# Merriam-Webster Dictionary

> Comprehensive English dictionary with thesaurus, offline access, and vocabulary tools. (iPhone/iPad app by Merriam-Webster, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merriam-webster-dictionary/id399452287 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Merriam-Webster, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/399452290)
- Category: Reference, Books
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 323,824 App Store ratings · 1,300 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 216 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-12-14
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merriam-webster-dictionary/id399452287/reviews.md

## What is Merriam?

Get America's most useful and respected dictionary, optimized for your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Continuously updated with the newest words and meanings, this is the premier iOS app for English language reference, education, and vocabulary building. 

Key Features:

* Offline access: Complete access to definitions and synonyms whether or not you're connected
* Voice Search: look up a word without having to spell it
* Word of the Day: learn a new word every day
* Word Games: fun, fast quizzes to test your vocabulary
* Favorite Words and Search History: keep track of the words that are most important to you
* Favorite Word Syncing Through iCloud: share your favorites between devices and on the Web
* In-app purchase: an ad-free experience + access to Kids, Medical, and Legal dictionaries 
* For Tablets: browse the entire dictionary with a scrolling index
* Apple Watch Extension: see the Word of the Day and find watch-sized definitions with voice search

Expert Word Guidance:
	
* Integrated Thesaurus: more than 200,000 word choices with examples of their use
* Example Sentences: understand how a word is used in context
* Audio Pronunciations: voiced by real English speakers, not text-to-speech robots


Terms of Use: https://www.merriam-webster.com/terms-of-use

## Key features

- Offline dictionary access
- Voice search for words
- Daily Word of the Day
- Vocabulary word games
- Integrated thesaurus
- Audio pronunciations

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | per year |
| All References + Remove Ads | $5.99 | per year |
| Premium Annual | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium Monthly | $1.79 | per month |


## Chart rankings

- #28 in Top Free · Reference (US App Store)
- #77 in Top Grossing · Reference (US App Store)

## What do users think of Merriam?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Comprehensive definitions
- 👍 Helpful thesaurus
- 🚀 Offline access
- 👍 Word of the day feature
- 👍 Fun word games

**Cons**

- 🐛 Ads can be intrusive
- 🐛 Difficulty closing ads
- 🐛 Repetitive game questions
- 🐛 Missing words in dictionary
- 🐛 Unreasonable level progression in games

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when searching for certain words
- Widget does not update daily word
- Scribble feature is buggy
- Inconsistent ad behavior

**Most requested features**

- Add spelling correction suggestions
- Improve word game timer and scoring
- Expand etymology information
- Add more languages beyond English
- Improve widget functionality

## Recent user reviews (10 of 1,300)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merriam-webster-dictionary/id399452287/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Better than most free apps

*2026-08-25, version 5.9.5*

Very few ads. Functions as it should. Is very useful and helpful. Has a word of the day widget. Very good basic dictionary app. I was tired of downloading "word of the day apps" that were less word of the day and more lesson based, daily challenge game apps which forced you to pay for them just to get any actual use out of them, and they weren't even what they advertised to be. I love this app so far. Keep being awesome!

### 5/5 — Fun & educational games

*2026-08-25, version 5.9.5*

Always amazing easy to understand definitions of words yet they are so precise and accurate.

### 4/5 — Great dictionary; terrible ads

*2026-08-25, version 5.9.5*

I love this app and use it throughout my week. Merriam-Webster is the standard and I grew up in a household where mouths would clamp shut and fingers would point to a dictionary when I asked anyone how a word was spelled. 

But these ads are TOO MUCH. They are egregious and account for the lost star.

### 2/5 — How do I make the book stop flying?

*2026-08-24, version 5.9.5*

I dont know man but it flys

### 5/5 — Exceptional

*2026-08-23, version 5.9.5*

The Merriam Webster Dictionary has come in handy more than once! The definitions are clearly explained and make perfect sense. I especially enjoy having the thesaurus because it comes in handy during various writing assignments, they have soooo many word varieties! Love this, give it a try!!!

### 4/5 — Nice dictionary

*2026-08-23, version 5.9.5*

It has games and it’s nice

### 5/5 — One word

*2026-08-22, version 5.9.5*

Inquisitive.

### 5/5 — Pulls

*2026-08-21, version 5.9.5*

Wwwwww in the chatttt

### 5/5 — Very user friendly

*2026-08-21, version 5.9.5*

I’m constantly looking up words, and this dictionary is very user. I love it.

### 3/5 — Upgrade

*2026-08-21, version 5.9.5*

It’s hilarious to think they want to charge you for a dictionary when the Google app exists. Free version is acceptable but popups are annoying. I also have a dozen physical dictionaries with zero popups.

## Frequently asked questions about Merriam

### What does the Merriam-Webster Dictionary app do?

This app provides access to America's most respected dictionary, continuously updated with new words and meanings. It's designed for English language reference, education, and vocabulary building, offering features like offline access, voice search, and a thesaurus.

### What are the key features of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary app?

Key features include offline access to definitions and synonyms, voice search, a daily 'Word of the Day,' word games for vocabulary testing, favorite word tracking, and an integrated thesaurus with over 200,000 word choices. It also offers audio pronunciations by real English speakers.

### Is the Merriam-Webster Dictionary app free to use?

The app is free to download and use with ads. An in-app purchase is available to remove ads and gain access to specialized dictionaries such as Kids, Medical, and Legal dictionaries.

### What devices is the Merriam-Webster Dictionary app compatible with?

The app is optimized for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. It also offers a scrolling index for tablets and an Apple Watch extension for quick access to the 'Word of the Day' and definitions.

### How can this app help with learning English?

The app aids English learning through its comprehensive dictionary, thesaurus, example sentences showing word usage in context, audio pronunciations, and daily vocabulary challenges. The 'Word of the Day' feature and word games are specifically designed for vocabulary enhancement.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.9.5 — 2026-07-27

Bug fixes.

### 5.9.4 — 2026-06-08

Fixes crash for iOS 16 users

### 5.9.3 — 2026-05-29

Bug fixes.

### 5.9.2 — 2026-05-13

A dictionary update with new words, and newly revised definitions.
Bug fixes.

### 5.9.1 — 2026-04-08

A dictionary update with new words, and newly revised definitions.
Bug fixes.

## Apps similar to Merriam

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Dictionary.com: English Words](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dictionarycom-english-words/id308750436) | 4.8 (327,803) | Free | Reference |
| [Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oxford-dictionary-and-thesaurus/id978674211) | 4.6 (28,630) | Free | Reference |
| [Dictionary.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dictionary/id379450383) | 4.8 (14,555) | Free | Reference |
| [English Dictionary *](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/english-dictionary/id6446940721) | 4.6 (1,153) | Free | Reference |
| [Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dictionary-and-thesaurus-pro/id492085918) | 4.9 (2,560) | $9.99 | Reference |
| [Terminology](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/terminology/id687798859) | 4.7 (1,080) | Free | Reference |

## More apps by Merriam-Webster, Inc.

- [Merriam-Webster Dictionary+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merriam-webster-dictionary-plus/id478126577)
- [RhymeZone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhymezone/id493493802)
- [Learner's Dictionary - English](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learners-dictionary-english/id522468643)
- [Learner's Dictionary - English HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learners-dictionary-english-hd/id522474516)
- [SCRABBLE Dictionary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrabble-dictionary/id542466961)

All apps by Merriam-Webster, Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/399452290

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*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 2026-08-28.*