# Dictionary.com API: Define word > Looks up an English word on Dictionary.com and returns its pronunciation, audio link, numbered definitions per dialect with examples, word origin and first recorded use. Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Dictionary.com. - Page: https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.com/define-word - Method: `dictionary.com/define_word`, version 1 - Website: dictionary.com - Returns: word, pronunciation, audio link, meanings with definitions and examples, word origin, first recorded use, page link - Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing) - Sign-in: none needed - Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free - Verified: Nov 2, 2026 ## Inputs | Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description | |---|---|---|---|---| | `word` | string | yes | `"serendipity"` | The English word to define, for example serendipity. | ## Output From a run on Oct 23, 2026. Its input: ```json { "word": "serendipity" } ``` Its output: ```json { "word": "serendipity", "meanings": [ { "dialect": "American", "definitions": [ { "number": 1, "definition": "an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.", "example_sentences": [] }, { "number": 2, "definition": "accidental discovery, or an instance of this.", "example_sentences": [ "Alton’s premiere novel was a serendipity that affected my thinking in the most positive way." ] }, { "number": 3, "definition": "good fortune; luck.", "example_sentences": [ "What serendipity—she got the first job she applied for!" ] } ], "part_of_speech": "noun" }, { "dialect": "British", "definitions": [ { "number": 1, "definition": "the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident", "example_sentences": [] } ], "part_of_speech": "noun" } ], "page_link": "https://www.dictionary.com/browse/serendipity", "audio_link": "https://audio.dictionary.com/tts/s/serendipity/serendipity-DyKtdD.mp3", "word_origin": "Serendip + -ity; coined in 1754 by English novelist Horace Walpole ( def. ) for an ability possessed by the heroes of a fairy tale called The Three Princes of Serendip, using a former name for Sri Lanka", "pronunciation": { "ipa": "/ ˌsɛr ənˈdɪp ɪ ti /", "phonetic_spelling": "[ser-uhn-dip-i-tee]" }, "first_recorded_use": null } ``` ## Run it From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output: ```bash curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"method":"dictionary.com/define_word","input":{"word":"serendipity"}}' ``` From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`. ## Ask your agent - What does the word ephemeral mean, and can you give me example sentences using it? - I need the pronunciation and an audio clip for the word quixotic. - Where did the word bureaucracy come from, and when was it first recorded in English? - Give me the numbered definitions of melancholy, with usage examples for each sense. - Look up the word tenacious on dictionary.com and send me its meanings, origin, and a link to the page. ## Input schema ```json { "type": "object", "required": [ "word" ], "properties": { "word": { "type": "string", "description": "The English word to define, for example serendipity." } } } ``` ## Output schema ```json { "type": "object", "required": [ "word", "pronunciation", "audio_link", "meanings", "word_origin", "first_recorded_use", "page_link" ], "properties": { "word": { "type": "string", "description": "The headword on the page." }, "meanings": { "type": "array", "items": { "type": "object", "required": [ "dialect", "part_of_speech", "definitions" ], "properties": { "dialect": { "type": "string", "description": "American or British entry." }, "definitions": { "type": "array", "items": { "type": "object", "required": [ "number", "definition", "example_sentences" ], "properties": { "number": { "type": "integer" }, "definition": { "type": "string" }, "example_sentences": { "type": "array", "items": { "type": "string" } } }, "additionalProperties": false } }, "part_of_speech": { "type": "string" } }, "additionalProperties": false } }, "page_link": { "type": "string" }, "audio_link": { "type": [ "string", "null" ], "description": "Link to the spoken pronunciation." }, "word_origin": { "type": [ "string", "null" ], "description": "Etymology as plain text." }, "pronunciation": { "type": "object", "required": [ "phonetic_spelling", "ipa" ], "properties": { "ipa": { "type": [ "string", "null" ] }, "phonetic_spelling": { "type": [ "string", "null" ] } }, "additionalProperties": false }, "first_recorded_use": { "type": [ "string", "null" ], "description": "First recorded date or period as shown." } }, "additionalProperties": false } ``` ## See more - [Dictionary.com API: Get synonyms](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.com/get-synonyms.md): Gets a word's Thesaurus.com meanings in site order, with part of speech, short meaning, synonyms and antonyms ranked strongest, strong or weak. - [Merriam-Webster API: Define word](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/define-word.md): Looks up a word or phrase in Merriam-Webster's dictionary and returns its pronunciation, definitions, examples and word history. - [Cambridge University Press API: Define word](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.cambridge.org/define-word.md): Looks up a word or phrase on Cambridge Dictionary and returns its ordered meanings, example sentences, grammar labels and UK and US pronunciations. - [Merriam-Webster API: Get synonyms](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/get-synonyms.md): Looks up a word on its public Merriam-Webster thesaurus page and returns each meaning with its example, synonyms, antonyms and related words. - [Etymonline API: Get word origin](https://fous.com/methods/etymonline.com/get-word-origin.md): Looks up an English word on Etymonline and returns its origin entries, one per part of speech, with the first date mentioned and cross-referenced words. - [Merriam-Webster API: Get Merriam-Webster Word of the Day](https://fous.com/methods/merriam-webster.com/get-word-of-the-day.md): Gets Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for today or a past archive date, with its meaning, example, pronunciation and background note. Dates without a published entry are unavailable. - [WordReference API: Translate word](https://fous.com/methods/wordreference.com/translate-word.md): Translates a word or phrase between languages using WordReference, including usage notes, example sentences and compound forms when shown. Only language pairs listed by WordReference are available. - [Investopedia API: Define finance term](https://fous.com/methods/investopedia.com/define-term.md): Explains a finance, business, or investing term using its Investopedia dictionary article. - [All Dictionary.com methods](https://fous.com/methods/dictionary.com.md)