by Jeanesse Whyte

Created on: November 02, 2008

Several years ago, we spent so much of our time looking for the meaning of words, using the traditional printed dictionaries. Now using internet you can save a lot of time looking for definitions of words with online dictionaries. We can find immediately definitions, translations of words and some paragraphs. You can do all these things for free using free online language dictionaries.

What is Free Online Language Dictionary?

Free online language dictionary, here is a database that listed words of the specific language with definitions, etymologies, pronunciation and other information. It is available over internet. You can access using a computer connected to the internet at no cost. It is not necessary to download any software to use it.

Advantages of Using Free Online Language Dictionaries

Using online dictionary has its advantages respect to traditional printed dictionary:

* We can find definitions faster using online dictionary than using traditional dictionary.

* You can look the meaning of the word immediately

* It does not use hard disk space of your computer

* You can hear word pronunciations, characteristic that is very important for people that are learning a new language or speak in other languages that are not their mother's language.

* You can use commands "copy "and "paste" to put meanings in a document. It is not necessary to type it again.

* The databases are reviewed and upgraded frequently

* Finally, it is free

Types of Dictionaries

There are many online language dictionaries. Here, some of the most popular types of free online language dictionaries:

* The Traditional Dictionary. It uses to look for word definitions.
Examples: Merriam-Webster.com, Thefreedictionary.com, Dictionary.com, Dictionary.cambridge.org

* Thesaurus. It is a database of synonymous or related words, sometimes with antonyms. It can be an useful tool when you write an article in order to find alternate words. Examples: Merriam-Webster.com, Thefreedictionary.com, Yourdictionary.com, thesaurus.reference.com

* Translation Dictionary. It translates words from one language to another.Examples: Merriam-Webster.com, Thefreedictionary.com, Yourdictionary.com, Dictionary.com, WordReference.com

* The Multilingual Dictionary. It translates words from one language to several other languages. Also, you can find meaning of words in these languages. Examples: Wiktionary.org, Freedict.com, Allwords.com, Foreignword.com

* Meta Dictionary. This dictionary looks for word definitions in other online dictionaries.Example: Onelook.com, and Google. For Google, write the following command in the google browser: "define:" before the word that the definition you are looking for and then press Enter.

* Lexicon. It is a database of words belonging to a particular subject, like medical, engineering, legal, computers, etc. Examples: Merriam-Webster.com, Yourdictionary.com

* The Pop-up Dictionary. It is a dictionary that you use when you are navigating in the internet. If you want to know the definition of one word, by putting your mouse pointer on the word and using quick keyboard commands like Alt+Right click or double click. This option opens a pop-up window with the definition of the word. Example: Answer.com using as an extension of Mozilla Firefox.

There are free online languages dictionaries with premier options that are not free, like more complete dictionaries without advertisement and specialized dictionaries, for people that need special features. Anyway, if you are a writer, student, teacher or researcher, free online languages dictionaries are useful tools to do your assignments and improve your vocabulary.

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