Is this dictionary free?

Yes. The dictionary is completely free with no sign-up required. Definitions are provided by the open Free Dictionary API.

Does it show pronunciation?

Yes. When available, the tool shows phonetic spelling (IPA) and an audio clip you can play to hear the word pronounced.

Why can't I find a word?

The dictionary covers standard English vocabulary. Very new slang, brand names, proper nouns, or misspellings may not return a result — check the spelling and try again.

How is a dictionary different from a thesaurus?

A dictionary tells you what a word means, how it is pronounced and what part of speech it is, while a thesaurus lists synonyms and antonyms grouped by meaning. This tool is primarily a dictionary but also shows synonyms and antonyms for each sense when the data is available.

Does each entry include example sentences?

When the Free Dictionary API provides them, definitions include an example sentence that shows the word used naturally in context. Not every sense has an example, so some entries show only the definition, part of speech and pronunciation.

Can I look up both British and American spellings?

Yes. The dictionary recognises common British and American spellings, such as "colour" and "color" or "organise" and "organize", and returns the matching entry for whichever variant you type in the search box.

Dictionary — Word Definitions, Meanings & Pronunciation

Type any English word to instantly see its meanings, parts of speech, phonetics, audio pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.

Updated June 2026

Data provided by Free Dictionary API · CC BY-SA 4.0

How to use Dictionary — Word Definitions, Meanings & Pronunciation

This free online dictionary returns the full meaning of any English word — its definitions grouped by part of speech, phonetic spelling, audio pronunciation, synonyms, antonyms and real example sentences. Students, writers, ESL learners and crossword solvers use it to check spelling, settle word debates and discover precise meanings without wading through ads or sign-up walls. Results are fetched live from the open-source Free Dictionary API.

Type the English word you want to look up into the search box.
Press Define (or hit Enter) to fetch the entry from the Free Dictionary API.
Read the definitions, which are grouped by part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.).
Click Listen to hear the audio pronunciation when one is available.
Scan the synonyms and antonyms to find alternative words or opposites.

Your query is sent to Free Dictionary APIto fetch results. We don't store it.

How to read a dictionary entry

A complete dictionary entry has several parts. The headword is the word itself, followed by its phonetic transcription in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) showing how it is pronounced. Definitions are grouped by part of speech — the same spelling can be a noun, verb and adjective with different meanings. Within each part of speech, definitions are usually ordered from most common to most specialized, and many include an example sentence that shows the word used naturally in context. Synonyms (words with similar meaning) and antonyms (opposites) round out the entry and are useful for expanding vocabulary.

Common parts of speech
Part of speech	Role	Example
Noun	Names a person, place, thing or idea	serendipity, river, courage
Verb	Expresses an action or state	run, believe, become
Adjective	Describes a noun	bright, ancient, fragile
Adverb	Modifies a verb, adjective or adverb	quickly, very, well
Preposition	Shows relationship in time or space	under, between, since

Why definitions sometimes differ between dictionaries

No two dictionaries are identical because language is constantly evolving and lexicographers make editorial choices. Descriptive dictionaries record how words are actually used, including new slang and shifted meanings, while more conservative references wait for usage to settle before adding a sense. Regional differences also matter: British and American English diverge in spelling (colour vs color), pronunciation, and even meaning (the word "pants" being a clear example). This tool draws on the open Free Dictionary API, which aggregates definitions for modern English; for legal, medical or scholarly work you should still cross-check a specialist or subscription dictionary.

Worked examples

Defining "serendipity"

Inputs: serendipity

Result: noun — the occurrence of happy or beneficial events by chance

Looking up "ephemeral"

Inputs: ephemeral

Result: adjective — lasting for a very short time

Checking "ubiquitous"

Inputs: ubiquitous

Result: adjective — present, appearing, or found everywhere

Glossary

Headword: The word being defined, shown at the top of a dictionary entry.
Phonetic / IPA: A transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet that shows exactly how a word is pronounced.
Part of speech: The grammatical category of a word, such as noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
Synonym: A word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
Antonym: A word with the opposite meaning to another word.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why use Dictionary — Word Definitions, Meanings & Pronunciation?

Complete entries: definitions, part of speech, phonetics, audio, synonyms and antonyms on one screen
Audio pronunciation (where available) plays the word aloud so you learn the correct sound, not just the spelling
Synonyms and antonyms help you vary word choice and build vocabulary while writing
No ads, no sign-up, and your most recent lookups are cached so repeat searches are instant

Common use cases

Confirm the exact meaning of an unfamiliar word while reading an article or book
Find a stronger synonym while drafting an essay, email or blog post
Check pronunciation of a tricky word before a presentation or class
Settle a Scrabble or crossword dispute over whether a word is valid and what it means
Help an ESL learner understand definitions with example sentences in context

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