Dictionary.com Official App, Loaded with Cool Features besides Definitions
by Paul Wilks
Jul 26, 2011 7:44 AM –
Install
Dictionary.com is the official app, unsurprisingly, of Dictionary.com, one of the best known dictionary websites on the Internet (certainly the easiest to remember). Obviously the app helps you find correct spellings of words and word definitions, but it also comes with a load of additional features that makes this more than just a reference application when you forget the correct spelling of ‘necessary’.
Price: Free
Tested on: HTC Desire HD
Content Rating: Low Maturity
Pros
- Brief but accurate definitions.
- Voice recognition definitions look it up.
- Word of the Day, Spanish Word of the Day, Question of the Day and The Hot Word features.
- Pronunciations.
- Word of the Day Widget
- Customizable backgrounds.
- Easy switch to Thesaurus.
Cons
Features:
The Dictionary.com application is more than just a tool to look up words. Rather it is fully featured word application that performs a variety of word-related tasks. Know a word but not sure how it’s spelt? Dictionary.com lets you speak the word to look it up. If you are unsure how a certain word is pronounced, the app will pronounce it for you. Definitions are brief and to the point, unlike say the Oxford English Dictionary website which offers extensive word details and history, but this is perhaps ideal for a mobile platform.
There is a specific section for additional features. You have ‘Word of the day’, easily digestible for expanding your vocabulary, ‘Spanish word of the day’, ‘Question of the day’, which poses a grammatical or language query of interest. There is also ‘The Hot Word’ which asks a further question every day related to word or letter origins. It is all superbly researched and items are interesting and topical.
As an English Literature student and a writer, I have used this app quite a lot over my degree and word; either by needing a correct spelling or being more expressive in my word-use and utilizing the Thesaurus functionality. Fundamentally then, Dictionary.com is hugely useful. However all the other elements are also great if you have an interest in idioms, language and word history, perhaps not so much if this doesn’t float your boat. Ultimately this app is can be for everyone; every day help with spelling at school or homework, a good resource of English word definitions and pronunciations for non-English speakers, students, writers in addition to people with deep interest in words and language.
The app features a widget for ‘Word of the day’ but not one for a quick word look up, which seems really bizarre. Using a dictionary is typically something you would need on the spur of the moment- an ideal function would be a 4×1 search bar which would open the app up on searching.
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Dictionary.Com – Word of the Day
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Dictionary.Com – Spanish Word of the Day
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Dictionary.Com – Question of the Day
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Dictionary.Com – Easy search funtion
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Dictionary.Com – The Hot Word
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Dictionary.Com – Voice recognition
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Dictionary.Com – Switch between Dictionary and Thesaurus
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Dictionary.Com – Thesaurus view
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Dictionary.Com – Thesaurus view.
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Dictionary.Com – Recent history
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Dictionary.Com – Widget
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Dictionary.Com – Share App options
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Dictionary.Com – Variety of backgrounds to personalize your experience.
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Dictionary.Com – Lots of backgrounds to choose from.
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Dictionary.Com – Diamonds background
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Dictionary.Com – Wood chip background
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Dictionary.Com – Options to hear word spoken, favourite or share word.
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Dictionary.Com – More
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Dictionary.Com – Clear definitions
Usefulness:
Hugely useful, this app could help you out no end in learning the spelling and definitions of words. If you want to expand your vocabulary this is also a great app for aiding that.
Ease of Use:
The app is very simple to use and operate. The controls are functional and intuitive and looking up spellings and definitions are easy. Furthermore, the voice recognition feature allows you to look up words without even typing. I’ve used this feature quite a lot and it’s very accurate and useful.
Frequently Used:
Obviously this depends very much on the individual and what the app is used for. Word fans who follow the ‘Word of the Day’ feature will probably check the app out every day. Students and writers, knee-deep in essays and deadlines might require the app even more regularly. Many people might just require the app occasionally to check on particular word spellings or definitions.
Interface:
The interface is simple and clear. The in-app advertising is pretty discreet and you can alter the background of the application. There is a variety of backgrounds to choose from so there should be one that suits you.
Tags:
Android App,
Android Apps,
AndroidTapp.com App Review,
Dictionary,
Dictionary App,
Dictionary.com,
Word Definitions App
Categorised in: Books & Reference, Productivity, Tools
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