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Dictionary.com VS Wiktionary

Compare Dictionary.com VS Wiktionary and see what are their differences

Dictionary.com logo Dictionary.com

Dictionary.com is the world’s leading digital dictionary. We provide millions of English definitions, spellings, audio pronunciations, example sentences, and word origins.

Wiktionary logo Wiktionary

Open Source wiki-dictionary by the Wikimedia foundation
  • Dictionary.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-20
  • Wiktionary Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-01

Dictionary.com features and specs

  • Comprehensive Definitions
    Dictionary.com provides extensive and detailed definitions for a wide range of words, including modern slang and technical terms.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The website is designed with a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to search for and find word definitions quickly.
  • Additional Learning Tools
    It includes various learning tools, such as synonyms, antonyms, word origins, example sentences, and pronunciation guides.
  • Mobile App Availability
    Dictionary.com offers a mobile app, allowing users to access its resources on smartphones and tablets.
  • Regular Updates
    The site frequently updates its word database and content to include newly coined terms and reflect changes in language usage.

Possible disadvantages of Dictionary.com

  • Ads and Pop-Ups
    The free version of Dictionary.com contains numerous advertisements and pop-ups, which can be distracting and reduce the overall user experience.
  • Limited Free Features
    Some features, such as advanced search tools and personalized learning resources, are locked behind a paywall or require a subscription.
  • Occasional Inaccuracies
    While generally reliable, there can be occasional inaccuracies or outdated information, particularly with less common or highly specialized terms.
  • Internet Dependency
    Accessing Dictionary.com requires an internet connection, which may not be convenient for all users, especially when using the web version.
  • Data Privacy Concerns
    Like many online services, Dictionary.com may collect user data for advertising and analytics purposes, raising potential privacy concerns.

Wiktionary features and specs

  • Comprehensive Language Coverage
    Wiktionary offers extensive multilingual support, providing entries in a wide array of languages, making it a valuable resource for language learners and those interested in linguistics.
  • Free and Open Access
    As an open-source, freely accessible resource, Wiktionary allows anyone to use its content without any cost, which is beneficial for both casual users and researchers.
  • User-Generated Content
    Wiktionary relies on contributions from volunteers around the world. This can lead to rapid updates and additions of new words and meanings.
  • Rich Content Variety
    Beyond simple definitions, Wiktionary includes etymologies, pronunciation guides, usage examples, and translations, providing a rich and detailed understanding of words.
  • Community and Editorial Oversight
    While contributions are user-generated, there is a robust community and editorial oversight to ensure quality and accuracy in entries.

Possible disadvantages of Wiktionary

  • Variable Quality and Consistency
    Due to the user-generated nature of the content, some entries might lack citation, uniformity, or accuracy, especially in lesser-known languages.
  • Complex User Interface
    The interface can be somewhat complex and might be overwhelming for new users who are not familiar with wikimedia-style formatting and navigation.
  • Limited Specialist Terminology
    Wiktionary may sometimes fall short when it comes to highly specialized or technical terms, which might not be as thoroughly covered as in dedicated industry-specific dictionaries.
  • Potential for Vandalism
    Since it is an open-edit platform, there is always the potential for vandalism or deliberate insertion of incorrect information, although the community usually addresses these promptly.
  • Dependency on Active Contributions
    The quality and completeness of Wiktionary rely heavily on its active contributor base. If the level of contribution drops, it could impact the regular updates and additions to the dictionary.

Analysis of Dictionary.com

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Dictionary.com is considered a good resource for those seeking reliable definitions and language tools. It supports various learning needs and is accessible to a wide audience, making it a valuable tool for students, writers, and anyone looking to improve their language skills.

Why this product is good

  • Dictionary.com is a well-established online dictionary that provides users with comprehensive definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. It is frequently updated to include new words and meanings, ensuring its relevance and accuracy. Additionally, the platform offers language resources like grammar articles, word origins, and quizzes that can enhance vocabulary and language understanding.

Recommended for

  • Students researching word meanings or preparing for exams.
  • Writers or content creators looking for accurate definitions and synonyms.
  • Individuals looking to learn new words and improve their vocabulary.
  • Teachers seeking educational resources for language lessons.
  • Anyone interested in language and its correct usage.

Analysis of Wiktionary

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Wiktionary is generally considered good due to its extensive and detailed entries, wide language support, and free accessibility. However, as with any wiki-based platform, the accuracy and completeness of entries can vary, so cross-referencing with other reliable sources is advisable for critical uses.

Why this product is good

  • Wiktionary is a free, collaboratively edited dictionary available in multiple languages. It provides definitions, etymologies, pronunciations, translations, and examples of usage for words. It's a comprehensive resource for those looking to understand word meanings and language nuances.

Recommended for

  • Language learners
  • Writers
  • Researchers
  • Students
  • Anyone seeking a comprehensive and free lexical resource

Dictionary.com videos

Dictionary.com - App Review - Speak The Words Your Want To Define

More videos:

  • Review - Thesaurus Rex by Dictionary.com Review
  • Review - Dictionary.com(Review Application for Learning English)
  • Review - Android APP Review - Dictionary.com
  • Review - Dictionary.com

Wiktionary videos

review - Wiktionary Things To Know Before You Get This

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Dictionary.com and Wiktionary)
Dictionary
75 75%
25% 25
Online Dictionary
61 61%
39% 39
Languages
60 60%
40% 40
Grammar Checker
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Dictionary.com seems to be a lot more popular than Wiktionary. While we know about 877 links to Dictionary.com, we've tracked only 36 mentions of Wiktionary. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Dictionary.com mentions (877)

  • What's Going on with 'Nonplussed'?
    American Heritage is much better. They respond to usage, but much more conservatively. And their entries will actually have brief explanations from their "usage panel" about ambiguous or changing meanings. https://dictionary.com. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Sam Harris #1 quote about Free Will
    I don't know what to say. The act of making a choice is just to "select from two or more possibilities," as dictionary.com puts it. We do that. Cats and dogs and birds do that. Single cell amoebas do that. Trees can even be said to do that. And certainly computers do that. Even the problem Sam Harris is stating above is in the form of an if-then statement, the fundamental conditional statement upon which... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Was beast mode weaker then robot mode?
    Yeah, here's what dictionary.com says about the phrase's origins:. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Hanging vines
    My wife set up a bunch of her mature vines hanging down from our entrance staircase (both sides). On the left is about a five year old String of Hearts, then Monstera (only a couple of years old), then Pothos (about five years old). The String of Hearts is about 10 feet long, but seems to still get nutrients and moisture to the end. The pothoses (strangely, that is what dictionary.com says is the plural of... Source: over 1 year ago
  • what's the meaning of imminent
    This word is very interesting. I came across it in a comic. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary's definition seems like a synonym of immediate, but dictionary.com's definition seems more suitable for the comic. Source: over 1 year ago
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Wiktionary mentions (36)

  • I don't know which is worse
    When you use the dictionary in English, as I tell to anyone learning English, the best dictionary is not a traditional dictionary, but is wiktionary.org, which itself includes the same definitions as the ones you've linked, but additionally contains "usage notes" that point out how rare and niche the archaic use of "America" to refer to a geographical continent is. It only comes up when you are talking about... Source: about 2 years ago
  • What is the best translator for Russian?
    For single words just use a dictionary. wiktionary.org works most of the time and usually is very informative. Source: about 2 years ago
  • is there a website that shows detailed structure of the word like suffix, roots or case endings?
    Wiktionary.org is very good if you can read Finnish well enough. I don't expect English wiktionary to have a lot of content. Source: about 2 years ago
  • is the b silent in subtle? How do I pronounce it?
    Two good resources to check for accurate pronunciation are wiktionary.org and forvo.com for a variety of voice recordings for words. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is my English understandable?
    For words, it helps a lot to look them up on wiktionary.org or dictionary.com and read the IPA. For example, "complicated" is a word which stresses the 1st syllable, but you've put the stress on the 3rd. Generally, the stress stays on the same part of the word as the root word (COM-pli-cate), and adding -ed or -ing doesn't change it. e.g. MO-ti-vate, MO-tivating, MO-tivated. Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Dictionary.com and Wiktionary, you can also consider the following products

GoldenDict - The program has the following features: Use of WebKit for an accurate articles' representation, complete with all formatting, colors, images and links.

The Free Dictionary - The World's most comprehensive free online dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia with synonyms, definitions, idioms, abbreviations, and medical, financial, legal specialized dictionaries

Google Translate - Google's free service instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages.

Mr.Webtool - A comprehensive suite of English language tools, courses, and resources, all in one platform, for those who use the English language every day.

WordReference - WordReference is a free online Oxford dictionaries for Spanish, French, Italian, German and more.

Correct My Grammar - Ai based tool to correct your grammar & rephrase sentences.