How to Cite a Dictionary Entry in APA Format (7th Edition)
Complete guide to citing dictionary entries in APA 7. Covers online and print dictionaries, specialized dictionaries, and reference entries.
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Understanding Dictionary Citation Format in APA Style
Citing dictionaries in APA style adheres to specific guidelines that ensure clarity and consistency. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of how to format dictionary citations according to the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual. We will cover the basic structure, provide examples, and explain why these rules matter for effective academic writing.
Basic Structure of a Dictionary Citation
When citing a dictionary in APA style, the format is slightly different from that of books or journal articles. The general structure is as follows:
Format:
- Author, A. A. (Year). Title of entry. In Title of dictionary (Edition, page number). Publisher. URL
Example of a Dictionary Citation
Example 1:
- Merriam-Webster, Inc. (2021). Resilience. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience
Explanation:
In this citation:
- The author is the corporate author, Merriam-Webster, Inc.
- The year of publication is included in parentheses.
- The entry title (Resilience) is italicized.
- The title of the dictionary is also italicized, and the edition is not specified here as it is the first edition.
- The page number is omitted because dictionary entries do not have specific page numbers.
- Finally, the URL is provided as a live hyperlink, in accordance with APA 7th edition guidelines.
Importance of Citation Format
Proper citation format is crucial for several reasons:
1. Credibility: Accurate citations lend credibility to your work by allowing readers to locate original sources.
2. Consistency: Following a structured format helps maintain consistency throughout your writing, making it easier for readers to understand and follow your thought process.
3. Plagiarism Prevention: Proper citations help you avoid plagiarism by clearly attributing ideas and definitions to their original sources.
Common Pitfalls in Dictionary Citations
When citing dictionaries, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:
- Omitting the Author: Always include the author, whether it is a corporate author or an individual. Failing to do so can lead to incomplete citations.
- Incorrect Formatting of Titles: Ensure that the entry title and dictionary title are italicized correctly. Misformatting can confuse readers.
- Neglecting the URL: In the digital age, providing a URL is essential. Always ensure it is presented as a live hyperlink.
Practical Tips for Citing Dictionaries
- Use Reliable Sources: When choosing a dictionary, select well-known and reputable sources, such as Merriam-Webster or Oxford English Dictionary.
- Check for Updates: Dictionary entries can change over time. Always cite the most current edition to ensure accuracy.
- Avoid Over-Citation: While it is important to credit sources, avoid citing the same dictionary entry multiple times within a single work unless necessary for clarity.
Example of a Multi-Author Dictionary Citation
Dictionaries can have multiple contributors or editors. If you are citing a dictionary with multiple authors, the format slightly changes.
Example 2:
- Oxford English Dictionary. (2022). Articulate. In J. Smith & A. Jones (Eds.), The Oxford English dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/12345
Explanation:
- The title of the dictionary is italicized and followed by the editors' names, inverted as per the APA format.
- The edition is specified, and the publisher is mentioned.
- The URL leads directly to the entry for “Articulate.”
Conclusion
Understanding and applying the citation format for dictionaries in APA style is essential for effective academic writing. By following the outlined structure and being mindful of common pitfalls, you can create precise and clear citations. This not only enhances your credibility as a writer but also fosters a deeper engagement with your sources. Always remember that proper citation is a fundamental aspect of scholarly communication.
Step-by-Step Instructions
What You Need
- A dictionary or reliable online dictionary (such as Merriam-Webster, Oxford English Dictionary, or similar).
- Access to a computer or device with internet capabilities.
- A word processing software or note-taking application for writing your citations.
- Basic understanding of APA style guidelines.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating a Dictionary Citation in APA Style
1. Identify the Word and Source
Action: Begin by selecting the word you want to cite from the dictionary. Ensure that you choose a reputable dictionary, whether in print or online.
Verification: Confirm the dictionary's credibility. A reliable source will often have a well-known name, such as Merriam-Webster or Oxford English Dictionary.
Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Bookmark popular online dictionaries for quick access in the future.
2. Locate the Definition
Action: Search for the selected word in the chosen dictionary. Read through the definition and note any relevant information, such as the part of speech and any special notes.
Verification: Ensure you have the correct definition that you want to reference. If multiple definitions exist, choose the one that is most relevant to your work.
Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Use the search function (Ctrl + F) if using an online dictionary to quickly find your word.
3. Gather Citation Information
Action: Collect the following information needed for your citation:
- The name of the dictionary (e.g., Merriam-Webster)
- The year of publication or the year the online version was last updated
- The URL if using an online dictionary
Verification: Double-check the publication year and ensure the URL is correct if accessing an online dictionary.
Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Take notes in a structured format, listing each component of the citation as you gather it.
4. Format the Citation
Action: Use the following structure to format your dictionary citation according to APA 7th edition guidelines:
For a dictionary entry, the format is as follows:
Author. (Year). Title of the entry. In Title of the dictionary. URL
If no author is available, begin with the dictionary title.
Verification: Ensure that each component is in the correct order and format.
Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Consider using a citation generator to assist with formatting, but always double-check the output for accuracy.
5. Create the Citation Entry
Action: Construct the citation entry using the information you gathered. For example:
Merriam-Webster, Inc. (2023). Resilience. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience
Verification: Review the citation for proper punctuation, italics, and capitalization according to APA style. Ensure the URL is live if you are creating a digital document.
Time Estimate: 5 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Keep a template handy for future dictionary entries to streamline the process.
6. Insert the Citation into Your Work
Action: Place your formatted citation in the reference list of your paper. Make sure it is double-spaced and in alphabetical order with other references.
Verification: Check that the citation aligns with APA guidelines, including the hanging indent format if applicable.
Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Use the same citation style for all references to maintain consistency throughout your work.
7. Review and Edit Your Work
Action: Reread your citation and the related text in your paper. Ensure that the citation correctly corresponds to the definition used in your work.
Verification: Confirm that your work adheres to all APA guidelines and that the citation accurately reflects the source.
Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.
Tip for Efficiency: Utilize proofreading tools or ask a peer to review your citations for any potential errors or inconsistencies.
By following these steps, you can confidently create a proper dictionary citation in APA style. This skill will not only enhance your academic writing but also ensure that you give appropriate credit to your sources.
Common Errors for Dictionary Citation Citations
Students focus on sentence case rules but forget that proper nouns are always capitalized regardless of case rules
How to Avoid It:- Identify all proper nouns in the title including names of people
- Ensure names of places, organizations, and institutions are capitalized
- Capitalize specific geographic names and locations mentioned
- Maintain capitalization of brand names and historical events referenced
Students forget that subtitles are treated as separate sentences for capitalization purposes
How to Avoid It:- Locate all colons in the title that separate main title from subtitle
- Capitalize the first word immediately following each colon without exception
- Apply sentence case or title case rules to remaining subtitle words appropriately
- Ensure subtitle capitalization matches the type of title case being used
Students don't know when acronyms should be in all capitals versus following sentence case rules
How to Avoid It:- Identify well-known acronyms like CDC, NASA, APA, FBI that are widely recognized
- Keep these acronyms in all capitals regardless of sentence case rules
- For lesser-known acronyms, follow standard usage or title case rules
- Check if acronym is commonly written in all caps in professional contexts
Students partially apply rules but are inconsistent, mixing sentence and title case
How to Avoid It:- Choose correct case type for the source type first
- Apply rules consistently throughout the entire title without exception
- Double-check all words against the chosen case rules
- Review title for consistent application of capitalization throughout
Students focus on sentence case rules but forget the basic rule to always capitalize the first word
How to Avoid It:- Always capitalize the first word of any title without exception
- This applies regardless of sentence case or title case formatting used
- Check the very first character of the title for proper capitalization
- Ensure first word is capitalized even if it's a minor word type
Students extend italics beyond appropriate boundaries or apply them inconsistently
How to Avoid It:- Review italics boundaries carefully in citation formatting
- Italicize only titles and volume numbers in reference lists
- Keep all other elements like publisher location in plain text
- Ensure italics start and stop at appropriate points
Students omit periods after initials, especially when multiple initials are present
How to Avoid It:- Add period after each initial in author name formatting
- Ensure all initials have periods following them consistently
- Check that no initials are missing periods in reference lists
- Verify spacing between initials with periods is correct
Students space initials like regular words, not realizing they should be compact
How to Avoid It:- Remove spaces between initials in author name formatting
- Keep initials together without spacing between them
- Maintain periods after each initial without extra spacing
- Check that initials appear as M.K. not M. K. in citations
Students focus on the year in parentheses but forget the period after closing parenthesis
How to Avoid It:- Add period after closing parenthesis of year in citations
- Ensure year is in parentheses followed by period consistently
- Check that year information is complete with proper period
- Verify spacing between year period and title is correct
Students focus on internal punctuation but forget the citation must end with a period
How to Avoid It:- Add period at the very end of the citation reference
- Ensure citation ends with proper punctuation consistently
- Check that no citation is missing final period in reference list
- Verify that final period is not preceded by extra spacing
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Before submitting your Dictionary Citation citation, verify:
- In APA 7th edition, single authors are formatted with last name followed by a comma and first and middle initials. The initials should be separated by periods but not spaces. This format applies to all reference types including journal articles, books, and webpages. The author's name should be inverted (last name first) in the reference list only. This rule ensures consistency across all citation formats and makes alphabetical ordering more efficient in reference lists.
- For works with two authors, both names should be inverted (last name first) and separated by an ampersand (&) rather than the word 'and'. Each author's name follows the single author format (Last name, initials). The ampersand should be preceded by a comma. This format is used in both reference lists and parenthetical citations, but narrative citations use 'and' instead of '&'. This rule distinguishes APA from other citation styles and maintains consistency across multi-author works.
- For works with 21 or more authors, list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis (...), then list the final author. The ellipsis replaces authors 20 through the second-to-last author. All listed authors follow the standard inverted format. This rule prevents extremely long citation lists while still providing key attribution information. The ellipsis should not be italicized or bracketed. This change from APA 6th edition's 7+ author rule provides more comprehensive author listing.
- Author titles, suffixes, and credentials (like Jr., Sr., II, III, Ph.D., M.D.) should be included in the reference list. Suffixes like Jr., Sr., II, and III follow the initials, separated by commas. Academic and professional credentials are generally omitted from reference list entries but may be included in special circumstances. Titles like Dr., Professor, or military ranks are not included in reference list citations. This rule provides complete identification when needed while avoiding unnecessary credential inflation.
- When including URLs for websites, online documents, or other sources without DOIs, present them as live hyperlinks without any special formatting or punctuation. APA 7 removes the 'Retrieved from' prefix that was required in APA 6 for most URLs. URLs should be presented in their simplest form, beginning with http:// or https://, and should be hyperlinks in digital documents. Do not add a period at the end of a URL unless it is part of the original URL. This simplification makes citations cleaner while maintaining functionality for digital access to sources.
- When a URL or DOI leads to a broken or inactive link, APA 7 provides several options for handling the citation. If the source is available through an archive like the Internet Archive, include the archived URL. If the source cannot be located, include as much information as possible and note that the resource is no longer available. For journal articles with broken DOIs, include the DOI but add a note indicating it's inactive. The principle is to provide enough information for readers to locate the source if possible, while acknowledging access limitations. This represents more detailed guidance than APA 6 provided for handling broken links.
Special Cases
Understanding Special Cases and Edge Cases in APA Dictionary Citations
Citing dictionaries in APA format can present unique challenges, especially when dealing with special cases and edge cases. Understanding how to navigate these situations is essential for maintaining consistency and accuracy in academic writing. This guide provides a detailed overview of the rules, examples, and practical tips for citing dictionaries in APA 7th edition.
General Rules for Dictionary Citations
In APA 7th edition, dictionary entries are typically cited in the reference list and in-text citations using the following general format:
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Reference List Format: Author(s). (Year). Title of entry. In Title of Dictionary (Edition). Publisher. URL (if applicable)
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In-Text Citation: (Author, Year)
For dictionary citations, the author is often the dictionary itself, which may not have a personal author. In that case, the organization can be listed as the author.
Special Cases in Dictionary Citations
- No Author Listed
In situations where the dictionary does not list a specific author, the organization or the title of the dictionary serves as the author. For example, if you are citing Merriam-Webster's dictionary:
Example:
Merriam-Webster. (2021). Definition of empathy. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy
In this case, "Merriam-Webster" is treated as the author.
- Multiple Entries from the Same Dictionary
When citing multiple entries from the same dictionary, the same reference can be used for different in-text citations, as long as the publication date remains the same. However, if the entries are from different editions, each edition must be cited separately.
Example:
Merriam-Webster. (2021). Definition of empathy. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy
Merriam-Webster. (2019). Definition of resilience. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience
In-text citations would look like this:
(Merriam-Webster, 2021) for empathy and (Merriam-Webster, 2019) for resilience.
- Citing a Specific Edition
If you are using a specific print edition of a dictionary, that edition must be noted in the citation. This includes specifying the edition number if it is not the first.
Example:
Oxford English Dictionary. (2019). Definition of justice. In Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Here, the edition is clearly stated, making it easy to identify which version of the dictionary was used.
Edge Cases in Dictionary Citations
- Citing a Dictionary Entry with a DOI
While dictionary entries typically do not have DOIs, if you encounter one, it should be included in the reference. The DOI provides a permanent link to the specific entry.
Example:
Collins. (2022). Definition of resolve. In Collins English Dictionary. https://doi.org/10.1234/collins-dictionary/resolve
This format ensures readers can directly access the entry.
- Using an Online Dictionary with No Date
If the online dictionary does not provide a date of publication, use "n.d." to indicate "no date." This can happen with some continuously updated online dictionaries.
Example:
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Definition of culture. In Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/culture
This informs readers that the date is not available.
Why These Rules Matter
Adhering to these citation rules is critical for several reasons. First, they ensure that references are consistent and reliable, allowing readers to easily locate the original sources. Second, proper citations help to maintain academic integrity by giving credit to the original authors and sources of information. Lastly, following APA guidelines enhances the professionalism of your academic writing.
Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls
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Tip for No Author: Always check if the organization itself can be used as an author. If not, the entry title may be used.
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Common Pitfall: Avoid using periods after the URL or DOI unless it is part of the original link. This can lead to broken links.
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Tip for Multiple Entries: When citing multiple entries from the same dictionary, ensure you keep track of the publication years and editions. This will help avoid confusion in your citations.
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Common Pitfall: Remember that while abbreviations for dictionary entries can be tempting, always use the full title of the dictionary in the reference list.
Conclusion
Understanding how to cite dictionaries in APA format, especially in special and edge cases, can greatly enhance the clarity and credibility of your academic work. By following these guidelines and being aware of potential pitfalls, you can ensure that your citations are accurate, consistent, and useful for your readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a dictionary entry in APA format?
To cite a dictionary entry in APA format, you should include the author (if available), the year of publication, the title of the entry, the title of the dictionary, the edition (if applicable), and the URL if you accessed it online. For example, if you were citing the entry for 'psychology' from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it would look like this: Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Psychology. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychology. It is important to note that if the dictionary is a print version, you would omit the URL. For more detailed guidance, refer to the APA Publication Manual or visit the APA Style website.
Do I need to include the edition of the dictionary when citing?
Yes, including the edition of the dictionary is important in APA citations, especially if you are using a specific version that may have different definitions or entries. For instance, if you are citing a specialized dictionary or a newer edition, this information should be included to ensure clarity. The format would include the edition in parentheses after the title of the dictionary, such as: Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Psychology. In Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary (11th ed.). Retrieved from URL. This helps your readers identify the source you referenced. If you are using an online version without a specific edition, you can simply note it as 'n.d.' for no date. For further details, check the APA Style guidelines.
What if the dictionary entry does not have an author?
If the dictionary entry does not have a specific author, you can use the name of the dictionary itself as the author. In the case of well-known dictionaries, such as Merriam-Webster or Oxford English Dictionary, the organization's name is typically sufficient. For example, you might format it as: Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). Etymology. In Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved from URL. This approach helps attribute the information correctly, even when a personal author is not available. Ensure to follow this format consistently across your citations. For more examples, consult the APA Style website.
How do I cite an online dictionary that updates frequently?
When citing an online dictionary that updates frequently, it is essential to include the retrieval date in your citation. This informs readers when you accessed the information, which is crucial for entries that may change over time. For example: Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Psychology. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychology. Using 'n.d.' indicates that no specific publication date is provided. This approach gives context to your citation, as the definition may evolve. For more details on citing online sources, refer to the APA Publication Manual.
Can I cite a thesaurus in APA format?
Yes, you can cite a thesaurus in APA format, and the citation follows a similar structure to that of a dictionary. Include the author or organization, the year, the title of the entry, the title of the thesaurus, and the URL if accessed online. An example citation might look like this: Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Synonyms for 'happy'. In Merriam-Webster thesaurus. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happy. As with dictionaries, if the thesaurus is in print, you would exclude the URL. For further guidance, visit the APA Style website.
What is the importance of citing dictionary entries in academic writing?
Citing dictionary entries in academic writing is crucial for several reasons. First, it provides proper attribution to the source of definitions or explanations used in your work. This enhances the credibility of your writing by showing that you have referenced established sources. Second, it allows readers to trace the information back to its original source, which is important for verifying facts or definitions. Lastly, proper citations help avoid plagiarism by acknowledging the original creators of the content. For more detailed insights into the importance of citations, you can explore resources available on the APA Style website.
Last Updated: 2025-10-26
Reading Time: 10 minutes
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