Dictionary.com vs Word Hippo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dictionary.com
Access over 2 million trusted definitions and synonyms for English words. Enhance your vocabulary with daily new words, example sentences, and audio pronunciations. This app provides grammar tips and editorial content to deepen your understanding of the English language.
- 2 million+ definitions and synonyms
- Word of the Day
- Example sentences
- Audio pronunciations
- Grammar tips
- Search history
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Download the #1 free dictionary app! With more than 2 million trusted definitions and synonyms, this English dictionary and thesaurus app for iPhone is optimized for your mobile device. Improve your English vocabulary, whether you're just starting your learning journey or you're already a word wizard. Install the app for access to definitions and synonyms whenever and wherever you need them — no bulky books necessary. Flip to dark mode to give your eyes a break, or stick to the traditional set-up. In addition to the trusted reference content from Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com, this education app includes: Word of the Day ► Learn a new word each day and expand your vocabulary. Example Sentences ► Browse real-world example sentences to see how words are used. Idioms ► Explore how words can gain new meanings. Rhymes ► Finish every verse. Audio Pronunciations ► Never mispronounce another word. Grammar ► Get grammar tips, word usage, and more to improve your writing. Editorial Articles ► Explore editorial content for features on words, the origins of the English language, and the nuances that make English so complicated and unique. Search History ► Customize your recently searched word list, and never forget the newest words you’ve learned. Dictionary Shuffle ► Think you know ALL the definitions? Prove it with Dictionary Shuffle, which chooses a word at random and brings you to the definition. A-Z Dictionary ► What’s more exciting than ... wait for it … browsing the Dictionary?! We’ve now made it even easier, with the A–Z Dictionary.
Word Hippo
This app offers a comprehensive suite of word tools, including an advanced thesaurus for synonyms and antonyms, example sentences, rhyming words, and word type identification. It also features word finders for games, definitions, and translations into numerous languages.
- Advanced thesaurus with synonyms and antonyms
- Example sentences for word usage
- Rhyming word finder
- Word type identification (adjective, noun, verb, adverb)
- Word finders for games (Scrabble, Words with Friends)
- Word definitions
- Multilingual translations
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Find similar and opposite words with our advanced thesaurus, along with a range of other word tools: sentences, rhymes, related word types, matching words, definitions, and translations. ADVANCED THESAURUS Our thesaurus has a comprehensive range of synonyms and antonyms under an extensive range of contexts that may be used for a given word or phrase. EXAMPLE SENTENCES Determine how to best use a given word in sentences and phrases with a list of examples. RHYMING WORDS Boost your lyrical creativity with our expansive list of rhyming words. WORD TYPES Find the derivative/related adjective, noun, verb or adverb for a given word, including a list of other similar words to use. MATCHING WORDS We have advanced word finders for: • General word search and unscrambling • Words with friends • Scrabble • Crossword and Codewords Perform a simple search, or use our advanced filters to drill down to the word that you’re looking for. WORD DEFINITIONS A dictionary is available for you to determine the exact definition of a word. TRANSLATIONS Translate to, or from, English in up to 100 different languages. APP FEATURES • Intuitive and native interface. • Slide Over and Split View multitasking on iPad. • Swipe back/forth through search history. • Dark/night mode (for iOS version 13 and above). • A single in-app purchase removes ads and allows your favorite words to be saved and annotated. • Easily list and browse through your search history.
Screenshots
Verdict
Dictionary.com and Word Hippo both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 92% of Word Hippo's written reviews are positive against 26% of Dictionary.com's. Word Hippo also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Dictionary.com's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (328K vs 14K). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Word Hippo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Dictionary.com asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Dictionary.com against 4.9 for Word Hippo. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dictionary.com has 328K ratings behind it against 14K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 26% of Dictionary.com's written reviews are positive against 92% of Word Hippo's.
Dictionary.com ships an update every 3 weeks, Word Hippo every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.
| Parameter | Dictionary.com | Word Hippo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (328K ratings) | 4.9 (14K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.6% of reviews | 91.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 328K — better | 14K |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #159 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Curiosity Media | KAT IP PTY LTD |
Customer experience
Dictionary.com
Word Hippo
User reviews
Dictionary.com
From 328K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Robust dictionary and thesaurus
- 🤓 Helpful resources like blogs and articles
- 💡 Useful word games and puzzles
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 🤩 Great for expanding vocabulary
Room to improve
- 🐛 Inconsistent search results and missing definitions
- 💸 Aggressive ads even after paid upgrades
- 🤯 Frequent crashes and performance issues
- 🤔 Confusing layout changes and UI issues
- 🤷♀️ Paid features not always working as expected
Word Hippo
From 14K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Multi-functional app with thesaurus, dictionary, and more
- 🚀 Comprehensive and extensive word lists
- 📚 Helpful for writing, vocabulary building, and creative expression
- 💰 Affordable premium upgrade with no ongoing subscription
- 🧠 Aids in learning and expanding language skills
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional app freezes or crashes
- 🔍 Inconvenient to re-enter search term when switching between features
- 🔍 Lack of offline functionality
- 💰 Premium upgrade not synced across devices
Bugs and requests
Dictionary.com
Reported bugs
5 issues- Notifications not working as expected
- Inconsistent behavior when tapping on words
- Offline dictionary not downloading properly
- Frequent crashes and freezes on various devices
- Paid features not unlocking or resetting unexpectedly
Requested features
5 requests- Dedicated section to display all forms of a word
- Ability to create and manage custom word lists
- Improved offline mode with more functionality
- Better integration with other productivity apps
- More language support beyond just English
Word Hippo
Reported bugs
2 issues- Cursor placement issues when re-entering search term
- Inconsistent performance on some devices
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to save/favorite words and phrases
- Offline mode or downloadable word databases
- Syllable counter or rhyming tool
- Seamless switching between dictionary, thesaurus, and other features
In-app purchases
Dictionary.com
No in-app purchases
Word Hippo
- Unlock all Features$2.99
Questions
Is Dictionary.com free?
Is Word Hippo free?
Which has better reviews, Dictionary.com or Word Hippo?
Do Dictionary.com or Word Hippo have ads?
Which is updated more often, Dictionary.com or Word Hippo?
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