How to Cite Oxford English Dictionary in MLA 9 Format

Overview, what you are citing when you use the OED

The Oxford English Dictionary (often shortened to OED) is a reference work. In MLA 9, you usually cite it to document a word’s definition, etymology, pronunciation, or historical usage examples. Because dictionary entries can change over time, MLA treats online dictionary entries like other web sources. You should identify the entry, the dictionary title, the publisher, the version (if shown), the date of last update (if available), the URL, and the date you accessed it.

In many cases, the OED entry does not present a personal author. When there is no author, MLA tells you to begin with the title of the entry. That is the most common pattern for OED citations.

Core MLA 9 Works Cited format for an OED entry

Use this general template for an online OED entry:

No author (most common)

“Entry Title.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, Date of last update (if listed), URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Key points:
- Entry title is in quotation marks because it is a short work within a larger work.
- Oxford English Dictionary is italicized because it is the container (the larger work).
- Oxford University Press is the publisher.
- Date is the most recent update date for the entry if the page provides one. If no date is shown, you omit it.
- URL should be the stable link to the entry if possible.
- Accessed date is recommended for sources that update, and dictionary entries update often.

How the author rules apply to the OED

Your rules about author names are important, but they apply only when an author is actually listed.

When an author is listed

Some OED pages may credit an editor, a contributor, or a group responsible for revisions. If a real person is credited as the author of the entry, you can treat that person as the author.

Your author formatting rules matter here:
- First author name is inverted: Last, First Middle.
- Full first names, not initials: Use the name as written, but do not shorten it to initials.
- Two authors: First author inverted, then “and” plus the second author in normal order.
- Three or more authors: First author inverted, then “et al.”

In practice, most students will not see a personal author on OED entries. The “no author” format is usually correct.

Why these rules matter in MLA

Accurate credit and easy verification

MLA citations are designed to help readers find the exact source you used. With the OED, that means:
- Identifying the exact entry title.
- Pointing to the correct dictionary (many dictionaries exist).
- Including a date and access date when content can change.

Consistent alphabetizing in Works Cited

MLA’s inverted first author format and title first format (when there is no author) exist for one main reason, sorting. Your Works Cited should be easy to scan. Starting with an author when available, or the title when there is no author, makes entries predictable.

Respect for identity in author names

Using full first names, when an author exists, avoids ambiguity and treats names as part of the author’s identity. Even though MLA does not require you to expand initials that appear in the source, your rule set prioritizes clarity. The key is consistency across your Works Cited.

Example 1, no author (typical OED entry)

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

“Serendipity, n.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2025, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/serendipity_n. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• No author appears, so the citation begins with the entry title.
• The entry title includes part of speech, such as “n.” for noun, because that is part of how the OED identifies the entry and helps readers locate it.
• The dictionary title is italicized as the container.
• The publisher is included.
• A last update year is included because dictionary entries can be revised.
• The URL points directly to the entry.
• The access date documents when you consulted the entry, which matters if the entry changes later.

In-text citation

Use the first element of the Works Cited entry, shortened if needed:
- (“Serendipity”)

If you quote a definition, you normally do not cite page numbers for an online dictionary entry.

Example 2, no author and no date listed

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

“Liminal, adj.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/liminal_adj. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• If the page does not show a clear update date, you omit the date. MLA does not require you to insert a placeholder like “n.d.” for web sources.
• You still include the access date because the entry can be updated at any time.

In-text citation

• (“Liminal”)

Example 3, entry credited to two authors (how to apply your author rules)

This example demonstrates your two author rule. Use it only if the entry actually lists two authors.

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

Nguyen, Hannah Marie, and Carlos Eduardo Rivera. “Algorithm, n.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2024, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/algorithm_n. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• The first author is inverted: Nguyen, Hannah Marie.
• The second author is in normal order: Carlos Eduardo Rivera.
• The word and connects the two authors, as MLA prefers.
• The entry title is in quotation marks, followed by the dictionary title in italics.
• The rest follows the standard web reference structure.

In-text citation

• (Nguyen and Rivera)

Practical tips for citing the OED correctly

Use the entry’s exact title

The OED often includes punctuation and labels like “n.” “v.” or “adj.” Include them because they help identify the entry precisely.

Prefer a direct entry link

Copy the URL that goes to the specific entry page, not a search results page. If your link includes long tracking text, remove only what is clearly tracking. Do not break the link.

Always consider an access date

Because dictionary entries can be revised, an access date is especially helpful. Write it as MLA prefers: Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Match your in-text citation to the Works Cited

If your Works Cited entry begins with the title, your in-text citation uses that title, usually shortened to the first word or two.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Pitfall 1, treating the dictionary as the author

Do not list “Oxford English Dictionary” as the author unless the source explicitly names it as an author. In MLA, the dictionary title is the container, not the author.

Pitfall 2, forgetting quotation marks around the entry title

The entry is a short work inside a larger work, so it should be in quotation marks. The dictionary title is italicized.

Pitfall 3, adding “n.d.” or “Anonymous”

If there is no date, omit the date. If there is no author, start with the title. Do not insert placeholders.

Pitfall 4, using initials for author names

If an author is credited and your guide requires full first names, do not reduce names to initials. Keep the full names as presented.

Summary checklist

• Start with author only if a named author exists, formatted with your rules.
• If no author, start with the entry title in quotation marks.
• Italicize Oxford English Dictionary.
• Include Oxford University Press.
• Include the entry’s last update date if shown, otherwise omit it.
• Provide the URL to the entry.
• Add an Accessed date.

If you want, share one OED entry link you used, and I can format the exact MLA 9 Works Cited entry and the matching in-text citation using your rule set.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Oxford English Dictionary Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

What makes Oxford English Dictionary citations tricky in MLA 9

The Oxford English Dictionary (often shortened to OED) is not a typical book or a typical website. It is a continuously updated reference work, it is usually accessed through a database-like platform, and individual entries can be revised without a clear “new edition” the way a print book is. Those features create special cases in MLA 9.

In MLA 9, your goal is to help readers find the exact entry you used. That means you usually cite the specific dictionary entry, not the entire dictionary. You also need to make smart choices about dates, authorship, and URLs, because the OED often provides partial or changing information.

Core MLA 9 approach for OED entries

For most OED entries you will use this basic pattern in your Works Cited:

“Entry Title.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, date of last update (if given), URL. Accessed day Month year.

Key points:

• The entry title is in quotation marks because it is a short work within a larger work.
• Oxford English Dictionary is italicized because it is the container.
• Oxford University Press is the publisher.
• Use a stable URL for the entry when possible.
• Include an access date, because entries can change.

This “entry in a reference work” structure matters because it matches how readers will look it up. They search the entry title within the OED, or they follow the link you provide.

Special case 1, when the entry lists an author or editors

When a named author is clearly credited for the entry

Sometimes an entry or revision in the OED credits a specific contributor. If a person is explicitly credited as the author of the entry you used, MLA allows you to list that person first.

However, in many OED entries, there is no straightforward “author” line. Do not invent an author. If the OED does not clearly name an author for that entry, treat it as no author and begin with the entry title.

If an author is present, follow your rule set for names.

• Use the full first name, not initials.
• Invert only the first author’s name.
• For two authors, use “and,” with the second author not inverted.
• For three or more, use “et al.” after the first author only.

Why this rule matters

Authorship affects alphabetization in Works Cited and affects how you cite in the text. If you incorrectly invent an author, you send your reader to the wrong place in your Works Cited list and you weaken credibility.

Practical tip

If you are unsure whether a name is the author of the entry or just part of editorial metadata, default to no author and start with the entry title. That is usually the safest MLA choice for OED.

Special case 2, when there is no publication date or the entry is frequently updated

Use “last updated” or “revised” date if provided

Many OED entries include a revision date. If you see something like “revised” or “updated” with a date, use that date in your citation.

If no date is shown

MLA 9 does not require you to force a date into the entry. If the entry has no visible update date, you can omit the date element and rely on the access date.

Do not use “n.d.” because your rules specify not to use it, and MLA does not require it.

Why this rule matters

OED entries can change. Your reader needs to know when you consulted the entry, especially if a definition or historical note is later revised.

Practical tip

Always include an access date for OED entries, even when a revision date is present. This is one of the most reader-friendly habits for online reference sources.

Special case 3, choosing the right URL and handling database-like access

Prefer stable entry links

If the OED gives you a shareable entry link, use that. Avoid copying a long URL that includes session information, library proxy strings, or temporary tokens.

If you access OED through a library proxy, your URL might begin with something that looks like a campus login domain. If possible, replace it with the clean OED URL that works for most readers.

Why this rule matters

A proxy link may not work for your reader. A stable link supports verification, which is a core purpose of citation.

Common pitfall

Copying the URL from the browser bar after logging in often captures a temporary address. Use the “Share” or “Cite” tool if available, or copy the permalink for the entry.

Special case 4, citing a specific sense, subentry, or phrase within an entry

OED entries can be complex. They may include multiple senses, etymology, pronunciation, quotations, and subentries for compounds or phrases.

MLA solution

MLA 9 does not require you to cite a specific sense number in Works Cited, but you can add clarifying details in your prose or in a note if your instructor allows it. The key is still the entry title and the container.

If you used a specific phrase within an entry, you can name that phrase in your sentence, then cite the entry as usual.

Why this rule matters

Your reader must be able to reproduce your research path. If your claim depends on a specific sense, clarity in your writing prevents confusion.

Practical tip

In your sentence, specify what you used, for example “sense 3b” or “the etymology section,” then use the normal in-text citation that points to the entry.

Special case 5, in-text citations for OED entries

In-text citations usually use the first element of the Works Cited entry.

• If your Works Cited entry starts with the entry title, your in-text citation uses a shortened form of that title in quotation marks if needed.
• If your Works Cited entry starts with an author, use the author’s last name.

Because dictionary entries typically have no page numbers online, you usually cite only the first element.

Why this rule matters

MLA in-text citations are designed to match Works Cited entries. Consistency lets the reader locate the full citation quickly.

Special case 6, multiple OED entries with similar titles, or repeated citations

If you cite several OED entries, your Works Cited list will contain many similar citations. Small differences, like the entry title and the URL, become important.

Practical tips

• Double-check spelling and capitalization of entry titles.
• If two entries have the same word but different forms, make sure the titles match what OED displays, for example a headword versus a variant.
• Keep access dates consistent in format.

Examples with correct MLA 9 formatting and explanations

Example 1, no author listed, entry has an update date

Works Cited
- “serendipity, n.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2024, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/serendipity_n. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

How to cite in text
- (“serendipity, n.”)

Why this works
- No author is credited, so the citation begins with the entry title.
- The entry title is in quotation marks because it is a short work.
- The OED is the container, so it is italicized.
- The publisher is Oxford University Press.
- A revision or update year is included, and an access date is included because online entries can change.
- The in-text citation matches the first element of the Works Cited entry, which is the title.

Common pitfall to avoid
- Do not cite the entire OED as if it were a book if you only used one definition. Your reader needs the entry.

Example 2, entry credited to two authors

Works Cited
- Smith, Jordan Michael, and Taylor Renee Johnson. “algorithm, n.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2023, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/algorithm_n. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

How to cite in text
- (Smith and Johnson)

Why this works
- The first author’s name is inverted, Smith, Jordan Michael, which supports alphabetical ordering.
- The second author is not inverted, Taylor Renee Johnson, and the names are joined by “and,” which is standard MLA practice for two authors.
- Full first names are used, not initials, following your rules.
- The entry title still appears in quotation marks because it is the specific item being cited.
- The in-text citation uses both authors’ last names, which matches MLA practice for two authors.

Common pitfall to avoid
- Do not invert the second author’s name. MLA only inverts the first author in Works Cited entries.

Example 3, no author, no clear update date, accessed through a library

Works Cited
- “meme, n.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/meme_n. Accessed 18 Sept. 2025.

How to cite in text
- (“meme, n.”)

Why this works
- No date is forced into the citation. MLA allows you to omit it when it is not provided.
- The access date becomes even more important because it tells the reader when you consulted the content.
- The URL is clean and direct. It avoids a library proxy prefix that might break for readers outside your institution.

Common pitfall to avoid
- Do not include a long proxy URL if you can locate the stable OED link. Proxy links often fail for readers.

Common pitfalls checklist for OED citations

• Inventing an author or editor. If no author is clearly credited for the entry, start with the entry title.
• Using initials for authors. Your rules require full first names, and it improves clarity.
• Citing the whole dictionary instead of the entry. Cite the entry unless your work truly discusses the OED as a whole.
• Skipping the access date. For a living, updated reference work, access dates are especially useful.
• Copying unstable URLs. Use permalinks or share links when possible.
• Forgetting the container. The entry is not enough, you need Oxford English Dictionary as the container.

Final practical advice

When in doubt, prioritize what your reader needs to retrieve the same entry you used. For OED, that usually means the entry title, the container, the publisher, a stable link, and an access date. Those elements handle most edge cases cleanly, even when authorship and dates are unclear.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an Oxford English Dictionary entry in MLA 9?

In MLA 9, cite the specific dictionary entry, not the whole dictionary. Start with the entry word in quotation marks, then the dictionary title in italics, the publisher, the date of the version you used (often a “Last updated” date on the entry), the URL, and your access date if your instructor wants it. Example format: “Word.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, Day Mon. Year, https://www.oed.com/..., Accessed Day Mon. Year. Use a permalink when available so the link stays stable. In your in text citation, use the entry word in quotation marks, for example (“Word”). This helps when there is no page number. If you are using the definition to support an argument about meaning or usage, quote the exact sense number or definition wording in your prose. For more guidance, see the MLA Handbook principles and the MLA Style Center: https://style.mla.org/ and OED help pages: https://www.oed.com/information/using-the-oed/.

Do I need to include an author for an OED definition, and what if there is no author listed?

Most OED entries do not list an individual author in a way MLA expects for a works cited entry, so you usually begin with the entry word. MLA 9 allows you to omit an author when none is given, and to start with the title of the source or, in this case, the title of the entry. If the entry page lists an editor or contributor in a clearly labeled way, you can include that person after the title, but it is rarely necessary. A common student scenario is trying to force “Oxford University Press” into the author slot. In MLA, the publisher is a separate element, so keep Oxford University Press as the publisher, not the author. Your in text citation should match the first element of the works cited entry, typically the entry word, for example (“lexicon”). For more on MLA’s core elements and missing authors, see the MLA Style Center: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

What date should I use when citing the Oxford English Dictionary online, and what if I cannot find one?

Use the date connected to the entry you actually consulted, often labeled “Last updated” or similar. That date matters because OED entries can change as new evidence is added, and your reader should be able to understand which version you saw. If the entry shows multiple revision dates, choose the most recent update date associated with the entry content. If you cannot find any date on the entry page, MLA 9 allows you to omit the date and rely on the access date, especially for frequently updated online reference works. A practical scenario is citing a definition during a timed exam or in a lab report style paper, where you only have the URL and today’s date. In that case, include “Accessed Day Mon. Year.” Always prefer a permalink over a session based link. For MLA’s guidance on dates and access dates, see https://style.mla.org/citing-websites/.

How do I cite a specific sense, quotation, or etymology from an OED entry in MLA 9?

If you quote a definition, sense label, historical quotation, or etymology, cite the entry as your source and be specific in your writing about what part you used. MLA citations do not require you to cite “sense 3b” in the works cited entry, but it is helpful to mention the sense number in your sentence, for example, “In sense 2a, the OED defines…” Then cite the entry in parentheses, for example (“run”). If you quote one of the OED’s historical usage quotations, treat it as quoted material from the OED entry, not as a separate primary source, unless you also consulted the original text. In that scenario, you might cite both, depending on your assignment. When quoting, copy punctuation carefully and use quotation marks for the quoted passage. For more on quoting and integrating sources in MLA, see https://style.mla.org/quotations/ and OED guidance on entry structure: https://www.oed.com/information/using-the-oed/understanding-an-entry/.

How do I cite the print Oxford English Dictionary, and is it different from citing the online version?

Yes, the print and online versions are cited differently because the containers and location details differ. For a print volume, start with the entry word in quotation marks, then the dictionary title in italics, edition if relevant, publisher, year, and page number. Example format: “Word.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 19XX, p. XX. If you used a specific volume, include the volume number after the title if it helps your reader locate the entry. For the online OED, you usually include the URL and an access date, and you use the entry’s update date rather than a print year. A common scenario is a library assignment that requires comparing a historical print definition to the current online definition. In that case, create two separate works cited entries, one for each version you used. For MLA examples on print reference works, see https://style.mla.org/ and your library’s MLA guide if available.

How do I cite OED in text, and what should I do if I cite multiple OED entries?

In text, MLA 9 uses the first element of your works cited entry, which is usually the entry word in quotation marks. If you cite one entry, you can write: The OED defines “semantic shift” as…, then use a parenthetical citation like (“semantic shift”). If you cite multiple entries, keep each in text citation tied to the specific entry word, for example (“meme”) and (“virus”). This prevents confusion when you have several dictionary citations. If your instructor prefers no quotation marks in the parenthetical citation, follow their course rule, but MLA’s logic is to match the works cited entry exactly. If you are citing the OED repeatedly in a paragraph, you can sometimes name it in your prose and use fewer parenthetical citations, but you still need clear attribution when switching entries. For more on MLA in text citations, see https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations/.

Last Updated: 2026-01-01
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