no ads present, which give the app a cleaner feel and look to it.
Like the winner of this category, this app is available completely free. However, unlike the Dictionary.com app, this app includes all of its features without the need to pay more. There is a version available with 70,000 professionally recorded pronunciations, but that is a different product that you can buy. So while it is nice that there is no need to pay at all when it comes to this app, it does lack a few of the features that the Dictionary.com app has included.
Whether you choose this app or Dictionary.com as your primary dictionary app will come down to person preference. I still side with Dictionary.com for its larger word database and expanded features, but other people might prefer the ultra-barebones approach of this app and might be okay with a smaller and more specific database. Either way, you can rest easy knowing you have one of the best dictionary apps on your iPhone, and you won't have to pay a cent for it either.
This is a dictionary app by the people, for the people. The app is powered by the community at Wordset.org and the app features tens of thousands of different words and definitions. The search function on the app is exceptionally quick and the definitions are very short and simple to understand. Too often a dictionary definition may confuse you more than you were originally, and that should never be the case.
One of the big selling points of this app is the fact that the entire dictionary is actually installed on your phone as soon as you download and use the app. Because of this, this dictionary app will even work if you are way out of cell service or are not connected to the internet. Of course, if you are connected, you will get a more detailed definition than if you were using the app offline.
The design of this app is also a win as it is incredibly simple and no-frills, with nothing to distract you from what you came to the app to do, which is to look for definitions. It helps you find the words you are looking for, without getting in the way. Some definitely appreciate some flair in their apps, but others just want them to function well and don't really care how they look.
Also, due to the fact that the app is powered by volunteers, every update that the day goes through will have been worked on and observed by many different people. This app is available completely free and with no in-app purchases, you will never have to pay anything to use this app. So if you are looking for a simple dictionary app (that will work offline with ease), this could be your choice.
Unlike the other apps on this list so far, this app is not free to download or use. While that may deter some people from using this app, it shouldn't. The reason for this is because of how many amazing features you get for that $1.99. But before we take a little look at them, let's check out the main function of this app.
This dictionary app blows most out of the water as it includes a ridiculous 4.9 million words in the database, along with hundreds of thousands of word relations, phrases, sample sentences and more. This means that no matter what you want to search or define, this app will be able to help you.
In addition to its plentiful database for its dictionary, there are also a number of other amazing features about this app too. The app features auto-pronunciation in both male and female voices. word origins, fast look-up, offline mode and much more. There is also a pretty good looking user interface which makes the app a little more attractive to use.
So while this app costs a few bucks to start out with, it gives you features that go above and beyond most of the dictionary apps on this list. If you can afford and justify spending $1.99 on an app when there are free options available, you will be rewarded with a feature-packed app with more definitions than most of the apps on this list.
Whether you are online or offline, this free app is among the most comprehensive dictionary apps on the market. This app features millions of words and definitions from some of the most trusted sources in the industry. Millions of people have downloaded this app, making it among the most popular in all the App Store.
In addition to the app being great at defining words, it is also good at translating and can easily translate to over 40 different languages. While this app is branded as a dictionary, it can truly do so much more. There is also a lot of daily content such as idiom of the day and word of the day. The app doesn't only teach you words and what they mean, but it can also help you be able to use them more intelligently. Even some games are included such as hangman, spelling bees and more.
The app is available for free, but there is an option to pay a few dollars to go ad-free, and also the option to pay for additional languages and different offline dictionaries too. This app is also partnered with the World Food Program which means you are earning meals for children just by using the app, if that isn't reason enough to give this app a try, I don't know what is.
This app is an all-in-one guide for referencing as it features both a dictionary and a thesaurus. The app's design is very clean and the app itself works quickly and thus, you can rest assured knowing it will get the job done for you.
The app itself features nearly 5 million definitions to go along with its near 600,000 entries. Audio pronunciation and pronunciation guides will be sure that you can say and use the word, and not just know what it means. If you are also curious about the origins of a given word, this app can also help you with that too.
In addition to including "everyday" words, the app is also jam packed full of more technical and scientific definitions, which many of the other apps on this list won't include. So while the app is about as feature-packed as any, it will cost you a dollar to buy, but that shouldn't likely deter people who are serious about improving their vocabulary.
When it comes to paper dictionaries, Merriam-Webster is among the most recognizable and common options. But now, you can get the same great definitions from them, right on your iPhone. This respected dictionary has been optimized for the iPhone so that it not only works great, but also looks really good too.
The app has a ton of detailed definitions, and also offers some convenient quick and smaller definitions for those times you just need to look a word up very quickly and get a quicker answer as to what it means. The app also comes with a thesaurus integrated within the app that can help you expand your vocabulary.
In addition to being educational, this app actually made sure that its users could have fun too. The app includes a number of very cool and interesting word games that will test your vocabulary and word skills. The app is free and supported by ads, but you can elect to pay $1.99 a year to get rid of them if they are annoying. All things considered, this is one of the best options for your dictionary app.
While many of these apps pride themselves on putting content first and design second, this app bridges that gap a little bit. LookUp is an app that looks unlike many of the other dictionary apps as it's design and interface is unique, clean and beautiful. The app also does a very good job at integrating pictures in with the definitions, without it being distracting.
But in addition to the app looking good, it also functions very well too. In just one simple search, you can find a ton of information about a word such as its origin, meaning, definition, Wikipedia content and more. Unfortunately, the app requires an internet connection to work.
Also, the app isn't free like many on this article have and will be. It will cost you $2.99, but there is no arguing that this is among the best looking and most unique apps on this list. So if the design and innovation of an app is important to you, this might be the app for you.
Now this is a bit of a different app than most on this list, but it still holds a ton of value. While the app is branded primarily as a translation app (something it does incredibly well), there is also more to the app than just translation.
In fact, the dictionary function within this app is also quite good. You can look up words in different languages, dialects and even hear people say the words out loud via audio pronunciation and translation. The app can also act as a thesaurus as it gives you synonyms and different meanings for words.
Over 50 million people have trusted this app and as a result, it is among the most popular apps in this entire space. While it is not as focused on the dictionary aspect as most apps on this list, it is definitely a solid option. Especially is you are multi-lingual, want to learn a new language or are a traveler.
This app is among the best reference tools for the English language. It is part dictionary and part thesaurus, so the app is a one-stop-shop. This app is quite easy to use and makes it simple to explore the various words and phrases in the English language.
The app can also amazingly search the internet and be customized to search other reference apps, which makes it among the most useful on this list. You can add notes to any term you find, can save your searches, get suggestions, hear correct pronunciation and much more.
The app also makes use of the new technologies in devices such as the iPhone, as it allows for 3D Touch support. Simply put, this is one of the most intelligent and well-designed apps on this list, and it is available to use completely free of charge.
If hearing professional pronunciations to go along with your definitions and word searches, this might just be the app for you. WordBook comes complete with a professionally recorded pronunciation of every single word in its database.
The fast and responsive interface allows for extremely quick searches, and the pop-up spell suggestions will make sure that everything you are searching for is correct and accurate. The app also comes complete with features like Word of the Day, pronunciation guides, bookmarks and much more.
The app will cost you about $2.99, but as you have seen from this article so far, it is fairly normal for these dictionary apps to charge a few bucks if they feel that their content, features and quirks make them a step above the rest.
Like the Merriam-Webster dictionary earlier in the article, the Oxford dictionary is among the most trusted and popular dictionaries on the entire planet. The app is constantly updated with new words and phrases and currently has well over 350,000 words included in its database.
The search on this app is also among the best of any of the apps on this list as it is lightning fast, very easy to use and allows you to even search via keywords. You can even use the camera feature of your iPhone to snap pictures of words and have the app tell you what they mean, along with more info about the word.
The app can be used completely for free, but there is also a premium option available too. This premium option allows you to use the dictionary offline, get priority support, and enjoy and ad-free experience.
This app is among the most comprehensive and highly-researched on this list, which means that you can rest assured that absolutely everything you see on the app is accurate and up to date. This research also helps many words have their origins traced back hundreds and hundreds of years.
In addition to having a great base of words and a ton different learning tools (such as word of the day and a favorites tab), the app also uses thousands of photos. Sometimes, seeing a photo that lends a hand to the definition or meaning of a word can help you understand it better.
The app is available for free, but for those who prefer a more complete and feature-packed edition, you can decide to pay a subscription fee to get the premium version of the app. The premium version includes no ads, offline mode, a thesaurus complete with audio and a deeper pronunciation feature.
A few of the apps a day have had a "Word of the Day" feature, but this app takes that idea to a whole other level. While this isn't a dictionary app in the most traditional sense of the word, it definitely deserves a place on this list.
This app will help you learn a new word each and every day, one that you will easily be able to use and throw into everyday conversation to become a more intelligent individual. There are thousands of words out there that many of us don't know about or use, and this will help you incorporate those words into your life with ease.
While this may not be your primary dictionary app, it is definitely a good supplement. Just think, if you use this app each and every day for a year, you will likely know well over 300 new words you didn't know before using this app, and those words could totally change the way you speak and communicate.
