Dictionary.com Dictionary and Thesaurus

There is a plethora (noun; overabundance, excess) of English dictionaries available in the App Store. Some are free, some are not. Some work offline, some do not. Some are good, some are not so good. They all offer different features, which makes it hard to know which one(s) to choose. To help you sort out this dictionary dilemma, we'll be reviewing some of the best ones in the coming weeks, starting with Dictionary.com.

The good news is that the Dictionary.com app is free (though an ad-free version is available for $2.99). Another advantage is that you don't need an internet connection to search for words, an important consideration if your Wi-Fi connection is unreliable (like in my office!) Watch this video to learn about the various other features.

COMMENTS
The voice search function is not perfect (a search for 'conservatory' gave 'conservative tree'!), but that's a minor quibble (noun; a slight objection). What really sets this dictionary app apart from others is the integrated hyperlinked thesaurus, which is great for expanding your vocabulary. Learners of English will also find the audio prounciations very useful. An online version is available at www.dictionary.com, but I found the ads terribly intrusive (adjective; tending or apt to intrude)—and you can't even pay to get rid of them! 

THE BOTTOM LINE
Installing the free version of this app is a total no brainer (noun, informal; something requiring little thought or effort). The only question is whether you think it's worth paying a small amount to get rid of those pesky ads.

ALSO SEE
• Dictionary.com - Dictionary & Thesaurus - iPad (Macworld)
• Look-up words using Dictionary.com for iPad – iPad app review (Which?)
• iPad App Review: Dictionary.com (edwinarceo.com)

Comments

[Chris Neal]

I have actually had the Dictionary.com app installed for some time but did not explore the features until I spotted this web page and the very useful video tutorial. The tutorial was excellent - now I understand this free app better and have unlocked even more value. Good tutorial and good web site. Many thanks.

[Jeffrey Hill]

Thanks Chris, I'm glad you found it useful.