How to Cite Dictionary.com in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Dictionary.com in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

Dictionary.com presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling Dictionary.com's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: Dictionary.com Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. https://www.example.com/page

Dictionary.com-Specific Notes:
Citing Dictionary.com in APA 7th edition presents unique challenges because it often lacks a traditional author or publication date, elements typically required in standard citations. When using Dictionary.com, the citation format adapts to accommodate these differences. The entry title is positioned at the beginning of the citation, followed by the publication date (if available), or "n.d." for "no date" if it is not. Dictionary.com is then cited as the source. For example: Term. (n.d.). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL. This deviates from the standard citation format where an individual author or organization is credited first.

A common point of confusion arises when students are unsure about the author attribution. For Dictionary.com, the entity providing the content is often the best choice, which is Dictionary.com itself in most cases. This contrasts with typical citations where an individual or a specific organization is identified as the author. Another frequent issue is the absence of a publication date. It's crucial to recognize when to use "n.d." and ensure the retrieval date is included, reflecting the dynamic nature of online content.

To ensure accuracy, students should adhere to these best practices: always verify whether an author or a specific date is provided on the webpage, use "Dictionary.com" as the author when no individual author is listed, and remember to include a retrieval date. These steps will help students create precise citations and avoid common pitfalls when referencing Dictionary.com.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Webpage format with Dictionary.com specifics
- Locate citation info on Dictionary.com's website
- Handle Dictionary.com's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on Dictionary.com

When using Dictionary.com for academic research, understanding how to locate citation information is crucial for proper attribution in your work. Here’s a detailed guide on how to find the necessary citation details on Dictionary.com:

Locating the Author

Dictionary.com primarily provides definitions and word-related information and often does not attribute specific entries to individual authors. Instead, the content is generally produced by the editorial team at Dictionary.com. If an individual author is credited, their name would typically be mentioned at the top or bottom of the entry. However, such instances are rare, and it is common practice to attribute the work to "Dictionary.com" as the corporate author.

Finding the Publication Date

Publication dates are not always explicitly listed on Dictionary.com entries. However, for definitions and general word entries, the lack of a specific publication date is understood to reflect a continuously updated resource. In academic citations, you may use "n.d." to indicate "no date" if a specific publication date is not provided. For articles or special content, the publication date might be found under the headline or at the bottom of the article page, often near the author's name if available.

Identifying the Title

The title of the entry or article is crucial for citation. On Dictionary.com, the entry title is usually the word or phrase you searched for and appears prominently at the top of the page. For other content, such as articles or editorials, the headline at the top of the page serves as the title. Ensure you capture the full headline as displayed.

Obtaining the URL/Access Information

The URL is a straightforward piece of information that can be found in the browser's address bar. Simply copy the complete URL to include in your citation. This URL is crucial as it allows others to access the same page directly. Remember to include the full URL, beginning with "https://www.dictionary.com/..."

Citation Example in APA Format

In APA 7th edition format, a citation for a dictionary entry without a specific author or date looks like this:

Dictionary.com. (n.d.). [Title of entry]. In Dictionary.com. Retrieved [Month Day, Year], from [URL]

For example, if you were citing the entry for "Resilience," it would look like:

Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Resilience. In Dictionary.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/resilience

By following these steps, you can accurately cite resources from Dictionary.com, ensuring your academic work adheres to proper citation standards.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Dictionary.com Citation

Create a Citation for Dictionary.com: Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating a citation for Dictionary.com in APA style is straightforward. Follow these detailed steps to ensure you correctly format your citation.

What You Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Visit Dictionary.com
    - Action: Open your web browser and navigate to https://www.dictionary.com.
    - Verification: Ensure the website loads properly and that you can see the search bar at the top of the page.
    - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
    - Tip: Bookmark the website for quick access in the future.

  2. Search for the Word
    - Action: In the search bar, type the word you want to define and press Enter.
    - Verification: Confirm that the definition page for your chosen word appears.
    - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
    - Tip: Choose a word that is relevant to your research or writing project for better contextual usage.

  3. Locate the Information Needed for Your Citation
    - Action: Once on the word’s definition page, look for the following information: the author (if available), the date of publication, the title of the webpage, and the URL.
    - Verification: Make sure you have all the required details. Typically, the author is not listed for Dictionary.com, and the date may not be explicitly stated.
    - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    - Tip: If no specific author is listed, you can use "Dictionary.com" as the author.

  4. Identify the Title of the Webpage
    - Action: The title of the webpage is usually the word you are looking up. Write it down and ensure it is italicized.
    - Verification: Check that you have copied the word exactly as it appears on the page.
    - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
    - Tip: If you are citing a specific definition or usage note, consider including that in your citation.

  5. Gather the Publication Date
    - Action: Look for the last updated date on the webpage. If no date is available, you can use "n.d." which stands for "no date."
    - Verification: If a date is provided, ensure it is formatted correctly in the citation (Year, Month Day).
    - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    - Tip: If you are unsure about the date, default to "n.d." to avoid errors.

  6. Construct Your Citation
    - Action: Using the template provided, fill in the information you have gathered. The format should look like this:
    Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. https://www.example.com/page.
    - Example: If you are citing the word "example" and there is no author or date, it would look like this:
    Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Example. Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/example.
    - Verification: Double-check your citation against the APA style guidelines to ensure accuracy.
    - Time Estimate: 3 minutes.
    - Tip: Use an online citation generator for additional help if needed.

  7. Review Your Citation
    - Action: Read over your completed citation to catch any typos or formatting errors.
    - Verification: Make sure everything is in the correct order, all necessary elements are included, and that it adheres to APA style.
    - Time Estimate: 2 minutes.
    - Tip: If possible, have someone else review your citation to provide feedback.

  8. Save Your Citation
    - Action: Copy your finished citation into your reference list or save it in a document for later use.
    - Verification: Check that the citation is saved in the correct format and location.
    - Time Estimate: 1 minute.
    - Tip: Create a dedicated document for all your citations to keep them organized.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can efficiently create an APA citation for a word from Dictionary.com. Make sure to take your time to gather all necessary information, and do not hesitate to ask for help if you encounter any issues. Happy citing!

Real Examples from Dictionary.com

This section provides authentic citation examples from Dictionary.com using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I'm unable to access external websites or provide real-time content, so I can't retrieve or verify current articles from Dictionary.com. However, I can guide you on how to create APA citations for hypothetical scenarios based on typical content types you might find on a website like Dictionary.com. Here’s how you can structure these citations using APA 7th edition guidelines:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: A linguist writes an article about the evolution of slang in the English language.

Complete Reference List Citation:

Smith, J. (2023, April 15). The evolution of slang in the English language. Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/slang-evolution

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Smith (2023) discusses the evolution of slang.

Notes: This example is noteworthy for its focus on a specific aspect of language and is attributed to an individual author, making it straightforward to cite.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: Dictionary.com publishes a guide on how to use their new language tools.

Complete Reference List Citation:

Dictionary.com. (2023, June 10). How to use our new language tools. Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/new-tools-guide

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Dictionary.com, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Dictionary.com (2023) provides guidance on their new language tools.

Notes: This citation uses a corporate author, which is common for content published by organizations or websites as a whole.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: Two language experts co-author an article on the influence of social media on vocabulary.

Complete Reference List Citation:

Johnson, L., & Patel, R. (2023, February 28). The impact of social media on modern vocabulary. Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/social-media-vocabulary

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Johnson & Patel, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Johnson and Patel (2023) explore the impact of social media on vocabulary.

Notes: This example is unique due to its multiple authorship, which is common in academic and collaborative environments.

Example 4: Special Formatting Cases

Scenario Description: An entry detailing the history and usage of the word "meme."

Complete Reference List Citation:

Dictionary.com. (2023, August 5). Meme. In Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/meme

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Dictionary.com, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Dictionary.com (2023) defines and explores the term "meme."

Notes: This example is special because it cites a dictionary entry, requiring the use of "In" to indicate the specific entry within the larger work.

These examples are illustrative and based on standard APA guidelines. When creating real citations, always ensure you have accurate and current details from the source.

Common Issues When Citing Dictionary.com

When citing Dictionary.com in APA 7th edition, students frequently encounter several issues related to authorship, date formats, URL handling, and access requirements. Each problem arises from unique elements of Dictionary.com's interface and content organization. Here’s a breakdown of these challenges and how to address them effectively.

Identifying the Author

Issue Description

Students often struggle with identifying the correct author for entries on Dictionary.com because the website typically does not list individual authors for each definition.

Why It Happens

Dictionary.com is a secondary source that compiles definitions from various dictionaries. Often, it does not attribute specific entries to individual authors, making it difficult to follow the standard APA requirement of listing an author.

Solution

When no individual author is listed, APA guidelines suggest using the name of the organization as the author. For Dictionary.com, this would be “Dictionary.com”.

Before:
- "N/A" or "Anonymous" as the author.

After:
- Dictionary.com. (Year). Entry title. In Dictionary.com. URL

Date Formats

Issue Description

Students may be unsure about which date to use or how to format it correctly, as Dictionary.com often provides multiple dates (such as copyright or last updated dates).

Why It Happens

The presence of different types of dates can be confusing, especially if the page does not explicitly state when the definition was last updated.

Solution

Use the most recent date available on the webpage that pertains to the content. If only a copyright date is available, it is acceptable to use it.

Step-by-step:
1. Look for a “Last updated” date.
2. If not available, use the copyright date.
3. Format the date as Year, Month Day if available, or just Year.

Before:
- No date or incorrect format.

After:
- Dictionary.com. (2023, September 15). Entry title. In Dictionary.com. URL

URL Handling

Issue Description

Students often omit URLs or use shortened versions, which can lead to incomplete citations.

Why It Happens

Students might be unaware of the necessity of including a complete and direct URL when citing online sources in APA.

Solution

Always include the full, direct URL to the specific page being cited. Avoid using shortened URLs or homepage URLs.

Step-by-step:
1. Navigate to the specific entry on Dictionary.com.
2. Copy the entire URL from the address bar.
3. Paste it into your citation.

Before:
- Dictionary.com. (2023). Entry title.

After:
- Dictionary.com. (2023). Entry title. In Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/entry-title

Access Requirements

Issue Description

Students may be confused about whether to mention access dates or subscription details.

Why It Happens

APA 7th edition generally does not require access dates for content that is likely to remain unchanged (like dictionary entries), nor does it require mentioning subscription access unless it impacts the ability to retrieve the source.

Solution

Most Dictionary.com entries do not require an access date. However, if you are citing content that might change or is behind a subscription, note the access date.

Step-by-step:
1. Verify if the entry is subject to change.
2. If likely to change or subscription-based, include the date you accessed the information.
3. Format it as “Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL”.

Before:
- Dictionary.com. (2023). Entry title.

After:
- Only if necessary: Dictionary.com. (2023). Entry title. In Dictionary.com. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/entry-title

By addressing these common citation issues, students can ensure their references to Dictionary.com are both accurate and in compliance with APA 7th edition guidelines.

Note: For general Webpage citation errors, see How to Cite Webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dictionary.com

Q: How do I find the necessary citation information like author and publication date on Dictionary.com?

A: On Dictionary.com, the author is typically the organization itself, listed as "Dictionary.com." The publication date can often be found at the bottom of the entry or page. If no specific date is available, use "n.d." for "no date."

Q: How should I format the author in an APA citation for Dictionary.com if no individual author is provided?

A: When citing Dictionary.com, use "Dictionary.com" as the author because it is usually the corporate author of the content. In APA format, this is treated as the author name.

Q: What should I do if the publication date is not clearly listed on Dictionary.com?

A: If the publication date is not available on Dictionary.com, you should use "n.d." in place of the date in your citation. This indicates that no date is available.

Q: Are there specific URL or access date requirements when citing Dictionary.com in APA?

A: Include the full URL of the specific page or entry in your citation. Access dates are not required in APA 7th edition unless the content is likely to change over time, which is uncommon for dictionary entries.

Q: How does citing Dictionary.com differ from citing other web pages in APA format?

A: Citing Dictionary.com differs mainly in terms of the author attribution, as it uses a corporate author format. Additionally, dictionary entries often lack individual publication dates, necessitating the use of "n.d." (no date), and they may require a retrieval date only if the content is subject to change.

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