learn English

pronunciations, clear
definitions
, key vocabulary

live English

real examples, usage notes,
integrated thesaurus

love English

submit your own words,
current BuzzWords, blog

The English language is growing, and so is Macmillan Dictionary

We're constantly adding new words to the site. Many of them are appearing in a dictionary for the first time.

Check out this week's new entries retweet and snark.

Word of the Day Word of the Day

corvette

a small fast ship that is used for protecting other ships

Pronunciations

Set your default to American or British English in the options tab.

You can also switch between British English and American English by using the link at the end of each entry.

more about English pronunciation

Red Words and Stars

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing.These words appear in red, and are graded with stars.

more about red words and stars

Clear Definitions

Using a defining vocabulary of just 2,500 words means that users can understand every definition first time, without having to look up other words to help them.

more

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog

RINO

a member of the Republican party whose political views are considered insufficiently conservative

Open Dictionary

Add your word to our record of English as it is used today: enriched by speakers around the world; driven by the speed of technology; powered by the globalization of language.

Gadgets

From a toolbar gadget to double-click functionality for your website, we've got a host of gadgets to choose from.

Social Media

We're all over social media – follow us!

social media

It's 2012 and the What's your English? campaign continues … if you're not part of it yet, this is the place to start.

Free Online ThesaurusThesaurus

Every definition has an accompanying thesaurus entry.

The English language is growing, and so is Macmillan Dictionary

We're constantly adding new words to the site. Many of them are appearing in a dictionary for the first time.

Check out this week's new entries retweet and snark.

Real Examples

Clear and current example sentences mean that the English you read here is the English that is being used today.

example sentences

Usage Notes

Hundreds of usage notes provide helpful guidance on using language in context. Topics covered include Metaphor, Collocations, and How to avoid common errors.

how words are used

About Macmillan English Dictionaries

Buy Dictionary

This free English dictionary online was created by teams of lexicographers who studied real spoken and written text, showing exactly how and when words are used today. Go to options to set the dictionary for British or American English.

Dictionary Games
NEW

Spin the wheel
to test your knowledge
of irregular verb forms.
It's addictive!

Click here to play

Try your luck with the new
Red Words Game
to test your awareness
of word frequency

Click here to play

Language Resources

We asked you the question 'What's your favourite English word?' Listen to some of the answers here.

Watch the 21st Century Flux video
by Dizraeli. Download the lyrics and worksheets for your class.

Watch Canadian rapper and British emcee battle it out about Global English. Download the lyrics and worksheets.

Word of the Day Word of the Day

corvette

a small fast ship that is used for protecting other ships

Pronunciations

Audio recordings of all headwords are available in both British and American accents.

more about English pronunciation

Red Words and Stars

The most common 7,500 words of English are highlighted in red, and are graded with stars to show their frequency. These are the words that all learners need to know.

more about red words and stars

Clear Definitions

Definitions are written in plain English, using a vocabulary of just 2,500 words. This means that learners can be confident that they will understand all definitions first time.

more

macmillandictionaryblog carries some of the best writing on the web about the English language, the way it's changing, and the way it's used across the globe.

What's your English? Do you learn it, live it or love it?

Every week, an in-depth article looks at a new or current word.

RINO

a member of the Republican party whose political views are considered insufficiently conservative

Open Dictionary

You don't have to work at Macmillan to write a dictionary entry. Our Open Dictionary welcomes contributions from lovers of English throughout the world.

Gadgets

From a toolbar gadget to double-click functionality for your website, we've got a host of gadgets to choose from.

get gadgets

Social Media

We're all over social media – follow us!

What's your English?

It's 2012 and the What's your English? campaign continues … if you're not part of it yet, this is the place to start.

Browse the 'What's your English?' 2010 and 2011 archives.

Free Online ThesaurusThesaurus

Every definition has an accompanying thesaurus entry.

The English language is growing, and so is Macmillan Dictionary

We're constantly adding new words to the site. Many of them are appearing in a dictionary for the first time.

Check out this week's new entries retweet and snark.

Real Examples

Sometimes, an example can tell you as much as a definition. Macmillan Dictionary is packed with real examples which show you how the language is really used in the 21st century.

example sentences

Usage Notes

macmillandictionary.com gives you much more than a dictionary: hundreds of notes give guidance on difficult points of English usage, and help you to avoid those typical mistakes that are so easy to make.

how words are used