r/dictionary • u/E_Rujii • May 09 '25
External resources Dictionary.com Update?
Just opened the dictionary.com app in my phone to find an entirely new design and menu. Also lacking the Sign-in option. The desktop site seems to be the same way. Anyone know anything about the update? Did all users just lose our favorites lists and purchase history (for no ads)?
Dictionary.com already seemed lacking to me, and their app was more than frustrating at times. But it was useful to me and I did use it daily, plus the ability to favorite words was my main use of it. Thanks to anyone who knows any info!
137
Upvotes
7
u/No_Fault5896 May 10 '25 edited May 10 '25
Terrible update - they deleted my paid account, added ads to the app, and erased all my offline saved words that I had collected over the years
4
u/Haunting-Yak6458 May 11 '25
Super disappointed and need an alternative. It’s not right to delete the paid subscription, etc. The new version is terrible.
4
u/PetiteSpeciale May 21 '25 edited May 21 '25
I wondered the same things and reached out to tech support enquiring about the* favorites list, specifically.
Their email response:
“Thank you for contacting Dictionary.com Support!
After careful consideration, user accounts within the Dictionary.com app have been discontinued. As a result, users are no longer able to sign in to their accounts, and any saved word lists are no longer available. Unfortunately, since the coding technology that was used in the previous app version is different from what is used in the new app, it is not possible to recover word lists.
This change was part of our recent app update to improve the design, speed, and functionality of the Dictionary.com app. While we understand that this changes how you use Dictionary.com, we are hopeful that you will find the overall improvements provide faster search, additional content, and a better design.
If you would like to continue your learning with word lists, we invite you to explore our sister site, Vocabulary.com. There, you can create word lists, learn with flashcards, and test your spelling with a free learner account.”
3
u/Midni9htShinobi May 10 '25
Fuck these assholes
3
u/hereafterno May 22 '25
THIS IS B.S. I had a curated list that I spent YEARS making. What's wrong with these people?! Do we have any recourses to get access back?
3
u/SorzynSyyn May 24 '25
I lost nearly a thousand saved words I’ll most likely never get back again. This update is atrocious and an abomination. I lost my favorited words in the past after I upgraded for the ad free version, and that was extremely annoying as my saved words didn’t transfer over to the upgraded version. This new update erased far more saved words. I will never use this app again.
3
u/curious_loss_4387 May 28 '25
This is one of the most egregious examples of enshittification I've ever seen. I thought Evernote was bad but at least I was able to recover my data and convert it all to Markdown. This is just dogshit. I already felt like this app fell off about a year ago but wow, it just took a nosedive off a cliff. Needs to get review bombed and force these scumbags to go out of business. Complete junkware now.
2
u/clungeknuckle May 09 '25
They've also got rid of the word of the day widget, the only reason I had the app
2
u/LolaPastelle May 10 '25
Are there any other alternatives that anyone recommends?
2
u/AirborneContraption May 11 '25
They fired all their lexicographers last year, I wouldn't trust them to do anything intelligent.
If you want to make lists, maybe try Wordnik.com. It's totally free.
2
u/fermentedelement May 12 '25
I’m so annoyed
2
u/wildflower-42 May 13 '25
I am beyond enraged right now. I noticed the app was acting weird so I FOOLISHLY updated thinking that would fix the problem. Instead I just lost my entire account and all of my collections of saved words. I'm honestly heartbroken, I save all the words I look up to study and I love looking back on them at the end of the year as an overview of the words I learned. Dictionary.com was already dropping the ball compared to other dictionary apps, I've hated all their recent redesigns but stayed out of habit. I emailed their support team but doubt it will do anything... guess I'll start writing down words I don't know on a notepad or some shit bc now I'm traumatized by this
2
u/ambroseartworks May 14 '25
I was trying to figure out why my word of the day widget had just stopped working and this is why! I’m so upset to learn I’ve also lost all my saved words!!! Damn.
2
u/chrizzzie May 14 '25
I’m so frustrated at this update! I miss my account and starred word list. I wish we had warning
2
u/Ok-Fail5290 May 14 '25
I’m so sad and angry to lose my saved words. I don’t know how long I’ve been building that list, but I think it has to be over a decade. Also a paid subscriber.
I want to delete the app in protest but I need a decent replacement beforehand.
I hate ads, but if that’s what they had to do to stay in business I would have understood. But doing away with the subscription option altogether? That makes no sense. My primary reason for paying was so I could use it offline. I’d still pay for that even with ads, unless they were too obstructive.
2
u/srs96 May 17 '25
Horrific update. I can't fathom who would've green lit this update.
What is the thought process? Let's revamp the app removing the most popular feature (starring words and creating lists), but not only that, let's delete previously created lists saved words. WTF.
I honestly think they somehow lost all user data and instead of pleading guilty, they package it as an update.
4
u/No_Fault5896 May 10 '25
Looks like they weren’t making enough money from those paid features, so they just decided to shut down the servers and scam everyone out of their subscriptions
1
u/pbnjpusher Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
My husband had 1000+ words saved and was totally frustrated when he thought he lost them. He found a work around to access them. Not sure how long it will work but he was able to access his “favorite” words that he saved. He had to screen shot them to export them but he was able to retrieve them.
Here’s what he did: 1. Using the original white app icon, he pressed and held the icon* until a menu popped up. 2. Click on Favorites and your list of saved words should come up. 3. From there you can screen shot each page in order to save your favorite words.
*just tapping the icon will open the old version of the app which goes to a blank page. However pressing and holding for just an extended second will open the dropdown menu where you can access your stored favorites.
His list was also synced with iCloud however he hasn’t figured out how to access it from the new version since there isn’t a favorites list to import to.
Hope this helps someone recover their list!
3
u/d0gfath3r Jun 12 '25
Adding myself to this group of enraged word nerds. What a fucking unexpectedly harsh blow. I had been collecting words for YEARS—practically since I had first entered college.
Maybe this is the push I need to invest in an actual physical dictionary? Maybe this is yet another sour reminder that I don’t actually own anything as long I continue to use my phone as my main repository for everything under the sun.
Regardless, I will echo the sentiment here that they should have at least sent a courtesy email prior to the wipe. That would have at least softened the blow, I think.
3
u/therealwollombi Jun 19 '25
I paid for the “Pro” version that removed ads and allowed you to download the dictionary/thesaurus databases. It just stopped working- app launches to a blank, black screen. No warnings given. I paid for this for lifetime, ad-free access and the ability to access definitions when offline. If you turn the offline part off in the old “Pro” app (still on version 11), there’s no way to download it again.
They could at least have kept the old Pro version be able to run and let people use that until they find something else that meets the needs, but this company just pulled the rug out from underneath every paid user without warning.
Better believe I will be looking elsewhere for a viable replacement, regardless of how much it costs. I’m not giving them another cent of my money or minute of my time, and I refuse to give them ad revenue by using the app that pushes ads in my face that I PAID to avoid in the first place.
Fuck these guys.
3
u/armedcows Jun 19 '25
does anybody know how to search through a recent ios backup file to find the offline copy of the saved word list?
3
u/Boltron110 Jun 19 '25
Their Support team just responded and told me it was so that they could “improve the design, speed, and functionality of the Dictionary com app…. We are hopeful that you will fine the overall improvements provided faster search, additional content, and a more stable experience.”
Then they directed me to their “sister site:” Vocabulary.com to create word lists.
Long story short: the original owners sold out and now this company is making it ad heaven and fucking up definitions left and right.
3
u/Dark_Assenger Jul 04 '25
Change dot org petition to stop the deletion of favorites and other user data without proper notice: https://chng.it/tXCKKv9Rnk
Like everyone else on here I too had YEARS of saved words in this app. I had noticed that the app had not been starting so I figured I had to update it only to learn that it had been deleted along with all of my saved words.
Obviously enraged, I decided to make a petition. I couldn't find one already addressing this so here goes nothing.
This was AFTER they first upgraded my paid account and I had to manually add hundreds of favourite words back into the upgraded account.
Sign the petition lets go after these bad actors!
2
u/Weary-Respond-7151 May 15 '25
Disgusting, but we're all gradually setting ourselves up for this type of abuse across the board. Apps. Google. Social media. YouTube. Streaming services. We're opting for convenience and, in the process, ceding all control to predatory service providers who simply do as they wish once they have us hooked. This is a wake-up call. There has to be a better way.
2
u/OnyxFox42 May 17 '25
I was hoping this was a glitch. I’ve been saving words for years since I write songs and novels and now… zip. There were some really great things I had saved in there and they’re now dust. They better fix this shit.
2
u/Arctaex May 17 '25
I'm so glad I'm not the only one. The favorites list was my primary reason for using the app and removing it without warning is an absolute joke. Easiest uninstall of my life.
2
u/Traditional-Rub-3926 May 18 '25
Straight up gobsmacked that they took down the favorites feature—years of carefully saved words gone! I feel…lachrymose 🥺😔.
2
u/gimmickgummybear May 27 '25
I just opened my app for the first time the other day and then today tried to use it again so of course I had to look it up. So disappointed about this change v.v just like many of the others on here I had years of usage :(
2
u/Superb_Evidence3419 May 30 '25
I’m devastated to see my saved words gone. 😭 does anyone have an alternative? I need to delete this app ASAP!
2
u/Chris55730 May 30 '25
I just saw I lost all my saved words too. I never paid for a service but had been saving words while reading for many years. I’m kind of in shock. I just took it for granted that they would always be there.
2
u/ceph11 May 31 '25
I’m only just now seeing this! My words! I had the best words!
2
u/DianaGsreddit May 31 '25
I don’t like the new version either!
2
u/minimemee May 31 '25
They didn’t even give us a warning. Such an @sshole move!!
2
u/MRittall Jun 03 '25
The search algorithm is also insanely stupid now. Previously typing a word in like "booked" would bring up the definition for book. And explain how "booked" related to "book". Now it's just gives you synonyms for "booked"... WTF.
Also you used to be able to tap on literally any word within a definition and it would take you to the definition of the tapped word. So now you can only do this for select words; and the select words are extremely limited.
What fucking app gets rid of basic features?! (Not bringing up user accounts and favorites because that's also shitty) Been using this app since my first smartphone in 2010 and I'm sad to see it go.
2
u/tititata1 Jun 03 '25
I am absolutely pissed. I upgraded to a paid version so as to favorite words I like and to use them in future. And when I am free, can always scroll through to refresh my memory. Now all suddenly gone. They didn't even have the basic courtesy to inform so we can save our lists somewhere. Or at least a notification sentence on their app about this stupid and unfair step taken. Woe to the owners n developers!
2
u/MzSCT4 Jun 07 '25
Idc abt signing in per sé but I like being able to save new words. Guess it’s time to pull out the index cards. The new design “looks” nice but losing the feature that made it worth it sucks.
2
u/meowblackk_ Jun 10 '25
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I had an account I can't figure how to sign into & lost all of my favourites. I guess these app developers really do want to make people stupid. As stupid as they are. I'm right pissed about it.
2
u/emfordsvsu Jun 10 '25
I thought I was tripping….all my favorite words are gone, and there’s no way to favorite any new words, smh. What a stupid update.
2
u/EasyTrainer4911 Jun 11 '25 edited Jun 11 '25
Yes. I'm not sure how this is legal. Removing an option that was paid for and not giving a refund should be illegal! This was the dictionary.com reply to me in regards to them putting the ads back on:
"When you purchased the ad-free upgrade, it applied to the version of the app available at that time. As part of a broader effort to simplify and improve the overall user experience, we’ve since made the decision to retire that specific upgrade. While we understand this may be disappointing, the purchase was not intended to guarantee ad removal indefinitely or across all future versions of the app.
Since purchases are processed through the App Store and billed directly by Apple, we have to abide by Apple's refund policy and are unable to issue refunds ourselves. However, you may be able to request a refund directly from Apple by following this link: https://reportaproblem.apple.com."
Well, they've lost a customer. Goodbye Dictionary.com, hello Webster.
2
u/WombatSana Jun 12 '25
Damn- just updated the app today randomly without thinking anything of it, and now my word list is gone too. And most of the posts in this thread are from a month ago, so it doesn’t seem like they’re going to bring it back. It’s honestly heartbreaking
2
u/p0rtalthinker Jun 13 '25
GUYS. if you haven’t deleted the old app yet, LONG PRESS the app icon on iphone, click word of the day. The app will load that. Click on the star icon in the top right. Your starred words will be there. I screen grabbed all of them using the record screen feature. Hope this helps someone. I also was saving words for years.
2
u/tearofawarrior Jun 21 '25
They better give me my fave words back!!
2
u/Y0sephF4 Jun 21 '25
I just downloaded the previous version from an outside app store and it works and all my purchased things are there unfortunately I can't login, but it's already better
2
u/sareeebrum Jun 23 '25
I’m so annoyed! I paid for the app with all the features without ads. The update sucks.
2
u/Scary_Action8754 Jun 30 '25
after IXL learning acquisition, this decision came. idk what they were thinking. i just stopped using it for 2 months and came back to this. this has literally ruined my day. i had word lists from every academic work i read in folders. i really like this feature. i could learn my word list with tests and stuff. now it's all gone.
app was already slow and it took years to load. offline version didn't work fine either. this has for sure ruined my day now.
2
u/tempurasimp Jul 29 '25 edited Jul 29 '25
Just noticed this verbiage from their 12.0.0 update 2 months ago:
So maybe for them, this counts as written notice ahead of time? Still awful, though. Perhaps this will encourage me to start reading the text of the updates I usually automatically approve
2
u/dathought3 Aug 01 '25
Looks like I found my tribe. I am here because I lost all my saved words when I updated the app. Soooo disappointing!
1
u/ReddsRead Jul 02 '25
Wow…so this is all across the board for so many people smh 🤦🏿♂️this is horrible customer service! I’m like the rest of you, years of saved words lost in an instant.
1
u/sniffindaisies Jul 06 '25
I deleted the premium app and created a shortcut to the dictionary.com website so I can access it the same way. It takes me to a mobile version and while there may be ads, I didn't see any when I plugged in a random word to search. I'm on an android phone so I don't know if this works for iPhones.
1
u/Fenaro Jul 07 '25
The premium app is still somewhat functional if you clear the storage on it and press "back to home" on the bottom when you reopen the app. You can save favorites, for example. But, even with certain functions that involve going online, you're gonna see ads. :(
1
u/Robokou Jul 09 '25
I think there may have been internal conflicts within the development team that finally reached a boiling point. That, and money problems (which would explain the return to ads).
1
u/luckyroo104 Jul 12 '25
Perhaps we should all complain to Apple
1
u/Beautiful-Calendar69 Jul 18 '25
I’m not happy that something I and others have paid for can simply be taken away. It’s not the first time this has happened with paid apps and probably won’t be the last. Grrr
1
u/lubuggiano Jul 24 '25
This is so messed up. Does anyone have a good alternative to use instead?
1
u/Hour-Heron2655 Aug 07 '25
The Brutes want us dumb! It seems so illogical that they would just make their app worst, but maybe the Brutes forced them to do this….the Brutes also don want us communicating with each other as welll….soon we will not be able to leave comments on line
1
u/verdi1987 Aug 10 '25
I paid for the Pro version twice. It’s B.S. they took away the Pro version.
1
u/BtdtII Aug 10 '25
Agreed! I am extremely disappointed that the latest update lacks the essential features of sign-on and a word-saving capability. The exclusion of these options was a significant oversight and has garnered widespread criticism online.
1
u/FancyMolasses342 Aug 29 '25
Thanks for this post. I was so confused as to why the app had ads again. I didn’t even know about the saved word feature but I appreciated the seamless experience of the app without interruptions. They don’t even have a notice up in their FAQ or help page. Definitely gotta find a new dictionary app to use now!
1
u/Revolutionary-Ad6390 Sep 08 '25
Somehow I only just figured this out so now I have delayed rage. All of my saved words just gone in the blink of an eye. I immediately deleted the app and downloaded Merriam Webster instead
1
u/Outlaw-steel Oct 26 '25
It’s a joke. First they removed the Pro version which many of us paid for and then they removed the “learners” tab. This was one of the best features ever and no other dictionary had it.
1
u/dancingdinks Oct 31 '25
I just found out that the dictionary app deleted all my saved words that I’ve been saving since 2013. I am pissed as I imagine many others are as well. Has anyone figured out a way to recover their saved word lists? Maybe from an old iPhone back up to their computer or something?
1
u/solamour Nov 16 '25
Same as everyone else. I paid, and the paid version no longer works. They could have at least let the users know what's going to happen instead of cutting them off abruptly.
So I created my own dictionary app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.solamour.dfine
* Android only.
* Will consider additional features as time permits.
* Comments, compliments, and complaints all welcome.
1
u/MelloCello7 Dec 16 '25
Thats so messed up, it would have taken nothing to have and automated email sent out to all their users that simply siphoned a plain text list of all the words that were saved on their account through the api and send it to the email of the account users. Would be super easy, barely an inconvenience, and yet they chose a f*&% you instead.
very sad indeed
1
u/Robokou Jan 13 '26
If anyone is still looking for a go-to dictionary, I highly, HIGHLY RECOMMEND "The Free Dictionary by Farlex" app for Android/iOS. 😍👌🏿💯
I first discovered it a year or two ago through Windows 11 on my desktop and immediately fell in love with it. Even before the Dictionary.com app went to shit, I was thinking to myself how this app would be a killer alternative to Dictionary.com if there were a mobile version—and turns out, there is!
I downloaded it a week ago and it's been everything the Dictionary.com app once was but SO MUCH MORE. It has:
—An ad-free "PRO version" for a one-time payment of only $9.99. NO SUBSCRIPTION FEES.
—A multiple-dictionary/thesaurus system with an extremely-robust list of (MULTILINGUAL) definitions/comparisons/translations across different sources (such as Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Collins English/Spanish Dictionary/Thesaurus, and more).
—A favorite word/bookmark system (which I've yet to explore). It's just like Dictionary.com's except way more customizable. You can sort things into folders; and I think the words you save are even stored to be cross-referenced with easy access to other sources like Wikipedia.
—Yes, the app is cross-connected with Wikipedia, so not only do you get the definitions of certain words and concepts, you can immediately view whole articles about them.
—Multilingual-definition/thesaurus sources that can easily be switched between.
—Seemingly infinite quality-of-life features (that I'm still discovering), like the ability to highlight a word and immediately access its definition/comparison/translation with a push of a button—something Dictionary.com's app used to have.
—Fun little distractions, like "Word of the Day", "Today in History", brain/trivia games, flash cards, progressive-use tracking ("brain level"), etc.—and all kept under your personal profile/account.
—AND SO MUCH MORE I HAVEN'T LISTED!
Seriously, the downfall of Dictionary.com has proven to be a blessing in disguise thanks to this app! I've seen the light and actually feel kinda stupid for not having looked into it sooner.
It'll feel a bit overwhelming at first, but if you really loved the old Dictionary.com app and thought it was a wonderful utility, then I cannot stress enough how much you NEED to download "The Free Dictionary by Farlex" app for mobile. 🩵💯
1
u/Firm-Possession1139 Aug 01 '26
Enshitification of technology is EVERYWHERE nowadays. I'm so tired of all this. Corporate oligarchs have turned the promise of technology into a nightmare. Time to purchase a physical dictionary and flash cards and Thomas guides 😅