Top 9 Free Online English Dictionaries 2020

Dictionaries help us every day. Sometimes we just check how to spell a word and we don't even click on the articles because google search corrects us immediately and that's great. But there are cases when you need to know the word meaning and sentence examples, pronunciation, more context. To do that you need reliable sources. These reliable sources have names. Let's learn these names.

1. Collins

Collins online dictionary

Collins dictionary is easy to use and has a convenient structure. This dictionary offers everything you need about words. It also has thesaurus and grammar sections, plus they publish up-to-date articles and short quizzes for their visitors. The definitions they provide are put in simple words so even new esl learners can manage to understand the explanations.

2. Cambridge

Cambridge online dictionary

Cambridge is a good choice too if you are looking for a good and design friendly online dictionary. This source also offers additional articles and tests. All specific notes are marked different colors.

3. Oxford

Oxfrod online dictionary - simple design and no logo which is strange

Oxford dictionary possesses same features probably less text information but I would like to point out their descriptive pictures. For example, if you type 'car' in the search bar this dictionary will show you not only how the car looks, which I think everyone knows, it shows the car structure and types of this vehicle.

4. Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster online dictionary

The best American English dictionary is a huge tool to widen your vocabulary and learn other details about the language. I would like to note its formality of definitions. Sometimes to understand an unknown word it takes several minutes because in the description of this word on Webster the language could be too formal. But this is not a disadvantage, people need such definitions and every article has an explanations 'for kids'. Plus, on the sites bottom there are links to other Webster projects.

5. Longman

I like Longman dictionaries. In fact, I even have 1 printed version of their dictionaries. It's awesome, great color choice and tips of different kinds, additional material in the middle of the book. The online version of Longman Contemporary Dictionary is nice too. It doesn't have too much text description of words but enough to get the meaning.

6. Macmillan

Macmillan online dictionary

As far as I can see Macmillan is more focused on its printed books. But on Macmillan online dictionary you can find a list of free videos. I think many users would be glad to watch grammar and vocabulary tips made by professionals.

7. Dictionary.com

Dictionary.com - what a great domain name! This site attracts millions of users daily. Around 70 000 000 people visit this source per month. Dictionry.com is a nice online instrument but it is less diverse than the TOP 5 in this list. Anyway this is not a reason to avoid it, check the link and try it for yourself.

8. Wiktionary

Wikinary is a mighty tool. There you will find everything to understand any word. And it has link to Wikipedia main articles. The reason I placed it 8 because all the articles lead us to already mentioned dictionaries above. So it is not an original source but works perfect.

9. The Free Dictionary

The Free Dictionary is a collection of definitions from other dictionaries. When you look up a word on this site it shows you extracts from other dictionaries. It fits if you want to compare definitions from different sources within one page.