Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Free dictionary and thesaurus app with Word of the Day, vocabulary quizzes and offline definitions.
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About Merriam-Webster Dictionary
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary app is the phone version of one of the best-known American dictionaries, for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Android. It isn't a structured vocabulary course, but it covers the habits many people use to build vocabulary: a Word of the Day with an explanation of its meaning and use, short word games and quizzes that test what you know, and a favorites list, synced through iCloud, for saving words you come across while reading. The dictionary works fully offline, includes voice search, real-voice audio pronunciations and example sentences, and has an integrated thesaurus with more than 200,000 word choices, which helps when you're hunting for a more precise word while writing. On Apple Watch it shows the Word of the Day and short definitions. The app is free with ads; in-app purchases remove ads and add the Kids, Medical and Legal dictionaries, and the store also lists a low-cost Premium subscription. It suits readers and writers who want an authoritative reference with a daily word on the side, at little or no cost. The trade-off is the lack of structure: there's no spaced repetition, level test or study plan, so new words only stick if you review your saved favorites yourself.
Best for: Readers and writers who want an authoritative dictionary with a free daily word and quizzes.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free, with full offline definitions and synonyms
- Built-in thesaurus with 200,000+ word choices
- Word of the Day on phone and Apple Watch
- Low-cost purchase removes ads
Why people leave
- No spaced repetition or study plan
- Free version shows ads
- Quizzes are short and general rather than personalized
Top Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternatives
See all 4- 1
Word of the Day (Vocabulous)83.8Builds a full habit around the daily word, with quizzes, spaced review and Lock Screen widgets.
- 2
Vocabulary.com64.8A learner's dictionary with plain-language explanations that feeds the words you look up into an adaptive quiz trainer.
- 3
Vocabulary - Learn words daily61.8A scrolling word feed and Lock Screen widget, if you want more than one new word a day.
- 4
WordPal59.4Adds the spaced-repetition testing a dictionary app lacks, with free daily synonym quizzes.
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Merriam-Webster Dictionary: common questions
Is Merriam-Webster Dictionary free?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary has a free plan and paid plans.
Is Merriam-Webster Dictionary open source?
No, Merriam-Webster Dictionary is not open source.
What platforms does Merriam-Webster Dictionary run on?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary is available for iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Merriam-Webster Dictionary?
The highest-ranked Merriam-Webster Dictionary alternatives right now are Word of the Day (Vocabulous), Vocabulary.com and Vocabulary - Learn words daily. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.