Dictionary – Merriam-Webster is — shocker — an online dictionary. It has an intuitive interface, and concise entries include pronunciation with a “say it” button, part of speech, multiple definitions, origin, first use, synonyms for a range of disciplines, and geographical, biographical, historical, and scientific terms.
The bottom of the main page offers Dictionary, Recent, Favorites, Daily, and More buttons. You can search by tapping the microphone icon and saying a word, or by tapping the magnifying glass to type. Recent keeps track of your search history, and a star at the top of each entry lets you add words to a favorites list. The Daily button gives a word of the day with usage examples and a “Did you know?” section that has dry, factual information rather than engaging and thoughtful analysis. The More button allows users to give feedback, rate the app, post a word to Facebook or Twitter, or send a word in an email.
It’s a dictionary. You can use it to look up words, or to teach learners how to look up words. But there are no games or pictures.
Entries are a tad more accessible for younger learners, with a larger and bolder font and less content than Dictionary.com. Unfortunately, there are no built-in games, no illustrations (except in the premium version), only rarely links within entries, and none of the front matter found in the traditional book format to help learners learn how to read entries.
Unlike Dictionary.com, Dictionary – Merriam-Webster’s voice recognition offers alternatives, though they’re sometimes absurd, like single letters or words or phrases with no entry. Unfortunately, the voice-recognition feature seems to foul up data connections (which it relies on for matches), can hang up searches, and sometimes goes down entirely.
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Overall User Consensus About the App
Student Engagement
Dictionary – Merriam-Webster is a reference tool with little in the way of built-in engagement. You get no pictures (although the premium version has pictures) and few links within entries.
Curriculum and Instruction
Some customization and continuity but no information on how to read entries. No dictionary-based games.
Customer Report
The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. There are no extensions or links to www.m-w.com, and voice recognition is inconsistent.
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