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Best Online Etymology Apps

177+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.0 avg rating
12 free apps
Updated June 2026

Whether you're new to online etymology or looking for an upgrade, our curated collection of 177+ iOS apps has something for everyone. Each app is reviewed and rated by real users, helping you make an informed decision.

Compare top Online Etymology Apps (June 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Etymonline English DictionaryEtymonline English DictionaryFree4.9β˜… (11K)YesYesJul 2026
2Merriam-Webster DictionaryMerriam-Webster DictionaryFree4.8β˜… (320K)YesYesJul 2026
3EtymologyExplorerEtymologyExplorerFree4.8β˜… (1.3K)YesYesJul 2026
4Dictionary.Dictionary.Free4.8β˜… (14K)YesYesJul 2026
5WordWeb DictionaryWordWeb DictionaryFree4.6β˜… (267)NoNoJul 2026
6FreeSaurus - The Free Thesaurus!FreeSaurus - The Free Thesaurus!Free3.4β˜… (120)NoNoJul 2026
7Etymology DictionaryEtymology Dictionary$14.99β€”NoNoMay 2026
8What does MY NAME MEAN?What does MY NAME MEAN?Free2.3β˜… (120)NoNoJul 2026

Top Picks for Online Etymology

Etymonline English Dictionary#1

Etymonline English Dictionary by ε΄‡δΌŸ 柳

Dictionary to Build Vocabulary
Editor's Choice
πŸ“š Education
4.9😊(11K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Etymonline English Dictionary screenshot 1
Etymonline English Dictionary screenshot 2
Etymonline English Dictionary screenshot 3
Etymonline English Dictionary screenshot 4
Etymonline English Dictionary screenshot 5
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

  • πŸš€ Excellent app
  • πŸ‘ Comprehensive and well-researched
  • πŸ‘ Useful for understanding word origins
  • πŸ‘ Informative and insightful

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› App version has incomplete entries
  • πŸ”’ Privacy concerns with data collection
  • πŸ’° Subscription fees too high
Merriam-Webster Dictionary#2

Merriam-Webster Dictionary by Merriam-Webster, Inc.

Strong Contender
πŸ” Reference
4.8😊(320K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#36in Reference
Merriam-Webster Dictionary screenshot 1
Merriam-Webster Dictionary screenshot 2
Merriam-Webster Dictionary screenshot 3
Merriam-Webster Dictionary screenshot 4

Access America's most respected dictionary, updated with new words and meanings. This app offers offline access, voice search, daily vocabulary challenges, and a thesaurus. It's designed for English language reference, education, and vocabulary enhancement.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Easy to use
  • πŸ‘ Comprehensive definitions
  • πŸ‘ Helpful thesaurus
  • πŸš€ Offline access

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Ads can be intrusive
  • πŸ› Difficulty closing ads
  • πŸ› Repetitive game questions
EtymologyExplorer#3

EtymologyExplorer by Might Could Studios LLC

Explore words and their roots!
Worth Considering
πŸ“š Education
4.8😊(1.3K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
EtymologyExplorer screenshot 1
EtymologyExplorer screenshot 2
EtymologyExplorer screenshot 3
EtymologyExplorer screenshot 4

Discover the fascinating origins and connections of words. This app provides visual maps of word roots, detailed etymologies, definitions, and audio pronunciations. Explore how seemingly unrelated words can share common ancestry.

What We Love

  • πŸš€ Intuitive and user-friendly
  • πŸ” Comprehensive and detailed etymology information
  • 🌟 Visually appealing and well-designed
  • πŸ“š Helpful for language learning and vocabulary building

Room to Improve

  • πŸ› Occasional bugs and crashes
  • πŸ” Limited database of words
  • πŸ’° Subscription model may be costly for some users

More Online Etymology apps to explore

4
Dictionary.
Dictionary.
Dictionary.
by TheFreeDictionary.com
Free

Access a comprehensive dictionary, thesaurus, and translation tool with millions of definitions and synonyms. Explore specialty dictionaries, learn new words daily, and play word games. This app offers offline access and integrates seamlessly with other applications.

Offline dictionary and thesaurusMillions of definitions and synonymsWord of the Day and Idiom of the Day
πŸ” Reference
(14K)
free with in-app purchases
5
WordWeb Dictionary
WordWeb Dictionary
WordWeb Dictionary
Offline ad-free dictionary
Free

This app provides a comprehensive offline English dictionary and thesaurus with fast searching, spelling suggestions, definitions, and usage examples. It offers extensive word data and advanced search filters without requiring an internet connection.

Offline dictionary and thesaurusFast searchingSpelling suggestions
πŸ” Reference
(267)
free
6
FreeSaurus - The Free Thesaurus!
FreeSaurus - The Free Thesaurus!
FreeSaurus - The Free Thesaurus!
by Weeswares Pte Ltd
Free

This is a straightforward thesaurus app that provides synonyms and antonyms for words. It focuses on simplicity and ease of use, offering related words alongside definitions. An internet connection is required for it to function.

Synonyms and antonymsRelated wordsSimple interface
πŸ” Reference
(120)
free
7
Etymology Dictionary
Etymology Dictionary
Etymology Dictionary
The way how a word comes
$14.99
πŸ“š Education
(0)
8
What does MY NAME MEAN?
What does MY NAME MEAN?
What does MY NAME MEAN?
by Indigo Penguin Limited
Free

Discover the meaning and origin of over 1000 names. Users can also suggest names to be added to the growing database.

Name meaning lookupName origin information1000+ names listed
🎬 Entertainment
(120)
free
9
Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro
Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro
Dictionary and Thesaurus Pro
by TheFreeDictionary.com
$9.99

Access a comprehensive offline dictionary and thesaurus with extensive content in multiple languages. Explore definitions, synonyms, and specialized dictionaries for various fields. Enjoy an ad-free experience with features like word games and instant lookups.

Ad-free experienceOffline English dictionary and thesaurusOffline dictionaries in 13 languages
πŸ” Reference
(2.5K)
paid
10
German Etymology Dictionary
German Etymology Dictionary
German Etymology Dictionary
etymological dictionary
$2.99

Explore the origins and meanings of over 40,000 German words. This comprehensive dictionary offers detailed etymology, pronunciation, and cross-references, making it an invaluable tool for English speakers learning German. Create custom word lists and discover prefixes and suffixes.

Detailed etymology and originPronunciation guideCross-referenced entries
πŸ” Reference
(3)
paid
11
Greek etymology and origins
Greek etymology and origins
Greek etymology and origins
etymological dictionary
$1.99

Explore the origins and meanings of Greek words with a comprehensive etymological dictionary. Features detailed etymology, pronunciation, and cross-references for English speakers, teachers, and students. Includes prefixes, suffixes, and daily featured entries.

Detailed etymology and meaningPronunciation guideCross-referenced entries
πŸ” Reference
(2)
paid
12
Kurdish Dictionary - Dict Box
Kurdish Dictionary - Dict Box
Kurdish Dictionary - Dict Box
English Kurdish Translation
Free

This app serves as a comprehensive English to Kurdish and Kurdish to English dictionary and translator. It offers offline functionality, pronunciation, definitions, and the ability to translate words directly within other applications. Users can also find related words, phrases, and even use image search for a richer learning experience.

Offline translation and pronunciationExtensive word and expression databaseIn-app word translation
πŸ” Reference
(14K)
free with in-app purchases
13
English etymology and origins
English etymology and origins
English etymology and origins
Learn with AI Assistant
$3.99

Explore the origins and meanings of over 65,600 English words, including slang and loanwords. This comprehensive dictionary offers detailed etymology, pronunciation, synonyms, and an AI assistant for deeper understanding. Organized by 42 topics, it's a valuable resource for language enthusiasts and experts.

Over 65,600 etymological entriesDetailed origin and meaningPronunciation guides
πŸ” Reference
(2)
paid
14
Advanced Dictionary&Thesaurus
Advanced Dictionary&Thesaurus
Advanced Dictionary&Thesaurus
English dictionary with Audio
Free

This comprehensive English dictionary and thesaurus offers precise definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and related words. It features intelligent search tools, offline audio, and customizable themes to enhance your language learning experience.

140,000+ definitionsSynonyms, antonyms, and related wordsOffline audio pronunciation
πŸ” Reference
(4.3K)
free with in-app purchases
15
Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus
Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus
Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus
Etymology & Offline Vocabulary
Free

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.

15 Oxford DictionariesThesaurus integrationAudio pronunciations
πŸ” Reference
(28K)
free with in-app purchases
16
Dictionary Linguee
Dictionary Linguee
Dictionary Linguee
German, French, Spanish, more
Free

Access reliable translations for multiple languages, including French, Spanish, and German, with this comprehensive dictionary app. It offers fast, offline access to a vast database compiled by lexicographers and includes example sentences and audio pronunciations.

Translations in French, Spanish, German, and moreCompiled by over 400 lexicographersFast translations with quick search
πŸ” Reference
(11K)
free
17
Word of the Day・Vocabulary
Word of the Day・Vocabulary
Word of the Day・Vocabulary
Vocab Builder & Word Games
Free

Enhance your vocabulary with daily words, engaging games, and personalized quizzes. This app offers expert-curated content and interactive challenges to make learning stick and improve your communication skills.

Daily word insights with definitions and examplesVocabulary assessment and personalized learning plansWord games like Hangman and Gaps
πŸ“š Education
(38K)
free with in-app purchases
18
Greek Etymology Dictionary
Greek Etymology Dictionary
Greek Etymology Dictionary
by Trang Hoai
$1.99

Explore the origins of Ancient Greek words with this comprehensive dictionary. It covers 2000 years of linguistic history, offering detailed etymologies, variants, and first attestation dates for over 7500 entries. Enhance your understanding of the Greek language and its vocabulary.

2000 years of Ancient Greek history7500+ revised etymologiesFirst attestation dates
πŸ” Reference
(1)
paid
19
Old English Etymology
Old English Etymology
Old English Etymology
the origin of Old English
$2.99

Explore the origins of Old English words, names, prefixes, and suffixes with this comprehensive etymological dictionary. It offers detailed information on meaning, pronunciation, and derivations, categorized for easy navigation.

Extensive etymological dictionaryOver 5699 entriesDetailed entry information
πŸ” Reference
(2)
paid
20
Gaelic etymology dictionary
Gaelic etymology dictionary
Gaelic etymology dictionary
the origins of Gaelic words
$0.99

Explore the origins of Gaelic words with this comprehensive etymological dictionary. It offers offline access, custom lists, and learning tools for students and linguists seeking in-depth language knowledge.

Offline dictionary accessCustom word listsBookmark favorite words
πŸ” Reference
(0)
paid

FAQ about Online Etymology

What are the best online etymology apps for iPhone?
Etymonline English Dictionary tops our online etymology apps ranking as of June 2026, with a 4.9-star average from 11K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes β€” 12 of the top online etymology apps we rank are free to download, including Etymonline English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
Etymonline English Dictionary shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of June 2026.
We track 177+ online etymology apps on the iOS App Store as of June 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.