Dictionary.com vs WordBook (Universal)
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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.
WordBook (Universal)
This comprehensive English dictionary and thesaurus offers extensive definitions, word origins, and pronunciation guides. It includes a built-in spell checker, bookmarking, and advanced search capabilities for word puzzles.
- Professionally recorded pronunciations
- Word origin information (Etymologies)
- Built-in spell checker
- Bookmark and note management
- Advanced word search and puzzle solver
- 150,000+ entries with 220,000+ definitions
- Words of the Day
Read full descriptionHide full description
FEATURES that make WordBook stand out from other dictionary apps: - Professionally recorded pronunciation for every single entry - Word origin information (Etymologies) - Built-in spell checker with pop-up spelling suggestions - User's bookmark and note management - Unmatched sounds-like and wild card search and a powerful word puzzle solver ==================================== WordBook is a comprehensive, quick and intuitive dictionary and thesaurus of the English language. It's a great combination of comprehensive contents and fast intuitive interface. FEATURES: * 150,000 entries with more than 220,000 definitions, 70,000 usage samples * 23,000 root word origins (etymologies) * 120,000 pronunciation guides in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and other notations * Spoken pronunciations (for all entries) * Built-in thesaurus and word links connecting words semantically * Unmatched index, wildcard, anagram search capabilities * Bookmark (with user's notes) and history management * Words of the Day: you get to learn new words daily, shake the device for new random words * Browser-like definition content navigation, ability to tap on any word in the content to look up its definition * Extending up to 5 web dictionaries to supplement built-in contents * High resolution graphics for Retina display REVIEWS: * "Mobile dictionary and thesaurus at my fingertips. Lightning fast. The random words of the day are a terrific bonus" - Dane Cook, The Daily * “the best in the [inexpensive dictionary] category... This wealth of information is indispensable to the student, and even fun to use” - Jeff Phillips, Macworld * “One of 15 Best Apps for English Majors” - April Lentini, CollegeTimes.us * “None measure up to WordBook” Score: 10/10 - Michael Alexander, AppCraver.com * “WordBook leads the parade of free and low-cost dictionary options” - Ben Boychuk, MacWorld.com * “WordBook dictionary - the standard for reference apps” Rating: 5/5 - Steven Yaccino, appolicious.com NOTES: - WordBook does not required an internet connection except to view web dictionaries or to play online pronunciation voices. - WordBook includes entries of both American/British spellings. Definitions are written in American English.
Screenshots
Verdict
Dictionary.com and WordBook (Universal) both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 88% of WordBook (Universal)'s written reviews are positive against 26% of Dictionary.com's. WordBook (Universal) also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). Dictionary.com's advantage is price (Free vs $2.99) and ratings volume (328K vs 275). On rating and device support 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
Dictionary.com is free to download; WordBook (Universal) costs $2.99 up front. Dictionary.com sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. WordBook (Universal) asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Dictionary.com against 4.7 for WordBook (Universal). That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dictionary.com has 328K ratings behind it against 275, 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 88% of WordBook (Universal)'s.
Dictionary.com ships an update every 3 weeks, WordBook (Universal) every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dictionary.com | WordBook (Universal) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (328K ratings) — better | 4.7 (275 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 25.7% of reviews | 87.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 328K — better | 275 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #141 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 7.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Curiosity Media | TranCreative Software |
Customer experience
Dictionary.com
WordBook (Universal)
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
WordBook (Universal)
From 275 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Comprehensive dictionary with detailed definitions
- 🚀 Fast and efficient lookup
- 💡 Helpful thesaurus and word origin features
- 👍 Customizable web links for additional reference
- 👍 Useful for crosswords and puzzles
Room to improve
- 🐛 Some words missing or inaccurate definitions
- 🔇 Pronunciation issues or missing audio
- 🚫 Lack of updates and new features
- 🚫 Limited vocabulary compared to other dictionaries
- 🚫 Censored words and features
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
WordBook (Universal)
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes and freezes, especially on newer devices
- Compatibility issues with recent iOS versions
- Anagram solver not working as expected
Requested features
5 requests- Dark mode option
- More comprehensive vocabulary
- Improved pronunciation and audio support
- Regular updates and new features
- Better optimization for iPad and split-screen use
In-app purchases
Dictionary.com
- Rhyming Dictionary$1.99
- Grammar & Tips$1.99
- Idioms & Phrases$1.99
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Example Sentences$2.99
- Science Dictionary$2.99
- Encyclopedia$2.99
- Offline Dictionary$2.99
- Remove Ads$2.99
- Power Pack$5.99
WordBook (Universal)
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Dictionary.com free?
Is WordBook (Universal) free?
Which has better reviews, Dictionary.com or WordBook (Universal)?
Do Dictionary.com or WordBook (Universal) have ads?
Which is updated more often, Dictionary.com or WordBook (Universal)?
Other comparisons















