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{{short description|Online dictionary}}
{{short description|Online dictionary}}
{{use mdy dates |date=October 2023}}
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{{ Infobox website
{{Italic title}}
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| name = Dictionary.com
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{{Infobox website
⚫
| name = ''Dictionary.com''
| logo = Dictionary.com new logo 2020.svg
| logo = Dictionary.com new logo 2020.svg
| url = {{URL|http://www.dictionary.com}}
| url = {{URL|https://www.dictionary.com/}}
| commercial = Yes
| commercial = Yes
| type = [[Dictionary]]
| type = [[Dictionary]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| owner = [[Rock Holdings]]
| owner = IXL Learning
| author = Brian Kariger<br>Daniel Fierro
| author = {{ubl|Brian Kariger|Daniel Fierro}}
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1995|5|14}}
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1995|5|14}}
}}
}}
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'''''Dictionary.com''''' is an online [[dictionary]] whose domain was first registered on May 14, 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dictionary.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info - DomainTools |url=http://whois.domaintools.com/dictionary.com |website=whois.domaintools.com |access-date=16 June 2016 |archive-date=8 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108234336/https://whois.domaintools.com/dictionary.com |url-status=live }}</ref> The primary content on ''Dictionary.com'' is a proprietary dictionary based on ''[[Random House Unabridged Dictionary]]'', with editors for the site providing new and updated definitions.<ref name=ibtimes.com>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/deep-web-revenge-porn-microaggression-are-just-some-dictionarycoms-latest-additions-1918550 |title=Deep Web, Revenge Porn And Microaggression Are Just Some of Dictionary.com's Latest Additions |last=Herman |first=Barbara |date=May 12, 2015 |website=International Business Times |access-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408014356/https://www.ibtimes.com/deep-web-revenge-porn-microaggression-are-just-some-dictionarycoms-latest-additions-1918550 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/03/909494937/dictionary-coms-largest-update-re-defines-thousands-of-words-focusing-on-identit |title=Dictionary.com's Largest Update (Re)defines Thousands Of Words, Focusing On Identity |date=2020-09-03 |access-date=2021-04-16 |website=[[NPR]] |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |archive-date=2022-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425080711/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/03/909494937/dictionary-coms-largest-update-re-defines-thousands-of-words-focusing-on-identit|url-status=live}}</ref> Supplementary content comes from the ''[[Collins English Dictionary]]'', ''[[The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language|American Heritage Dictionary]]'' and others.<ref name=cjr.org>{{cite web |url=https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/dictionary-oed-m-w-new-words.php |title=Dictionaries recently added more than 1,500 words. Here are some new entries |last=Perlman |first=Merrill |date=April 29, 2019 |website=Columbia Journalism Review |access-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425080711/https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/dictionary-oed-m-w-new-words.php |url-status=live}}</ref> It is owned by IXL Learning.<ref name=":0" />

⚫
'''Dictionary.com''' is an online [[dictionary]] whose domain was first registered on May 14, 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dictionary.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info - DomainTools |url=http://whois.domaintools.com/dictionary.com |website=whois.domaintools.com |access-date=16 June 2016}}</ref> The content for Dictionary.com is based on the latest version of ''[[Random House Unabridged Dictionary]]'', with editors for the site providing new and updated definitions.<ref name=ibtimes.com>{{cite web | url =https://www.ibtimes.com/deep-web-revenge-porn-microaggression-are-just-some-dictionarycoms-latest-additions-1918550| title =Deep Web, Revenge Porn And Microaggression Are Just Some of Dictionary.com's Latest Additions| last =Herman| first =Barbara| date =May 12, 2015| website =International Business Times| publisher =| access-date =February 24, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/03/909494937/dictionary-coms-largest-update-re-defines-thousands-of-words-focusing-on-identit|title=Dictionary.com's Largest Update (Re)defines Thousands Of Words, Focusing On Identity|date=2020-09-03|access-date=2021-04-16|website=NPR|last=Treisman|first=Rachel}}</ref> Supplementary content comes from the ''[[Collins English Dictionary]]'', ''[[The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language|American Heritage Dictionary]]'' and others.<ref name=cjr.org>{{cite web| url =https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/dictionary-oed-m-w-new-words.php| title =Dictionaries recently added more than 1,500 words. Here are some new entries | last =Perlman| first =Merrill| date =April 29, 2019| website =Columbia Journalism Review| access-date =February 25, 2020}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Dictionary.com was founded by Brian Kariger and Daniel Fierro as part of Lexico Publishing, which also started Thesaurus.com and [[Reference.com]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lexico, Dictionary.com Being Acquired By Ask.com; Price In $100 Million Range|url=http://gigaom.com/2008/05/15/419-lexico-dictionarycom-being-acquired-by-askcom-after-100-million-answers/|publisher=Gigacom|access-date=2014-01-24}}</ref> At the time of its launch, it was one of the web's first in-depth reference sites.<ref name=WallStreetJournal>{{cite web| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/defining-moment-for-dictionary-com-its-for-sale-1522085400| title =Defining Moment for Dictionary.com - It's For Sale|last =Alpert| first =Lukas| date =March 26, 2018| website =Wall Street Journal| access-date =March 17, 2020}}</ref> In July 2008, Lexico Publishing Group, LLC, was acquired by [[Ask.com]], an [[IAC (company)|IAC]] company,<ref>{{cite news|last=Auchard|first=Eric|date=July 4, 2008|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ask-dictionary-idUSN0337985120080703|title=Ask.com closes acquisition of Dictionary.com|publisher=Reuters|access-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> and renamed Dictionary.com, LLC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891103/000104746913005526/a2214555zex-3_13.htm|title=Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Dictionary.com, LLC|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|date=July 17, 2008|access-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> In 2018, IAC sold Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com to [[Rock Holdings]].<ref name=wkycstudios/> At the time of the sale, Dictionary.com was the 447th most trafficked website in the United States, according to the website tracking service [[SimilarWeb]].<ref name=wkycstudios>{{cite web | url =https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nba/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-owner-dan-gilbert-just-dipped-into-the-online-dictionary-thesaurus-business/95-614972691 |title = Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert just dipped into the online dictionary, thesaurus business|last =Reindl|first =JC|date =November 15, 2018|website =WKYC Studios}}</ref> In 2015, they estimated that there are 5.5 billion word searches a year on its site.<ref name=chicagotribune>{{cite web|url =https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-mx-pronoun-added-to-dictionary-balancing-heidi-stevens-1111-20151111-column.html |title ='Mx.' instead of 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.?' It's in the dictionary now |last =Stevens| first =Heidi| date =November 11, 2015| website =Chicago Tribune| access-date =February 25, 2020}}</ref>
''Dictionary.com'' was founded by Brian Kariger and Daniel Fierro as part of Lexico Publishing, which also started ''Thesaurus.com'' and [[Reference.com]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lexico, Dictionary.com Being Acquired By Ask.com; Price In $100 Million Range |url=http://gigaom.com/2008/05/15/419-lexico-dictionarycom-being-acquired-by-askcom-after-100-million-answers/ |publisher=Gigacom |first1=Staci D. |last1=Kramer |date=May 15, 2008 |access-date=2014-01-24 |archive-date=2021-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117222013/https://gigaom.com/2008/05/15/419-lexico-dictionarycom-being-acquired-by-askcom-after-100-million-answers/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> At the time of its launch, it was one of the web's first in-depth reference sites.<ref name=WallStreetJournal>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/defining-moment-for-dictionary-com-its-for-sale-1522085400 |url-access=subscription |title=Defining Moment for Dictionary.com - It's For Sale |last=Alpert |first=Lukas |date=March 26, 2018 |website=Wall Street Journal |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408014355/https://www.wsj.com/articles/defining-moment-for-dictionary-com-its-for-sale-1522085400 |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2008, Lexico Publishing Group, LLC, was acquired by [[Ask.com]], an [[IAC (company) |IAC]] company,<ref>{{cite news |last=Auchard |first=Eric |date=July 4, 2008 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ask-dictionary-idUSN0337985120080703 |title=Ask.com closes acquisition of Dictionary.com |publisher=Reuters |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408015859/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ask-dictionary-idUSN0337985120080703 |url-status=live}}</ref> and renamed Dictionary.com, LLC.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891103/000104746913005526/a2214555zex-3_13.htm |title=Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Dictionary.com, LLC |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=July 17, 2008 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006131528/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/891103/000104746913005526/a2214555zex-3_13.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, IAC sold Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com to [[Rock Holdings]].<ref name=wkycstudios/> At the time of the sale, Dictionary.com was the 447th most trafficked website in the United States, according to the website tracking service [[SimilarWeb]].<ref name=wkycstudios>{{cite web |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nba/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-owner-dan-gilbert-just-dipped-into-the-online-dictionary-thesaurus-business/95-614972691 |title= Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert just dipped into the online dictionary, thesaurus business |last=Reindl |first=JC |date=November 15, 2018 |website=WKYC Studios}}</ref> In 2015, they estimated that there are 5.5 billion word searches a year on its site.<ref name=chicagotribune>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-mx-pronoun-added-to-dictionary-balancing-heidi-stevens-1111-20151111-column.html |title='Mx.' instead of 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.?' It's in the dictionary now |last=Stevens |first=Heidi |date=November 11, 2015 |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408014358/https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-mx-pronoun-added-to-dictionary-balancing-heidi-stevens-1111-20151111-column.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, Rock Holdings sold Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com to IXL Learning.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Learning |first=I. X. L. |title=IXL Learning Acquires Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ixl-learning-acquires-dictionarycom-and-thesauruscom-302104315.html |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>


==Features and services==
==Features==
Among its features, Dictionary.com offers a Word of the Day,<ref name="Dictionary.com Word of the Day">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/emolument|title=Definition of emolument &#124; Dictionary.com|website=www.dictionary.com}}</ref> a crossword solver,<ref>{{Cite web|title=15 crossword solvers for Android, iOS, and the web that actually work!|url=https://www.androidauthority.com/best-crossword-solvers-1040319/|date=2020-03-05|website=Android Authority|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref> and a pop culture dictionary<ref>{{Cite web|title=Terms Like 'OK Boomer' Are Hard to Define. This Dictionary Is Trying Anyway|url=https://time.com/5782508/ok-boomer-meaning-slang-dictionary/|website=Time|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref> that includes emoji and slang sections.
Among its features, ''Dictionary.com'' offers a Word of the Day,<ref name="Dictionary.com Word of the Day">{{Cite web |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/emolument |title=Definition of emolument |website=dictionary.com |access-date=2020-04-28 |archive-date=2022-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408014351/https://www.dictionary.com/browse/emolument |url-status=live}}</ref> a crossword solver,<ref>{{Cite web |title=15 crossword solvers for Android, iOS, and the web that actually work! |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/best-crossword-solvers-1040319/ |date=2020-03-05 |website=Android Authority |language=en-US |access-date=2020-05-08 |archive-date=2022-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408014351/https://www.androidauthority.com/best-crossword-solvers-1040319/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and a pop culture dictionary<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Terms Like 'OK Boomer' Are Hard to Define. This Dictionary Is Trying Anyway |first=Katy |last=Steinmetz |date=12 February 2020 |url=https://time.com/5782508/ok-boomer-meaning-slang-dictionary/|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref> that includes emoji and slang sections.


In 2010, Dictionary.com began a [[Word of the Year]] feature with the word 'change'.<ref name=cnn>{{cite web
In 2010, ''Dictionary.com'' began a [[Word of the Year]] feature with the word ''change''.<ref name=cnn>{{cite web |first=Brandon |last=Griggs
| url =https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/15/world/words-year-dictionary-com-trnd/index.html
| url =https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/15/world/words-year-dictionary-com-trnd/index.html
| title =What Dictionary.com's words of the year say about us
| title =What Dictionary.com's words of the year say about us
| date = December 15, 2018
| date =December 15, 2018
| publisher = CNN
| publisher =CNN
| access-date =December 19, 2019
| access-date =December 19, 2019
| archive-date =April 8, 2022
⚫
}}</ref> The selection is based on search trends on the site throughout the year and the news events that drive them.<ref name=clickondetroit>{{cite web | url =https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2019/12/02/existential-crowned-word-of-the-year-by-dictionarycom/
| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20220408014355/https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/15/world/words-year-dictionary-com-trnd/index.html
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| title ="Existential' crowned word of the year by Dictionary.com
| url-status =live
⚫
}}</ref> The selection is based on search trends on the site throughout the year and the news events that drive them.<ref name=clickondetroit>{{cite web
| url =https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2019/12/02/existential-crowned-word-of-the-year-by-dictionarycom/
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| title ="Existential' crowned word of the year by Dictionary.com
| website =Click on Detroit
| website =Click on Detroit
| access-date =December 19, 2019
| access-date =December 19, 2019
| archive-date =April 25, 2022
⚫
}}</ref> Dictionary.com's words of the year have been:<ref name="cnn" />
| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20220425080716/https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2019/12/02/existential-crowned-word-of-the-year-by-dictionarycom/
* 2010: [[wikt:change|Change]]
| url-status =live
* 2011: [[wikt:tergiversate|Tergiversate]]
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}}</ref> ''Dictionary.com''<nowiki/>'s words of the year have been:<ref name="cnn" />
* 2012: [[wikt:bluster|Bluster]]
* 2013: [[Privacy]]
* 2010: ''[[wikt:change|change]]''
* 2014: [[wikt:exposure|Exposure]]
* 2011: ''[[wikt:tergiversate|tergiversate]]''
* 2015: [[wikt:identity|Identity]]
* 2012: ''[[wikt:bluster|bluster]]''
* 2016: [[Xenophobia]]
* 2013: ''[[privacy]]''
* 2017: [[Complicit]]
* 2014: ''[[wikt:exposure|exposure]]''
* 2018: [[Misinformation]]
* 2015: ''[[wikt:identity|identity]]''
* 2016: ''[[xenophobia]]''
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* 2019: [[wikt:existential|Existential]]<ref name=clickondetroit/>
* 2017: ''[[complicit]]''
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* 2020: [[Pandemic]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-30|title=The Dictionary.com Word Of The Year For 2020 Is ...|url=https://www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-the-year/|access-date=2021-01-24|website=Dictionary.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
* 2018: ''[[misinformation]]''

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* 2019: ''[[wikt:existential|existential]]''<ref name=clickondetroit/>
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* 2021: [[Allyship]]
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* 2020: ''[[pandemic]]''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-30|title=The Dictionary.com Word Of The Year For 2020 Is ...|url=https://www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-the-year/|access-date=2021-01-24|website=Dictionary.com|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204073715/https://www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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* 2021: ''[[allyship]]''
* 2022: ''[[woman]]''
* 2023: ''[[hallucination (artificial intelligence)|hallucinate]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Dictionary.com Word of the Year is ''hallucinate''. |url=https://content.dictionary.com/word-of-the-year-2023/ |date=2023-12-12 |website=Dictionary.com |language=en-US |access-date=2024-01-15 |archive-date=2024-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115052119/https://content.dictionary.com/word-of-the-year-2023// |url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2024: ''[[demure]]''


In April 2009, they launched an [[Mobile app|app]] on the [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] allowing users to find definitions and synonyms. It also included audio pronunciations, alphabetical indexing, and synonym example sentences.<ref name=techcrunch>{{cite web | url =https://techcrunch.com/2009/04/08/dictionarycom-launches-free-iphone-app/ | title =Dictionary.com Launches Free iPhone App | last =Rao | first =Leena | date =April 8, 2009 | website=Tech Crunch}}</ref> Since then, Dictionary.com released a standalone [[thesaurus]] app called ''Thesaurus Rex'' along with education apps, ''Dictionary.com Flashcards'', ''Word Dynamo'', and ''Learning to Read with Zoo Animals''.
In April 2009, they launched an [[Mobile app|app]] on the [[App Store (iOS)|Apple App Store]] allowing users to find definitions and synonyms. It also included audio pronunciations, alphabetical indexing, and synonym example sentences.<ref name=techcrunch>{{cite web | url =https://techcrunch.com/2009/04/08/dictionarycom-launches-free-iphone-app/ | title =Dictionary.com Launches Free iPhone App | last =Rao | first =Leena | date =April 8, 2009 | website =Tech Crunch | access-date =March 13, 2020 | archive-date =April 8, 2022 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20220408014355/https://techcrunch.com/2009/04/08/dictionarycom-launches-free-iphone-app/ | url-status =live }}</ref> Since then, ''Dictionary.com'' released a standalone [[thesaurus]] app called ''Thesaurus Rex'' along with education apps, ''Dictionary.com Flashcards'', ''Word Dynamo'', and ''Learning to Read with Zoo Animals''.


In early 2020, in response to [[Coronavirus disease|COVID-19 quarantine]] home-schooling needs, Dictionary.com launched an interactive platform for learning at home, and an online tutoring service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=41 totally free educational resources for kids stuck at home|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/03/18/free-educational-classes-and-programs-kids-home/5064311002/|last=Lane|first=Ana|date=March 18, 2020|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=May 8, 2020}}</ref> Later that year Dictionary.com’s sister site, Thesaurus.com, launched a writing assistant and grammar checker called ''Grammar Check''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Magid|first=Anigah|date=2020-10-28|title=Dictionary.com Launches Tutoring and Learning Features to Combat Language Ambiguity and Learning Burnout in 2020|url=https://news.elearninginside.com/dictionary-com-launches-tutoring-and-learning-features-to-combat-language-ambiguity-and-learning-burnout-in-2020/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-13|website=eLearningInside News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101083342/https://news.elearninginside.com/dictionary-com-launches-tutoring-and-learning-features-to-combat-language-ambiguity-and-learning-burnout-in-2020/ |archive-date=2020-11-01 }}</ref> The [[coronavirus]] outbreak led to the addition of novel words to the main dictionary (e.g., [[fomites]]) and the slang dictionary (e.g., ‘rona’).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dictionary has been updated to cover COVID-19. These are the new words|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242237646.html|last=Camero|first=Katie|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref>
In early 2020, in response to [[Coronavirus disease|COVID-19 quarantine]] home-schooling needs, ''Dictionary.com'' launched an interactive platform for learning at home, and an online tutoring service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=41 totally free educational resources for kids stuck at home|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/03/18/free-educational-classes-and-programs-kids-home/5064311002/|last=Lane|first=Ana|date=March 18, 2020|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=May 8, 2020|archive-date=April 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408014359/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/03/18/free-educational-classes-and-programs-kids-home/5064311002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year ''Dictionary.com''<nowiki/>'s sister site, ''Thesaurus.com'', launched a writing assistant and grammar checker called ''Grammar Coach''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Magid|first=Anigah|date=2020-10-28|title=Dictionary.com Launches Tutoring and Learning Features to Combat Language Ambiguity and Learning Burnout in 2020|url=https://news.elearninginside.com/dictionary-com-launches-tutoring-and-learning-features-to-combat-language-ambiguity-and-learning-burnout-in-2020/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-13|website=eLearningInside News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101083342/https://news.elearninginside.com/dictionary-com-launches-tutoring-and-learning-features-to-combat-language-ambiguity-and-learning-burnout-in-2020/ |archive-date=2020-11-01 }}</ref> The [[coronavirus]] outbreak led to the addition of novel words to the main dictionary (e.g., ''[[fomite]]'') and the slang dictionary (e.g., ''rona'').<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dictionary has been updated to cover COVID-19. These are the new words|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242237646.html|last=Camero|first=Katie|website=[[Miami Herald]]|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=May 1, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006153839/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242237646.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Lexico]]
* ''[[Lexico]]''
* [[Lists of dictionaries]]
* [[Lists of dictionaries]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 60: Line 70:


[[Category:Online English dictionaries]]
[[Category:Online English dictionaries]]
[[Category:Thesauri]]
[[Category:Thesauri (lexicography)]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1995]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1995]]
[[Category:IAC (company)]]
[[Category:IAC (company)]]

Latest revision as of 11:02, 3 December 2024

Dictionary.com
Type of site
Dictionary
Available inEnglish
OwnerIXL Learning
Created by
  • Brian Kariger
  • Daniel Fierro
URLwww.dictionary.com
CommercialYes
LaunchedMay 14, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-05-14)

Dictionary.com is an online dictionary whose domain was first registered on May 14, 1995.[1] The primary content on Dictionary.com is a proprietary dictionary based on Random House Unabridged Dictionary, with editors for the site providing new and updated definitions.[2][3] Supplementary content comes from the Collins English Dictionary, American Heritage Dictionary and others.[4] It is owned by IXL Learning.[5]

History

[edit]

Dictionary.com was founded by Brian Kariger and Daniel Fierro as part of Lexico Publishing, which also started Thesaurus.com and Reference.com.[6] At the time of its launch, it was one of the web's first in-depth reference sites.[7] In July 2008, Lexico Publishing Group, LLC, was acquired by Ask.com, an IAC company,[8] and renamed Dictionary.com, LLC.[9] In 2018, IAC sold Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com to Rock Holdings.[10] At the time of the sale, Dictionary.com was the 447th most trafficked website in the United States, according to the website tracking service SimilarWeb.[10] In 2015, they estimated that there are 5.5 billion word searches a year on its site.[11] In 2024, Rock Holdings sold Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com to IXL Learning.[5]

Features

[edit]

Among its features, Dictionary.com offers a Word of the Day,[12] a crossword solver,[13] and a pop culture dictionary[14] that includes emoji and slang sections.

In 2010, Dictionary.com began a Word of the Year feature with the word change.[15] The selection is based on search trends on the site throughout the year and the news events that drive them.[16] Dictionary.com's words of the year have been:[15]

In April 2009, they launched an app on the Apple App Store allowing users to find definitions and synonyms. It also included audio pronunciations, alphabetical indexing, and synonym example sentences.[19] Since then, Dictionary.com released a standalone thesaurus app called Thesaurus Rex along with education apps, Dictionary.com Flashcards, Word Dynamo, and Learning to Read with Zoo Animals.

In early 2020, in response to COVID-19 quarantine home-schooling needs, Dictionary.com launched an interactive platform for learning at home, and an online tutoring service.[20] Later that year Dictionary.com's sister site, Thesaurus.com, launched a writing assistant and grammar checker called Grammar Coach.[21] The coronavirus outbreak led to the addition of novel words to the main dictionary (e.g., fomite) and the slang dictionary (e.g., rona).[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Dictionary.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info - DomainTools". whois.domaintools.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  2. ^ Herman, Barbara (May 12, 2015). "Deep Web, Revenge Porn And Microaggression Are Just Some of Dictionary.com's Latest Additions". International Business Times. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  3. ^ Treisman, Rachel (September 3, 2020). "Dictionary.com's Largest Update (Re)defines Thousands Of Words, Focusing On Identity". NPR. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  4. ^ Perlman, Merrill (April 29, 2019). "Dictionaries recently added more than 1,500 words. Here are some new entries". Columbia Journalism Review. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Learning, I. X. L. "IXL Learning Acquires Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  6. ^ Kramer, Staci D. (May 15, 2008). "Lexico, Dictionary.com Being Acquired By Ask.com; Price In $100 Million Range". Gigacom. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  7. ^ Alpert, Lukas (March 26, 2018). "Defining Moment for Dictionary.com - It's For Sale". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  8. ^ Auchard, Eric (July 4, 2008). "Ask.com closes acquisition of Dictionary.com". Reuters. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  9. ^ "Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Dictionary.com, LLC". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. July 17, 2008. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Reindl, JC (November 15, 2018). "Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert just dipped into the online dictionary, thesaurus business". WKYC Studios.
  11. ^ Stevens, Heidi (November 11, 2015). "'Mx.' instead of 'Mr.' or 'Mrs.?' It's in the dictionary now". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  12. ^ "Definition of emolument". dictionary.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "15 crossword solvers for Android, iOS, and the web that actually work!". Android Authority. March 5, 2020. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  14. ^ Steinmetz, Katy (February 12, 2020). "Terms Like 'OK Boomer' Are Hard to Define. This Dictionary Is Trying Anyway". Time. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Griggs, Brandon (December 15, 2018). "What Dictionary.com's words of the year say about us". CNN. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  16. ^ a b ""Existential' crowned word of the year by Dictionary.com". Click on Detroit. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  17. ^ "The Dictionary.com Word Of The Year For 2020 Is ..." Dictionary.com. November 30, 2020. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  18. ^ "The Dictionary.com Word of the Year is hallucinate". Dictionary.com. December 12, 2023. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  19. ^ Rao, Leena (April 8, 2009). "Dictionary.com Launches Free iPhone App". Tech Crunch. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  20. ^ Lane, Ana (March 18, 2020). "41 totally free educational resources for kids stuck at home". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  21. ^ Magid, Anigah (October 28, 2020). "Dictionary.com Launches Tutoring and Learning Features to Combat Language Ambiguity and Learning Burnout in 2020". eLearningInside News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  22. ^ Camero, Katie (April 23, 2020). "Dictionary has been updated to cover COVID-19. These are the new words". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
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