# NZSL Dictionary

> New Zealand Sign Language dictionary with offline diagrams and online videos. (iPhone/iPad app by David McKee.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nzsl-dictionary/id521076445 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [David McKee](https://appshunter.io/developer/1072460328)
- Category: Reference, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 51 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 136 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-05-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-07
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nzsl-dictionary/id521076445/reviews.md

## What is NZSL Dictionary?

New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary contains diagrams and videos for over 4,000 English words and phrases.

A "Word of the Day" feature introduces you to a new vocabulary word every day.

All the diagrams are built in to the application so they can be viewed offline. To view the videos, an active Internet connection is required.

## Key features

- Over 4,000 NZSL signs
- Diagrams and videos
- Offline diagram access
- Word of the Day feature
- Video playback requires internet

## Recent user reviews (10 of 51)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nzsl-dictionary/id521076445/reviews.md

### 5/5 — NZSL

*2024-04-13, version 2.8.0*

Hey this is a really cool app and has helped me learn sign language pretty fast and I am teaching my friends and family it’s a must do

### 4/5 — Love it

*2024-04-06, version 2.8.0*

As an avid NZSL learner, I’ve found this as a great way to build vocabulary. I would however like to see a “more information” button explaining the context of how a particular sign is used like the website, but other than that, this app is great.

### 2/5 — Missing Te Reo Māori

*2022-03-08, version 2.5.6*

I wish I reached for this app more often, but sadly I prefer the website. The app is not optimised for newer devices so it is a very clunky and unsightly experience. I also miss the Māori translations that the website provides (they do not appear for me as shown in the app preview photographs). The one good thing about this app is that the videos play automatically!

### 4/5 — Great app but needs newer iOS support

*2021-05-01, version 2.5.6*

Have been using this with our autistic primary school students as great support, but recently noticed the videos don’t seem to be supported using my iPhone 8 Plus device. Previously used iPhone 6 Plus fine but that only went up to iOS 12.
I myself am a very visual person and learned well from the videos to show the kids. Hope it’s able to be fixed. 🤗

### 3/5 — App

*2021-04-13, version 2.5.6*

The app is good but if you go to (nzsl dictionary) it will work faster and I like it more

### 4/5 — Needs to support newer devices,

*2020-09-06, version 2.5.6*

Just got this app, to start learning NZSL. But it isn’t formatted for newer iOS devices. But will still give it a go. And see what I can learn

### 3/5 — Good place to start

*2020-07-23, version 2.5.6*

Just downloaded, just wanting to start to learn. The videos don’t seem to be able to load though or take ages and I give up waiting. 
The graphics seem ok to understand so far

### 4/5 — Terrific app, needs some incremental improvement

*2020-05-08*

I'm loving this app, which I'm using to teach myself and my baby NZSL together. It's excellent and so helpful; I'm in it every day for help and support. 
The points annon01 makes in their review are excellent and I agree with them. 
Most of all what I need is a method of saving words - I'm focusing on a batch of words at any time, and it's bothersome to be looking them up and I tend to forget them until I need them. Having no way of saving my focus words is holding back my learning. It would be hugely helpful to have an editable list of saved words. 
Would be grateful for a larger screen size compatible with bigger iPhones like the iPhone X. Thank you

### 5/5 — Incredible

*2020-03-18, version 2.5.3*

Amazing app, maybe add a list of basics for people trying to learn sign but great app

### 4/5 — Great ap

*2019-12-21, version 2.5.3*

But I’d like to be able use videos without internet and string words for small sentence than just find a word,

## Frequently asked questions about NZSL Dictionary

### What is the NZSL Dictionary app?

The NZSL Dictionary app provides a comprehensive resource for New Zealand Sign Language. It features diagrams and videos for over 4,000 English words and phrases, helping users learn and understand NZSL.

### Can I use the NZSL Dictionary offline?

Yes, all the diagrams within the application are built-in and can be viewed offline. However, to watch the videos demonstrating the signs, an active internet connection is required.

### How does the "Word of the Day" feature work?

The "Word of the Day" feature is designed to help you expand your NZSL vocabulary. Each day, the app introduces you to a new sign and its corresponding word or phrase, making learning a consistent habit.

### Is this app free to use?

Based on the provided information, the NZSL Dictionary app is available for free. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a completely free user experience.

### Who is the target audience for this app?

This app is intended for anyone interested in learning or using New Zealand Sign Language. This includes Deaf individuals, sign language interpreters, students, and anyone who wants to communicate with the Deaf community in New Zealand.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.8.0 — 2023-05-26

We've switched how we lay out some views so that the app should work better in landscape mode, and for iPad users

### 2.7.0 — 2023-03-01

To make it easier to see the sign video, we've hidden the video controls, and added the ability to slow down the video by tapping on the video while it is playing.

### 2.6.1 — 2023-02-21

We've updated the dictionary data to version 2023-02-01. This is our first release sourcing data from Signbank, our new editorial tool.

### 2.5.7 — 2022-05-20

This app has been updated to be compatible with iOS 12. We have more features on the way to support larger text sizes and dark mode! This release includes version 2022-01-23 of the dictionary data.

### 2.5.6 — 2020-07-23

We're really sorry if you experienced problems watching videos recently - this was due to videos being moved to a new provider recently and the new video location not being updated in the sign database packaged with the application. we're updating our processes and documentation to avoid something like this happening again in the future.

We have also updated our app to be compatible with iOS 13. You may notice a few changes to the look and feel of the application.

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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 2026-08-07.*
