# American Heritage Dict. — user reviews > 50 indexed App Store user reviews of American Heritage Dict. by MobiSystems, Inc., rated 4.40/5 from 1,084 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/american-heritage-dict/id1118316289/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/american-heritage-dict/id1118316289.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 796 · 4★ 127 · 3★ 44 · 2★ 32 · 1★ 86 ## What do users think of American Heritage Dict.? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 👍 Useful tool - 💡 Excellent content and definitions - 🚀 Convenient portable reference - 👍 Reliable and trustworthy dictionary **Cons** - 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions - 🐛 Buggy and unreliable app experience - 🔋 Dated and poor user interface - 🚫 Inability to restore previous purchases **Commonly reported bugs** - Blank screen issues after iOS updates - Favorites list not functioning properly - Inconsistent behavior when switching between dictionary and thesaurus **Most requested features** - Add sample sentences for definitions - Improve search and navigation experience - Introduce customization options like themes - Provide better syncing across devices ## Newest reviews (12 of 50) ### 4/5 — Great Content, Dated Interface *2022-04-22, version 10.0.10* The content is not the issue. The interface is extremely dated and could use some great quality of life and optimization improvements. ### 5/5 — Complete and great pronunciation *2022-02-25, version 10.0.10* I’ve long used this app from the early days when it was a huge standalone app with images and pronunciation built in (no need for Internet connectivity). After languishing for years it’s back to its former glory. A must-have app for those who make a living with the written and spoken word. ### 5/5 — Wonderful tool *2022-01-02, version 10.0.10* Even though there are 1000 options on the Internet, I love having this app and being able to do what I need without being connected. This dictionary is far better than the ones on the Internet, and I hope they keep it up. ### 5/5 — My favorite dictionary *2021-12-24, version 10.0.10* I bought my first copy of the American Heritage Dictionary over 30 years ago, and it has been my favorite dictionary ever since then. And that is just as true on the iPad app as it was of the print copy. ### 5/5 — American Heritage Dictionary *2021-12-12, version 10.0.10* Hands down the finest dictionary ever created in North America. The clear and exhaustive definitions, the useful etymologies, and the gold mine of the Indo-European roots, all these make the AHD a peerless tool. My only dislike? The color. The hectic orange sets everything on edge. ### 5/5 — Best dictionary *2021-11-15, version 10.0.10* American Heritage has been my go-to dictionary for decades. So happy to have it at my fingertips now. And, yes, the usage notes continue to be the best feature. ### 4/5 — I wish it would have some sample sentences. *2021-10-26, version 10.0.10* I purchased the app because I really love the paper dictionary. I have two copies. After I getting this app, l cannot believe this app has the same dictionary name. The audio is even worse. After using it couple of times, I purchased different app which cost much less, has more feature and audio is much better. ### 5/5 — Best Hard Cover Dictionary *2021-10-07, version 10.0.10* I researched dictionaries before I purchased the hard cover edition. I learned a lot about the differences. The American Heritage was clearly the best choice for me. I’ve only started using the app so can’t express an opinion yet. ### 5/5 — Definitely my go-to dictionary *2021-08-13, version 10.0.10* I have a PhD in English and this is my favorite, everyday dictionary. Two features really stand out: the Usage Notes and the etymologies. The Usage Notes give you authoritative advice on difficult points of grammar and usage from a diverse panel of experts. The etymologies are in a class by themselves. They trace words back to their Indo-European and Semitic roots. I have not seen anything like that in another dictionary. ### 5/5 — My Favorite Dictionary *2021-06-16, version 10.0.10* The American Heritage Dictionary on my iPhone is a required App. I have used The American Heritage for years and have come to rely and trust this well built reference. This is especially true when reading a book or an article that has a new word. Looking it up is easy, the definitions are clear and this improves my understanding. Thank you! ### 5/5 — My go-to dictionary *2021-05-18, version 10.0.10* So far, I have found every word I searched for, including the different meanings and uses in sentences, and I have looked up quite a few archaic or rarely used words. ### 5/5 — Peer reviewed language *2021-05-02, version 10.0.10* I love knowing the richness of words. This is the App for the best dictionary for us Americans. I bought the downloaded version so even in the middle of nowhere, I will still know how to pronounce transient and what to proto-Indoeiropean root is. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Won’t download on new device *2023-01-28, version 10.0.10* Purchased this dictionary years ago and have used it often. Went to download it on my new iPad Mini 6 from “Purchased” apps in store and all I get is a blank white page with Google ad at bottom. Have tried removing/redownloading/rebooting several times to no avail. Works fine on iPhone. Says it’s compatible with this iPad. Tried reporting problem to Apple - says I can’t report because I don’t own it. Why is it under “Purchased” and on my iPhone? Developer website/link useless and refers me to community answers - generic and unhelpful. No direct developer contact information. Can’t restore premium purchase as directed from a blank white page! ### 1/5 — it doesn't work more even though I paid for a long time ago *2022-12-07, version 10.0.10* I agree with at least one other reviewer that my experience indicates this app is a scam. I just uninstalled it and reinstalled it to see on iOS 16.1.1 and it doesn't work, either before or after the reinstall -- just a blank white screen with an ad at the bottom. I paid $20 for it a few years ago, and they have been hitting me up for more money all along. And now it doesn't work at all. Save your money. BTW, until it stopped working altogether, the thesaurus only had synonyms, no antonyms, which makes it not a thesaurus. and the dictionary definitions are present-day only; they completely ignore historic definitions, especially of terms that are now in popular use. ### 1/5 — American Heritage Dictionary *2022-06-26, version 10.0.10* Previous version much, much better. Sorry that it was abandoned for new versions of the operating system. Had to buy this version and loss the value and far better and more traditional interface of previous version. Lost all my saved vocabulary words. And have to put up with dumbed-down abridgement of printed version. ### 1/5 — Long time user, not happy *2021-06-05, version 10.0.10* I have purchased this app twice over the last 6 or 7 years. I first bought AHD5 because it was a fantastic dictionary. It was a proper, adult, full featured, but simply designed app. It didn’t try to compete with all of the social centric, sophomoric garbage out there. During the last big update (iOS 14.5) the app stopped working again . I gave it a week or two hopeful that an update would fix it… nada. So I contact the developer (Mobisystems- what happened to Enfour?!) They were of no help… so against my better judgment, I bought it a 3rd time!! To my horror, they redesigned the app. It’s awful- I want my money back!! ### 1/5 — Can’t use on both iPad and iPhone *2018-09-06, version 10.0.10* After buying this dictionary for my iPad I discovered I couldn’t also use it on my iPhone like I can with most all other apps that I’ve purchased. Apparently, I would have to repurchase it for my second device. I contacted customer service and received no reply. The only reason I bought it was because it was such a hassle to load the older version of the same dictionary onto my iPad when I was setting up my new device—that was a multi-email conversation with customer service that involved sending and resending of access codes. I ended up purchasing an Oxford dictionary for my iPhone and won’t do business in the future with the American Heritage dictionary. In addition, their customer service is handled out of Japan, so when they do answer an inquiry, it is delayed. ### 2/5 — Disappointing *2022-06-22, version 10.0.10* How can the language’s most respected and finest dictionary turn out such a humdrum app: the word of the day is often not even a word (TN is today’s) and often a proper noun (like Tennessee). The app is poorly designed and, for me, a mess. What a disappointment! Give me the printed American Heritage Dictionary any time: never a finer one dealing with the American language. ### 3/5 — Same word can not define itself the meaning and use of the word *2022-08-24, version 10.0.10* I expect excellence in a dictionary of this caliber no word can or ever should define itself. Every word does have a specific use and meaning if it lacks these elements but is in use tell us the who, what, where, when, why and how of that usage. Four years since the last update! Language is a live fire breathing Dragon evolving elements omnipresent! ### 3/5 — Decent but slow *2021-06-16, version 10.0.10* They’re so eager for a rating that they started interrupting my word searching to ask how I like the app from before I was even able to form an opinion about it. Frustratingly, it doesn’t announce when the word I want *isn’t* there. It just hangs empty, as if I need to type more letters. Definitions themselves seem fine. I want more in the way of etymology. ### 3/5 — It should be brown *2018-04-04, version 10.0.3* I’m ok with you all erasing all of my favorite words when updating, but could you at least make the color inside the app brown instead of blue? I mean, the physical books are brown and the app icon is brown. You’d think the company that paid you all to make this app for them would care about the color, too. You can change the theme color on the Oxford dictionary. Why can’t I change the theme color on this dictionary? They’re both made by the same outfit, right? ### 4/5 — Does not like iOS 16 *2023-02-13, version 10.0.10* I upgraded to iOS 16.3 from 15xx, and when the splash screen goes away all I get is a blank screen with an ad at the bottom. When it worked, it was my go-to dictionary. AHD has been my favorite for over 30 years. But for now, I’ve removed the app from my phone. I hope they make it work soon! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great tool *2023-02-09, version 10.0.10* I had bought the cd back in 1994 and now I downloaded this morning old version will not work with windows 10 ### 5/5 — Useful *2022-11-29, version 10.0.10* I like this dictionary because of ease of use and it pronounces words that are difficult unless you hear them. ### 5/5 — So far, so good *2022-11-02, version 10.0.10* I use a dictionary all the time, and have been looking for one that isn’t letting the masses of ignorant people rewrite the entire thing, like “literally” being defined as “figuratively”, its antonym, making the word pretty much useless. This one is excellent so far, and I recommend it. ### 5/5 — American Heritage Dictionary is Outstanding *2022-10-20, version 10.0.10* I used this dictionary for 30+ years on paper. The usage guide is helpful. The definitions tend to follow the helpful genus, differentia format. The phone app is convenient everywhere. Zip quickly to related words, derivations, root words that go back Indo-European and Semitic roots. The AHD is like having a history of ideas at your fingertips going back 3,000 plus years. How cool is that! ### 5/5 — Constant companion *2022-08-15, version 10.0.10* Having been an avid reader for all of my life, I’ve made it a habit to look up new words that I come across. Therefore, having this app is absolutely wonderful. I can easily look up a words definition on a device that’s always with me. ### 5/5 — American Heritage dictionary *2022-07-30, version 10.0.10* I know a lot of people have complained about this app but I have loved it for many many years I have the paper copy of the latest dictionary from American Heritage but I love this app in answers everything it shows everything I have never had a problem with it I’ve always been very happy with this app and I was going to update it I thought there was a newer one and they said I already did have it so that saved me extra money because they were honest they told me I already had it. And could have taken my money I am very happy with this dictionary I highly recommend it if you like a good dictionary that gives all the background and the pronunciations and where the word came from this is the dictionary for you ### 5/5 — Excellent product *2022-07-28, version 10.0.10* The American heritage dictionary is my favorite of all dictionaries. And there have been some rough patches trying to get this app launched in a way that was as complete as it’s in print large dictionary‘ and at a fair price. WellIt seems the free version is almost as good as the $20 one of the exception of ads. This app largely has everything I could want for the most part and it makes for a very very useful tool in my line of work as a teacher. I highly to recommend it. Great definitions, decently design and very dependable. ### 5/5 — The American Heritage Dictionary, Fifth edition *2022-07-17, version 10.0.10* This dictionary fits in perfectly while reading online, and discovering words spelled oddly, uncommon words that need definition, even slang that is a little older. Well done! Important ideas for consistently expressing myself and understanding the world. The vocabulary evolves along with each generation. ### 5/5 — App stinks, but dictionary is THE BEST! *2022-06-14, version 10.0.10* Anybody who appreciates the English language knows that AHED is the absolute best available, even compared to Oxford, but especially for American English! Alas, the app doesn’t live up to the same standards. It has always been buggy, incorporating annoying design “features”, and now suggests “words of the day” that don’t even exist in the dictionary. Today’s word is “orc“. I do wonder why orc is not included in the AHED, as we have been using this word regularly since playing Dungeons & Dragons in the 1970s, and/or reading Tolkien in the 1960s or, for those really old farts among us: Beowulf in the middle ages. It would be nice to know where the word actually came from; etymology is typically one of the great features of AHED! Anyway, it’s fantastic that we have a handy, portable, digital reference to the best dictionary ever written. enFour just needs to stop trying to be F***book-fancy, and stick to giving us a solid interface to the most magnificent reference tome on our shelves. Two stars for the app, five stars for the book. ### 5/5 — Better than the rest *2022-05-20, version 10.0.10* Much much better than any other dictionary app I have seen. Not sure why it’s not the most popular (as I write this, at least.) Check it out! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*