The English dictionary has come a long way. With a smartphone, most of us are equipped with a vast platform of knowledge at our fingertips. Aptly named, alongside our computers, they are our first connection with the digital world in our daily lives. Connecting information at the touch of a button is an extremely powerful ability. Modern learners are familiar with such an extent that smartphones are becoming an extension of the mind itself – Google is forever at your side to answer anything and everything.
With the dictionaries now available as English dictionary apps, there’s no need to rely on traditional methods, especially when it comes to referencing words in a dictionary. These days, it just isn’t practical to bring books with you everywhere to reference information or check things regularly. These English dictionary apps have augmented the way we draw upon our smartphones for advice, providing sleek interfaces which provide us with an accurate and pleasant way to access information.
English dictionary apps condenses a huge volume information into something that is easily searchable. With a ton of extra features like geographical and biographical info, extra dictionaries for medical, scientific or legal words and pronunciation audio, you get English dictionary apps no book can match!
Here’s a round-up of the top English dictionary apps!
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
Supported on: BOOK/PC/MAC/ANDROID/OS
The Oxford dictionary is one of the most famous English language dictionaries in the world. It has many extra features that augment it as dictionary tool for language learners, like the ability to make notes on definitions and spellings, a flashcard learning system and a great thesaurus. It isn’t difficult to use, either, and puts the world’s most comprehensive dictionary into your hands for use at any time, anywhere. It’s the heavyweight of the line-up but comes at a price, at around $20.00.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive and professional dictionary
- Lots of extra features and learning systems
- Pricey
Merriam-Webster Dictionary & Thesaurus
Supported on: BOOK/PC/MAC/ANDROID/OS
The Merriam-Webster dictionary’s key difference with the Oxford version is its increased use of American-English. It’s named after the American lexicographer, Noah Webster. It’s definitely more ideally suited to those who wish to learn more from an American-English perspective but is, of course, a comprehensive and powerful dictionary for English nonetheless. It has all the advanced features you need, with pronunciation audio clips, integrated thesaurus, vocabulary quizzes and a word of the day feature.
Key Features:
- American-English dictionary
- Lots of powerful features
- Integrated thesaurus
Dictionary!!
Supported on: PC/MAC/ANDROID/OS
This compiles many dictionaries into one leviathan of an app. It has 13 other language dictionaries built in too! With derivations, definitions, usages, pronunciations and an advanced thesaurus, it covers all the key features easily. Additionally, it has specialist dictionaries for medical, legal, financial and scientific terms. You can play word games to improve your vocab, too. It’s massive! If you need something which will never leave you wanting in your vocab reference then this is it.
Key Features:
- Huge platform which contains tons of info
- Advanced dictionary is suitable for those looking for a comprehensive multi-lingual solution
Advanced English Dictionary & Thesaurus
Supported on: BOOK/PC/MAC/ANDROID/OS
This dictionary will never leave you lacking for a word to learn with 4.9 million entries! It makes searching through its enormous database intuitive and easy, it’s fast also while some dictionary’s search functions are slow and cumbersome. It has geographical and biographical data on words for a dictionary experience which is fully featured. With a sleek UI, high-quality pronunciations and example word use to boot, it has to rate as one of the best dictionaries for language learners.
Key Features:
- Great UI and data sets
- High-quality pronunciations and usage examples
WorkBook – English Dictionary and Thesaurus
Perhaps overall simpler than other contenders, this dictionary app also makes great use of various word games to enhance user’s experiences. The main thing about it though is that it is the lowest costing fully featured dictionary at $1.99. That has to rate it as one of the best dictionaries on this list, the choice for many students worldwide.
Key Features:
- Simpler, cheaper and still fully featured
- Used by many students worldwide
Concise English Dictionary & Thesaurus
Supported on: MAC/OS
This is a concise, compacted English Dictionary app which doesn’t overwhelm with added info, etymologies, usage examples and other additional features, sacrificing them in part for an interface which is quick and slick for finding the most useful words for language learners. It costs $0.99 as well, making it the perfect quick-reference dictionary for finding the most used words efficiently using its efficient search system.
Key Features:
- Small and easily referenced dictionary
- Efficiently laid out and easily searched
What’s next?
- A dictionary app is a great resource if you’re learning multiple languages at the same time.
- If you find apps a helpful resource for learning then check out our guide to the best language exchange apps.
- Dictionary apps are great but don’t just focus on the vocab alone! We’ve put together some helpful hints on how to learn a language through travel.
