Top 4 | Best English Online Dictionaries
Blog >> Languages >> English | Dictionaries
Online English dictionaries are absolutely essential for learning English.
Unlike heavy paper dictionaries, online dictionaries are very convenient as you can search for words anytime and anywhere. I always use them every single day! 😊
In this article, I’ve compiled a list of free online English Dictionaries including Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Hindi, and Chinese-English, as well as English-English dictionaries. I hope you find the best dictionary to enhance your future English studies!
Collins Dictionary offers translations between multiple languages and English. If your first language is one of the following and your English proficiency isn’t high enough to fully understand explanations in English, like those in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries – explained in the 3rd section, then this is the dictionary for you!
The available languages are:
– Spanish
– French
– Italian
– German
– Portuguese
– Mandarin Chinese
– Hindi
Another great feature of the Collins Dictionary is its extensive synonyms list. It helps you avoid overusing the same words and enhances your vocabulary, making your writing more dynamic and varied.
✔️ Pros
- Available in multiple languages
- Extensive list of synonyms
- Provides phrases and example sentences
✖ Cons
- NOT very easy to read due to color scheme
- Fewer example sentences compared to other dictionaries
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English is one of my favorite dictionaries, offering multiple features to enhance your English learning and increase your proficiency.
Available in 3 languages—Japanese, Spanish, and Korean—this dictionary is especially useful if you speak any of these.
If you don’t speak these languages, don’t worry! The Longman Dictionary is an English-English dictionary, making it an excellent choice for those with an intermediate or higher level of English. This is the dictionary you need!
Features of Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English:
– List of Thesaurus
– Grammar Notes
– Example Sentences in Corpus, showcasing sentences where the word is used
The best feature is that every day, Longman Dictionary introduces 1 word as the “Word of the day” and 2 images as “Pictures of the day”. This allows you to study new words daily just by opening the dictionary!
Additionally, under the “Word of the day,” you will find around 15 words related to a specific category, enabling you to learn vocabulary even in areas that might not initially interest you.
✔️ Pros
- Good for Japanese, Korean, or Spanish-speaking people
- Includes Grammar Notes
- Outstanding features that boost your English level
✖ Cons
- Not suitable for English beginners as all content is in English
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries is an English-English dictionary recommended for intermediate to advanced English learners.
It provides clear explanations in English and includes detailed information on how to use words, such as their present, past, and past participle tenses, along with numerous example sentences.
| Included Words | Phrases and Meanings |
|---|---|
| 42,000 | 35,000 examples |
Additionally, you can find Synonyms for the word you are searching for. The dictionary also offers numerous extra examples, making it easier to understand how words are used in context.
✔️ Pros
- Best for English Learning
- Provides audio pronunciation, usage examples, and inflections
- Offers synonyms
✖ Cons
- Not suitable for English beginners as all content is in English
- Sometimes Longman Dictionary provides easy-to-understand definitions
Merriam-Webster is a recommended dictionary for those who want to enjoy English more! Since everything is in English, it might be challenging for beginners.
*However, even for beginners, it is incredibly useful when you want to look up similar words (Synonyms) or words with opposite meanings (Antonyms)! (➡ see photo 5)
Features:
- “Did you know?” section offers quick trivia with fun facts! (Photo 2)
- Synonyms section is good for finding words with similar meanings. (Photo 3)
- Word History section tells you about the origins of words. (Photo 4)
- Thesaurus page to quickly find Synonyms (words with similar meanings) and Antonyms (words with opposite meanings). (Photo 5)
You can also enjoy learning English through Games & Quizzes and more!
Please check it out if you are interested!
✔️ Pros
- Has features to make learning English fun
- Convenient when you want to know synonyms
- Tells Fun Facts about words!
✖ Cons
- Not suitable for English beginners as all content is in English
- Sometimes not easy to understand definitions
- Few short-sentence examples
＞＞ Conclusion
I introduced recommended free Online Dictionaries for English learning. Finally, I’ll summarize who each dictionary is recommended for.
- For beginners in English
ー Collins Dictionary
ー Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - For intermediate to advanced level
ー Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
ー Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries - For those who want to enjoy learning English
ー Merriam-Webster - For those who want to know Synonyms
ー Collins Dictionary
ー Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
ー Merriam-Webster
The dictionaries I’ve recommended above are my top picks among the many online English dictionaries available today!
I hope this serves as a helpful guide for anyone unsure of which dictionary to choose or seeking a free online English dictionary.
Thank you for reading till the end and visiting my website!
Enjoy your journey in learning English!😊
See ya!!
I appreciate the depth you put into your posts. This was great!
Glad you found it helpful!