You can never stop learning a language. Languages are tough. Just when you think that you’ve mastered a grammar rule, you’ll come across several exceptions you never knew. There is always room to improve your vocabulary as well. After all, there exist many words that imply different meanings when used in different contexts.
Thankfully, your smartphone, that’s on you almost all the time, can help you out if you ever come across such linguistic jargon. Whether you are looking to improve your vocabulary or learn a new language, a dictionary app can be a handy tool to have on your smartphone.
There are plenty of dictionary apps that you can download on your Android smartphone. While some apps are hugely popular among smartphone users, there are also some lesser-known apps in the Google Play Store. Below is a list of our 11 favorite dictionary apps for Android.
Every app has its own specialty and thus caters to people with specific needs. You’ll find detailed information on each app in the list below, including a description, cost of in-app purchases if any, download size, rating, screenshots or promo videos, and a Google Play Store download link. Note that the apps aren’t listed in any specific order.
Top 11 Best Dictionary Android Apps 2021
Below is a quick overview of the top 11 best dictionary Android apps for 2021, including any download and in-app purchase costs.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
This app also comes with an integrated thesaurus with example sentences for words to help you understand their uses in different contexts. A “word of the day” feature will help you learn a new word every day. There are also some built-in word games to improve your vocabulary.
Oxford Dictionary of English
A “Tap to Translate” feature lets you look up definitions of words from other apps. You can also have a floating icon for the app so you can quickly visit your dictionary whenever you need it. The app lets you select font size and mark words as favorites as well. You can group your favorite words and definitions in folders.
Other features include voice search, camera search, word of the day, word pronunciation, and the ability to quickly share words. The Oxford Dictionary of English also integrates some special topics such as countries of the world, the solar system, collective nouns, chemical elements, and more.
This app offers multiple input methods as well. You can type or speak your word, or draw characters. It also lets you block offensive words.
Google Translate also lets you translate text from images by simply pointing your camera at an image or by importing an existing file. You can translate words from other apps as well. Translated words and phrases can be starred (saved) for future reference. You can log in with your Google account to sync your saved words across your devices.
You can bookmark search results for future reference. Offline Thesaurus Dictionary also offers a word of the day feature. It is accessible through the bell icon on the top right corner of the app.
This app is ideal for making conversation in languages you can’t read, write, and speak. You can type your text in a language you know and Hi Dictionary will translate it to your desired language. It works across all major social media apps including Facebook, Whatsapp, and Messenger. You can, of course, look up word meanings on the app as well. It sources the results from Google Translate.
Dictionary.com
This app also integrates grammar and tips, idioms and phrases, and example sentences for words. A science dictionary, a medical dictionary, a rhyming dictionary, and an encyclopedia also come integrated with this app. Dictionary.com is an all-in-one app that can help you improve your sentence structure and enhance your vocabulary with its strong catalog of words, phrases, and grammar tips.
English Dictionary
You can look up words through keyboard input or over voice commands. The app lets you assign actions such as voice search, history, or favorites to a floating button. You can also assign those actions to a shake gesture. The app lets you select the font size and line spacing of your choice as well.
Other notable features include Text to speech, Read aloud, Only uppercase, and Persistent search. English Dictionary can save up to 4,000 words in the search history. An in-built Notes feature lets you create notes for specific words so you can understand the context better, in your own terms.
Dict Box
The app offers definitions of words with example sentences and synonyms. Its word correction ability automatically corrects the spelling of mistyped words to display the right results. It also offers word pronunciation in three different English accents – American, British, and Australian.
Dict Box comes with a pop-up window feature for quick lookup and translation. A “common words” list brings together all the words related to certain topics such as computers, buildings, weather, time, and more. There’s also a word reminder that reminds you of random words through push notifications. Dict Box supports camera translation as well.
WordWeb
It shows definitions and synonyms as well as similar and related words to your searches. You can even select regions to show synonyms, related words, and pronunciations particular to that region. WordWeb also offers several other basic features such as word correction, word suggestion, custom font size, and the ability to block offensive words. You can bookmark your searches for future reference.
Dictionary
This app covers all the basics and builds on those with additional features such as word of the day, the idiom of the day, article of the day, quote of the day, this day in history, today’s birthday, and more. There are many built-in games designed to improve your vocabulary as well as spelling.
These include a spelling game, antonym and synonym matching games, word creating games, and more. The app tracks your progress every day. This app also shows your horoscope and the weather.
Longman Dictionary
Other notable features of Longman Dictionary include word of the day, picture dictionary, topic-wise categorization of words, top spoken words, top written words, favorites, quizzes, and a guide on how to speak English fluently.
