How to Cite a Dictionary Entry in MLA 9 Format

What an MLA dictionary citation does

In MLA 9, a dictionary citation tells readers exactly where you found a definition or entry so they can locate it again. Dictionaries can be tricky because entries often have no listed author, entries can change over time (especially online), and the “title” can refer to both the entry and the dictionary itself. MLA solves this by focusing on two things:

1. The entry title (the word you looked up).
2. The dictionary or reference work that contains it.

Because dictionary definitions can be updated, MLA also often needs an access date for online dictionaries, especially when no clear publication date is provided.

The basic MLA 9 format for a dictionary entry

Print dictionary entry (most common pattern)

Format

“Entry Title.” Dictionary Title, edited by Editor Full Name, Publisher, Year, page number.

What each part means
- “Entry Title.” This is the specific word or phrase you looked up. Put it in quotation marks because it is a short work inside a larger work.
- *Dictionary Title* Italicize the dictionary title because it is a complete work.
- edited by… Include editors if they are listed and relevant on the title page.
- Publisher, Year Use the publisher and publication year of that edition.
- page number Include the page where the entry appears.

Online dictionary entry (most common pattern)

Format

“Entry Title.” Dictionary Title, Publisher (if listed), Day Month Year (if listed), URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Notes
- Many online dictionaries do not clearly list a publication date for each entry. If there is no date, you can omit it and include an Accessed date.
- If the dictionary has a stable “last updated” date for the entry, include it. If it does not, the access date becomes more important.

Author rules, and how they apply to dictionary entries

Your rules about authors are important, but dictionary entries frequently have no author. That is normal. Here is how your author rules connect to dictionary citations:

If an entry has an author (less common, but possible)

Use the author as the first element.

• One author: Invert the name.
• Last, First Middle.
• Two authors: First author inverted, second author normal order, use and.
• Last, First Middle and First Last.
• Three or more authors: First author inverted, then et al.
• Last, First Middle, et al.

If there is no author (very common)

Start with the entry title, not the dictionary title.

This matters because MLA wants the Works Cited list to be easy to scan and alphabetize. Starting with the entry title also helps readers immediately see what word you defined.

Example 1, Online dictionary entry with no author (typical)

Works Cited entry

“Metaphor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphor. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Why it is formatted this way

• No author is listed, so the citation begins with the entry title: “Metaphor.”
• The container is the dictionary site: Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.
• The publisher is included because Merriam-Webster clearly identifies it.
• An Accessed date is included because online dictionary entries can be updated, and readers may see a slightly different version later.

Practical tip

If your instructor prefers you to omit the publisher when it matches the site title, MLA allows flexibility. However, including it is often helpful and is commonly accepted.

Common pitfall

Do not italicize the entry title. Only the dictionary title is italicized.

Example 2, Print dictionary entry with an editor

Works Cited entry

“Oxymoron.” The Oxford English Dictionary, edited by John Simpson and Edmund Weiner, Oxford University Press, 1989, p. 1023.

Why it is formatted this way

• The entry title, “Oxymoron,” is a short piece inside a larger reference work, so it goes in quotation marks.
• The dictionary title is italicized because it is the full book.
• Editors are included because major reference works often emphasize editorial responsibility, and MLA treats editors as important contributors.
• The page number is included because print sources require a location marker.

Practical tip

If the dictionary uses volume numbers, add the volume before the page number if it helps readers locate the entry:
- Example pattern: vol. 2, p. 1023.

Common pitfall

Do not list the city of publication. MLA 9 generally does not require it.

Example 3, Online dictionary entry with an individual author (less common)

Some specialized dictionaries, encyclopedias, or reference databases credit an author for each entry. If an entry has an author, you should use your author rules and place the author first.

Works Cited entry (one author)

Garcia, Elena Maria. “Code-Switching.” Linguistics Reference Library, Language Studies Press, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.languagestudiespress.org/reference/code-switching. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Why it is formatted this way

• The entry has a credited author, so the citation starts with the author.
• The author name uses full first name, and the first author is inverted: Garcia, Elena Maria.
• The entry title is in quotation marks.
• The dictionary or reference site is italicized.
• A publication date is included because it is provided.
• The access date is still useful for online reference content, especially if updates are possible.

Common pitfall

Do not put the author after the title. In MLA, the author goes first when available.

Why these rules matter

They help readers find the exact entry

Dictionary titles repeat across editions and websites. The entry title plus the dictionary title narrows it down quickly.

They make your Works Cited list consistent

MLA is designed for scanning. Inverting the first author’s name supports alphabetical ordering. When there is no author, beginning with the entry title keeps the list organized and predictable.

They protect accuracy when content changes

Online dictionaries update definitions, usage notes, and examples. An access date shows when you consulted the entry, which is essential for transparency.

Practical tips for citing dictionary entries

Use the entry title exactly as it appears

Match capitalization and spelling from the dictionary. If the entry begins with a numeral or includes special characters, keep them as shown.

Keep quotation marks for entries

The entry is a short work. Quotation marks signal that it is contained within a larger work.

Prefer a stable URL

Use the clean URL for the entry page, not a long tracking link. MLA allows you to omit “https://” in some cases, but including it is acceptable and often clearer.

Cite the version you actually used

If you used a specific edition of a print dictionary, cite that edition. If you used an online dictionary, cite the website entry.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Starting with the dictionary title when there is no author

In MLA, start with the entry title when no author is listed. This is one of the most frequent mistakes.

Treating a dictionary like a normal website page

A dictionary entry is not just a web page. It is a short reference entry inside a larger reference work, so the entry title belongs in quotation marks.

Forgetting access dates for online dictionaries

When no publication date is provided, an access date is especially important. It shows when you viewed the definition.

Using initials for authors

Your rule requires full first names, not initials. If an entry author is listed as initials on the site, check an author bio page or the publication’s contributor page for the full name. If you cannot find it, you may need to use what is provided, but your stated rule expects full names whenever possible.

Quick checklist

• Entry title in quotation marks.
• Dictionary title in italics.
• Author first if one is credited, using full first name and correct inversion rules.
• Publisher included if relevant and available.
• Date included if provided.
• URL for online entries.
• Access date for online entries, especially when no date is provided.

If you tell me which dictionary you are using and whether it is print or online, I can format 2 to 3 citations for your specific entries in correct MLA 9 style following your author rules.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Dictionary Citation Mla Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

What makes dictionary citations “special” in MLA 9

Dictionary entries look simple, but they create frequent edge cases because you are often citing a small part of a larger reference work. MLA 9 treats the dictionary as a container, and the entry as the specific item you used. The tricky parts usually involve authorship (often missing), versions (print versus online), and how to handle stable identifiers like entry IDs, DOIs, or permalinks.

In MLA 9, your goal is to help readers find the exact entry you used, in the exact version you consulted. That is why details like the entry title, edition, publisher, URL, and access date sometimes matter more than they do for a book or article.

Core pattern for a dictionary entry (what you build from)

A typical Works Cited entry for a dictionary entry is built like this:

Entry Title. Dictionary Title, edited by Editor Name(s), edition (if given), Publisher, Year. URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Not every element appears every time. MLA is flexible, but it is not random. You include what helps identification and retrieval.

Special cases and edge cases you will see often

1) No author for the entry (most common)

Many dictionary entries do not name an author. In MLA 9, if there is no author, you start with the title of the entry in quotation marks. This is a key edge case because students often start with the dictionary title instead, which makes it harder to locate the entry quickly in an alphabetical Works Cited list.

Why it matters: Works Cited entries are alphabetized by the first element. If you begin with the dictionary title when there is no author, your entry is filed under the dictionary, not under the word you actually looked up. Starting with the entry title makes your Works Cited easier to scan and matches how readers search.

Tip: Put the entry title in quotation marks. Italicize the dictionary title.

2) When the entry has an author (less common, but important)

Some specialized dictionaries and encyclopedic dictionaries credit individual entries. If the entry has an author, that author becomes the first element.

Apply your rules carefully:

• Use the author’s full first name, not initials.
• Invert the first author’s name, Last, First Middle.
• For two authors, use “and,” and do not invert the second author.
• For three or more authors, list the first author (inverted) followed by “et al.”

Why it matters: You are crediting the person responsible for the entry’s content, not just the dictionary as a whole. This improves accuracy and avoids misattributing scholarship to an editor or institution.

Common pitfall: Listing editors as authors. Editors belong after the dictionary title, introduced by “edited by,” unless the dictionary explicitly presents them as the author of the entry itself.

3) Corporate authorship (rare for entries, common for whole dictionaries)

Sometimes a dictionary is presented as created by an organization, and the entry still has no individual author. You usually still begin with the entry title, not the organization, because the entry itself is the item you used.

Use the organization as the author only if it is clearly the author of the entry or the whole work is being cited rather than a specific entry.

Tip: If you are citing the dictionary as a whole (for example, discussing the dictionary’s methodology), then the organization can lead. If you are citing a single definition, lead with the entry title.

4) Print dictionary entries (page numbers, edition details)

Print dictionaries often require:

• Edition number (if not the first).
• Page number(s) for the entry.

MLA 9 does not require a city of publication. Also, do not force “n.d.” if you cannot find a date. For print dictionaries, the year is usually present. If it is missing, omit it.

Why it matters: Print sources are located by edition and page. Without those, a reader may not find the same entry, especially if definitions change across editions.

Common pitfall: Using a URL for a print dictionary because you found the citation online. Cite the format you actually used.

5) Online dictionary entries (URLs, permalinks, and access dates)

Online entries change. Many dictionaries update definitions without changing the visible date. For online dictionary entries, include:

• The URL (prefer a permalink or stable URL if available).
• An access date when the content is likely to change or when no clear publication date is provided.

Why it matters: The access date tells readers when you saw that version. This is especially important for evolving entries, new words, and usage notes that may be revised.

Practical tip: If the site provides a “Cite” tool, use it as a starting point only. Then correct capitalization, italics, quotation marks, and name formatting to match MLA 9.

6) “Updated” dates, revision dates, and missing dates

Online dictionaries may show “Last updated” dates, a year, or no date at all.

• If a date is shown for the entry, include it.
• If no date is shown, omit the date and include an access date.

Avoid “n.d.” MLA 9 does not require it.

Common pitfall: Using the copyright year from the website footer as the entry date. That footer year usually applies to the site as a whole, not the specific entry.

7) Multiple definitions, sense numbers, and quoting part of an entry

Sometimes you need to cite a specific numbered sense, like definition 2a, or a usage note.

MLA 9 does not require you to specify “sense 2a” in the Works Cited entry, but you can clarify in your in-text citation or in your prose. If the dictionary provides a stable entry section link or anchor, you can use it, but it is optional.

Tip: If you quote a specific sense, make sure your quoted wording matches that sense exactly. If you paraphrase, still cite the entry.

8) Entry IDs, DOIs, or database-style records

Some academic dictionaries are hosted on platforms that provide entry IDs, DOIs, or database record numbers. If a DOI is available, include it. If not, use a stable URL. If both exist, MLA generally prefers the DOI because it is designed to be persistent.

Why it matters: Academic reference works can move between platforms. A DOI or stable identifier keeps your citation findable.

9) Alphabetization edge case, titles beginning with articles

If your Works Cited entry begins with the entry title and the entry title begins with “A,” “An,” or “The,” ignore that article for alphabetization, but keep it in the citation.

This is mostly relevant when the entry itself is a phrase like “The Hague.”

Examples with correct MLA 9 formatting and explanations

Example 1, Online dictionary entry with no author and no clear date

Works Cited:

“Climate anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climate%20anxiety. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Why this is correct:
- No author is listed for the entry, so the entry title comes first in quotation marks.
- The dictionary title is italicized because it is the container.
- The publisher is included as Merriam-Webster.
- There is no specific publication date for the entry, so the access date is included to show when you consulted it.
- The URL points directly to the entry, which helps readers locate it quickly.

Common pitfall to avoid: Starting with Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary instead of the entry title. That would bury the citation under “M” rather than under “C.”

Example 2, Print dictionary entry with edition and page number

Works Cited:

“Diaspora.” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th ed., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011, p. 509.

Why this is correct:
- The entry has no author, so it begins with the entry title in quotation marks.
- The dictionary title is italicized.
- The edition is included because print dictionaries often have multiple editions with different wording.
- The publisher and year are included.
- The page number is included because that is how a reader finds the entry in print.

Practical tip: If the entry spans more than one page, use “pp.” and the page range.

Example 3, Entry with a credited author (showing name rules)

Works Cited:

Smith, Jordan Lee. “Code-switching.” Dictionary of Sociolinguistics, edited by Maria Elena Torres and David Andrew Nguyen, 2nd ed., Academic Press, 2023, pp. 112-13.

Why this is correct:
- The entry has an author, so the citation begins with the author’s name.
- The author’s name is inverted, Smith, Jordan Lee, and uses a full first name, not initials.
- The entry title is in quotation marks.
- The dictionary title is italicized.
- Editors follow the dictionary title and are introduced with “edited by.”
- The edition is included, then publisher, year, and page range.

Common pitfall to avoid: Inverting the second editor’s name in the “edited by” field. In MLA, editor names after “edited by” are typically written in normal order unless they are placed in the author position. Also, do not replace full first names with initials.

Practical tips and common pitfalls checklist

Practical tips

• Cite the entry, not just the dictionary, unless your discussion is about the dictionary as a whole.
• Prefer permalinks, stable URLs, or DOIs when available.
• Use access dates for online entries that change or that lack a clear publication date.
• Keep formatting consistent, entry title in quotation marks, dictionary title in italics.

Common pitfalls

• Treating editors as authors when the entry has no author.
• Using initials instead of full first names when an author is credited.
• Omitting edition and page number for print dictionaries.
• Using a website footer year as the entry’s publication date.
• Alphabetizing under the dictionary title when the entry has no author.

Why these rules matter

Dictionary citations are often used to support precise claims about meaning, usage, or connotation. Small differences in wording can change an argument. MLA 9’s approach, citing the entry as the item and the dictionary as the container, helps your reader locate the exact definition you used and evaluate your evidence. Clear authorship rules also ensure that credit goes to the correct contributor when entries are signed, and that your Works Cited list remains easy to navigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a dictionary definition in MLA 9 for a paper?

In MLA 9, a dictionary entry is usually cited like a work in a reference book. In your Works Cited, start with the entry word in quotation marks, then the dictionary title in italics, the edition if given, the publisher, the year (or the most recent update date for online entries), and the URL if you used a website. Add an access date only if your instructor requires it or the content is likely to change. Example scenario, you define “hegemony” using an online dictionary entry. Your in text citation typically uses the entry word, for example: (“Hegemony”). If you name the dictionary in the sentence, you can omit it from parentheses. For official guidance and examples, see MLA Dictionary Entries: https://style.mla.org/citing-dictionary-entries/ and the MLA Works Cited basics: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

How do I cite an online dictionary entry in MLA, and do I need a URL and access date?

For an online dictionary entry, include the URL in the Works Cited because it helps readers locate the exact page. MLA generally does not require an access date, but it is recommended when the entry is likely to change over time or when no publication or update date is provided. Practical scenario, you cite a Merriam Webster entry that shows no clear date, or you suspect the definition could be revised. In that case, add “Accessed Day Month Year” at the end. Your citation will usually look like: “Entry Word.” Dictionary Title, Publisher (if listed), Date, URL. Accessed Date. In text, cite the entry word in quotation marks, for example: (“Semantic”). For more detail on URLs, access dates, and online containers, see https://style.mla.org/urls/ and https://style.mla.org/access-dates/.

What do I put in the in-text citation for a dictionary definition, and do I use page numbers?

In text citations for dictionary entries usually do not use page numbers unless you consulted a print dictionary and you are quoting from a specific page that is stable and useful for readers. More often, you cite the entry word in quotation marks, for example: (“Diaspora”). If you are citing multiple definitions or a specific numbered sense, you can clarify in your sentence, for example, “I use sense 2 of the Oxford English Dictionary definition of ‘diaspora’.” If you use a print dictionary and page numbers are available, you may include them, but MLA style often works well without them because entries are organized alphabetically. Practical scenario, you quote a short definition from a print dictionary for a timed in class essay. You can cite (“Diaspora” 412) if your instructor expects page numbers. See MLA in text citation guidance: https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations/.

How do I cite the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in MLA when it lists editors and has frequent updates?

For the OED, treat the entry as a work in an online reference source. In Works Cited, begin with the entry word in quotation marks, then Oxford English Dictionary in italics, the publisher (Oxford University Press), the date of the entry or last update if provided, and the URL. Because OED entries are updated, an access date can be helpful, especially if you are relying on a specific wording or historical note. Practical scenario, you cite the etymology section and a definition that might change. Add an access date to document what you saw. In text, cite the entry word, for example: (“Sustainability”). If you cite multiple OED entries, keep your Works Cited entries distinct by using the different headwords. For MLA’s dictionary entry guidance, see https://style.mla.org/citing-dictionary-entries/.

How do I cite a dictionary entry with no author, and what if the entry word is the same as my paper title?

Most dictionary entries do not have an author, so MLA style starts the Works Cited entry with the headword, which is the term being defined. Put the headword in quotation marks, then list the dictionary title in italics and the rest of the publication details. In text, you also cite the headword, for example: (“Metaphor”). Practical scenario, your essay is titled “Metaphor in Political Speech,” and you also cite the dictionary entry “metaphor.” That is fine, because the in text citation points to the Works Cited entry, not to your title. If you cite two different dictionaries for the same headword, distinguish them in your Works Cited by listing each dictionary separately. In text, you can name the dictionary in the sentence to make it clear which one you mean. More help: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

How do I cite a specialized dictionary or glossary entry, like a medical or legal dictionary, in MLA?

Specialized dictionaries and glossaries are cited similarly to general dictionaries, but you should include details that help readers identify the source type and version. In Works Cited, start with the entry term in quotation marks, then the specialized dictionary title in italics, edition or version if listed, publisher, date, and the URL for online sources. Practical scenario, you define “proximate cause” using an online legal dictionary for a criminal justice paper. Your Works Cited might include the version number and an access date if the site updates frequently. In text, cite the entry term, for example: (“Proximate Cause”). If the glossary is part of a larger website or database, treat it as a container and include the site name and URL. For MLA container and reference work guidance, see https://style.mla.org/containers/ and https://style.mla.org/citing-dictionary-entries/.

Last Updated: 2025-12-31
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