How To Search Words & Navigate Between Dictionary.com Definitions & Thesaurus.com Synonyms (and Antonyms)
Search - finding a Dictionary or Thesaurus entry:
Type your word into the search box at the top of either the Dictionary.com or Thesaurus.com homepage. The search result box will show entries across both Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com (where such entries exists).
- The "Definitions" listing(s) will take you to that word's Dictionary entry
- The "Synonyms" listing(s) will take you to that word's Thesaurus entry
- Looking for antonyms? If any antonyms exist in our corpus for the word you searched they would be listed on the same "Synonyms" entry. Click on the "Synonyms" Thesaurus link in the search results. Then scroll down to see whether any antonyms are listed on that particular Thesaurus entry. Both synonyms and antonyms are listed on same Thesaurus page (not a separate page), if we have such content in our corpus. Some terms do not have antonyms listed in our corpus.
Other Search Results- Supplementary & Editorial Content:
In addition to any Dictionary and/or Thesaurus entries for the specific word you searched, some search results may also show related or near words (as in the above screenshot which surfaced entries for "light" as well as near words such as "lights," "lighten," "lighter" etc.), and may occasionally also show related editorial content.
- The "Definitions" result will take one to the Dictionary entry for "prognosis"
- The "Synonyms" will take one to the Thesaurus entry for "prognosis"
- The third result under "Featured content" is an Editorial article one can click on to read our article on "Prognosis vs. Diagnosis"
Don't see a Dictionary.com or Thesaurus.com result for what you searched?
- If you search a term and only see a search suggestion entry for one (but not both) of those two sites listed, you can assume the term is not currently found in the corpus for the site that is not listed.
- For example, this search (screenshot below) shows a search for "antidisestablishmentarianism" when on Thesaurus.com:
- This search result (above) shows that there is no such entry on Thesaurus.com (we don't have synonyms or antonyms for this term in our Thesaurus database at this time). As such, no "Synonym" (thesaurus) column or results appear here.
- But we do have an entry for this term on Dictionary.com, so the search displays the "Definitions" page in the search results. There is also some additional editorial content available, and that is listed under the "Featured content" section of that search results
- As always, tapping Enter or Return will take one to the top search suggestion result (if one is listed). In this above scenario, if one were to still tap enter/return on this search they will not be taken to a Thesaurus entry (as none exist for this term). In this case you would be taken to the top result, which is the Dictionary entry for "antidisestablishmentarianism."
- If you don't see any Dictionary or Thesaurus search results displayed when you search a term, this either means:
- the term you searched is not currently listed in either of our corpora
- It may also be possible that you have made a typographical error in your search query in a way which our system cannot match to an entry that is in our system.
All of the above is also true on Thesaurus.com. The only difference there that one should note on Thesaurus.com is that there the search results box will surface Thesaurus entries (if available) at the top of the list (on the left side), instead of the Dictionary entry. But you can search across both sites with ease!
Already on an entry and want to move to the same entry on the opposite site?
On a Dictionary.com word entry:
If the term you are on is also found in our Thesaurus corpus, you'll be able to easily click on a link to be taken to that word's entry on Thesaurus.com. To orient you on a Dictionary page, see this portion of the page we've boxed in purple:
If you don't see one (or multiple) words linked on the page in this way, the term may not yet be listed in our Thesaurus corpus. For example, at the time this articles was written, the entry for crème doesn't contain this kind of link as crème is not currently found in our Thesaurus.
On a Thesaurus.com entry:
If the term exists in our Dictionary corpus, you'll see a linked phrase "View definition for ___" Click on that link to be taken to the same word's entry on Dictionary.com. That link is highlighted in purple here, to orient you on the screen:
If no link of this kind is listed on the Thesaurus entry you are on, you can assume the term is not currently found on Dictionary.com.
Navigation links at the top of Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com:
The Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com links in the top navigation (boxed here in purple to orient you on the page) take you to the Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com homepages.
Menu Items:
Across the top of the page you'll also see options for menus to our Editorial content & the Account icon.
- Games: Your portal to word play!
- Hover on the "Games" menu for links to play our Daily Crossword Puzzle, Word Puzzle, Word Finder, and "All games"
- Click on the "Games" menu as a button to be taken to our full games page. There you'll see all the available games including Hurdle, Outspell, Word Wipe, and much more.
- Dictionary.com quizzes are also found here.
- You can also find solutions to your word-game woes with our Wordle Solver, Crossword Solver, and others.
- Featured: Quick links to our featured editorial content and some much-loved staples, including:
- Pop culture: Our fantastic editorial content and supplementary dictionaries, such as Slang Dictionary, Emoji Dictionary, Memes, Acronyms, Gender & Sexuality Dictionary, and All pop culture
- Writing Tips:
- Elevate your writing with Grammar Coach!
- Access our Writing hub for inspiration and tips.
- Brush up on English Grammar.
- Learn and iron out those Common confusables.
- Check out All writing tips
- The Dictionary.com | Thesaurus.com account icon
- Click the account icon to create a new Dictionary.com | Thesaurus.com account.
- This is also where you'll sign in or sign out of an existing account.
- And, when logged in, how you'll navigate to your account menu to access items like your Word Lists or manage your account settings.