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Best Etymological Dictionary Apps

236+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.4 avg rating
9 free apps
Updated September 2026

Out of 236+ etymological dictionary apps on iOS, 9 are free and the rest sit in the paid tier. This page sorts them so you can compare both sides before you commit.

Compare top Etymological Dictionary Apps (September 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Etymonline English DictionaryEtymonline English DictionaryFree4.9★ (12K)YesYesSep 2026
2Oxford Dictionary & ThesaurusOxford Dictionary & ThesaurusFree4.6★ (29K)NoYesSep 2026
3Dictionary.com: English WordsDictionary.com: English WordsFree4.8★ (328K)YesNoSep 2026
4Etymology Dictionary OfflineEtymology Dictionary OfflineFree3.7★ (21)NoNoMay 2026
5Advanced English Dictionary.Advanced English Dictionary.$2.994.7★ (241)NoNoAug 2026
6Dutch etymology dictionaryDutch etymology dictionary$1.99—NoNoAug 2026
7Merriam-Webster DictionaryMerriam-Webster DictionaryFree4.8★ (324K)YesYesSep 2026
8German Etymology DictionaryGerman Etymology Dictionary$2.995.0★ (4)NoNoAug 2026

Top Picks for Etymological Dictionary

Etymonline English Dictionary#1

Etymonline English Dictionary by 崇伟 柳

Dictionary to Build Vocabulary
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.9😊(12K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Etymonline English Dictionary screenshot 1
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Etymonline English Dictionary screenshot 6

Explore the origins and history of English words with this comprehensive dictionary app. It offers instant search, related word suggestions, and an offline mode for premium users. Enhance your vocabulary and understanding of word roots.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Excellent app
  • 👍 Comprehensive and well-researched
  • 👍 Useful for understanding word origins
  • 👍 Informative and insightful
  • 👍 Straightforward and easy to use
  • 👍 Helpful for language learners
  • 👍 Authoritative and reliable
  • 👍 Indispensable resource

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 App version has incomplete entries
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection
  • 💰 Subscription fees too high
Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus#2

Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus by MobiSystems, Inc.

Etymology & Offline Vocabulary
Strong Contender
🔍 Reference
4.6😐(29K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#80in Reference
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Access a vast collection of dictionaries and thesauruses with definitions, pronunciations, and etymology. Features include offline access, advanced search options, and personalized word lists. Ideal for students, professionals, and word enthusiasts.

What We Love

  • 👍 Reliable and simple to use
  • 👍 Comprehensive and best for all English, especially rare and aged language
  • 👍 Very useful for learning new words
  • 👍 Excellent reference app
  • 👍 Helps with homework or even if you forgot how to spell write or don't know the meaning of a word
  • 👍 Excellent dictionary that has everything you'll ever need
  • 👍 Offline access is very helpful
  • 👍 Detailed definitions including word origins

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Glitchy, way too many ads
  • 🔒 Annoying popup ads makes it unusable
  • 🔒 Ads stuck in, despite payment
  • 🐛 Never connect the server
  • 🐛 Stopped working
  • 🔒 Annoying popup ads
  • 🐛 Definitions disappear before reading is complete
  • 🔒 Intrusive and persistent ads even in paid version
  • 🔒 Subscription pricing is too high
Dictionary.com: English Words#3

Dictionary.com: English Words by Curiosity Media

Dictionary, Thesaurus, Vocab
Worth Considering
🔍 Reference
4.8😐(328K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Dictionary.com: English Words screenshot 1
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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.

What 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

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FAQ about Etymological Dictionary

What are the best etymological dictionary apps for iPhone?
Etymonline English Dictionary tops our etymological dictionary apps ranking as of September 2026, with a 4.9-star average from 12K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 9 of the top etymological dictionary apps we rank are free to download, including Etymonline English Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus.
Etymonline English Dictionary shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of September 2026.
We track 236+ etymological dictionary apps on the iOS App Store as of September 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This app provides access to the complete Online Etymology Dictionary, allowing users to explore the origins and history of English words. It helps users understand word roots and improve their vocabulary through features like related word suggestions and instant search.
Key features include instantaneous search with spelling suggestions, the ability to find related words that share the same origin or root, and a universal app design for iPhones and iPads. Premium users also gain access to an offline dictionary and an ad-free experience.