# Dictionary.com API

> Dictionary.com returns English word definitions, pronunciations, origins, synonyms, and antonyms as a workflow and API.

Dictionary.com’s Define word method returns pronunciations, audio, definitions, examples, and word origins for an English word you provide. Its Get synonyms method returns meanings, parts of speech, and ranked synonyms and antonyms for a word you provide.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/dictionary-com
- Handle: `@dictionary-com`
- Category: [Education](https://fous.com/tools/category/education)
- Source website: https://dictionary.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026

## Methods

### Define word

Operation `define_word`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get an English word’s pronunciations, audio, numbered definitions, examples, and origin from Dictionary.com. First recorded use and some pronunciation details may be unavailable for some words.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `word` | string | yes | `"serendipity"` | The English word to define, for example serendipity. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "word"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "word": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The English word to define, for example serendipity.",
      "examples": [
        "serendipity",
        "quixotic",
        "apple"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "word": "serendipity"
    },
    {
      "word": "quixotic"
    },
    {
      "word": "apple"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `word` | string | `"serendipity"` | The headword on the page. |
| `meanings` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].dialect` | string | `"American"` | American or British entry. |
| `meanings[].definitions` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].part_of_speech` | string | `"noun"` |  |
| `page_link` | string | `"https://www.dictionary.com/browse/serendipity"` |  |
| `audio_link` | string or null | `"https://audio.dictionary.com/tts/s/serendipity/serendipity-DyKtdD.mp3"` | Link to the spoken pronunciation. |
| `word_origin` | string or null | `"Serendip + -ity; coined in 1754 by English novelist Horace Walpole ( def. ) for an ability possessed by the heroes of a` | Etymology as plain text. |
| `pronunciation` | object |  |  |
| `pronunciation.ipa` | string or null | `"/ ˌsɛr ənˈdɪp ɪ ti /"` |  |
| `pronunciation.phonetic_spelling` | string or null | `"[ser-uhn-dip-i-tee]"` |  |
| `first_recorded_use` | string or null | `"1805–15"` | First recorded date or period as shown. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "word": "serendipity"
}
```

**Example 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 Lan…",
  "pronunciation": {
    "ipa": "/ ˌsɛr ənˈdɪp ɪ ti /",
    "phonetic_spelling": "[ser-uhn-dip-i-tee]"
  },
  "first_recorded_use": null
}
```

### Get synonyms

Operation `get_synonyms`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get a word’s Thesaurus.com meanings in site order, with part of speech, short meaning, synonyms and antonyms ranked strongest, strong or weak. Public entries only.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `word` | string | yes | `"happy"` | Word to look up, for example "happy". |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "word"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "word": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Word to look up, for example \"happy\".",
      "examples": [
        "happy",
        "run"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "word": "happy"
    },
    {
      "word": "run"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `meanings` | array |  | Meanings in the order shown on Thesaurus.com. |
| `meanings[].meaning` | string | `"in high spirits; delighted"` | Short meaning of the word. |
| `meanings[].antonyms` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].synonyms` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].page_link` | string | `"https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/happy"` | The word’s Thesaurus.com page. |
| `meanings[].part_of_speech` | string | `"adjective"` | Part of speech for this meaning. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "word": "happy"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "meanings": [
    {
      "meaning": "in high spirits; delighted",
      "antonyms": [
        {
          "word": "depressed",
          "strength": "strongest"
        },
        {
          "word": "disappointed",
          "strength": "strongest"
        },
        {
          "word": "disturbed",
          "strength": "strongest"
        }
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "word": "cheerful",
          "strength": "strongest"
        },
        {
          "word": "delighted",
          "strength": "strongest"
        },
        {
          "word": "ecstatic",
          "strength": "strongest"
        }
      ],
      "page_link": "https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/happy",
      "part_of_speech": "adjective"
    },
    {
      "meaning": "favored by fortune",
      "antonyms": [
        {
          "word": "unfortunate",
          "strength": "weak"
        },
        {
          "word": "unlucky",
          "strength": "weak"
        }
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "word": "fortunate",
          "strength": "strongest"
        },
        {
          "word": "lucky",
          "strength": "strongest"
        },
        {
          "word": "apt",
          "strength": "strong"
        }
      ],
      "page_link": "https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/happy",
      "part_of_speech": "adjective"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@dictionary-com",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "define_word",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "word": "serendipity"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@dictionary-com\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"define_word\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"word\": \"serendipity\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@dictionary-com",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "define_word",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "word": "serendipity"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/dictionary-com`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `define_word`: Define word. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `get_synonyms`: Get synonyms. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-dictionary-com https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/dictionary-com --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Check definitions and examples for words in English-language content
- Review pronunciation and audio for an English word
- Explore a word’s origin and first recorded use
- Find ranked synonyms and antonyms for a word
- Group word meanings by part of speech

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this Dictionary.com tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Dictionary.com account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from dictionary.com when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

### What does a word mean?

Use Define word to get its numbered definitions, examples, and part of speech.

### How is a word pronounced?

Use Define word for pronunciation details and available audio.

### What are a word’s synonyms and antonyms?

Use Get synonyms for meanings and ranked synonyms and antonyms.

## Related

- [Merriam-Webster API](https://fous.com/tools/merriam-webster.md): Merriam-Webster provides definitions, pronunciations, examples, word histories, synonyms, antonyms, and related words for publicly listed entries, plus Word of the Day entries for today or published archive dates.
- [Cambridge Dictionary API](https://fous.com/tools/cambridge-dictionary.md): Cambridge Dictionary provides English definitions, examples, grammar labels, and available UK and US pronunciations, plus translations and paired examples for supported languages, reflecting details shown on its pages.
- [Wiktionary API](https://fous.com/tools/wiktionary.md): A free, multilingual dictionary with word meanings and language information.
- [RhymeZone API](https://fous.com/tools/rhymezone.md): RhymeZone finds rhymes, similar-sounding words, and related words, including synonyms, opposites, descriptions, and associations; some results lack relevance scores or syllable and part-of-speech details.
- [Etymonline API](https://fous.com/tools/etymonline.md): Origins and histories of English words from the Online Etymology Dictionary.
- [Urban Dictionary API](https://fous.com/tools/urban-dictionary.md): Urban Dictionary provides crowdsourced slang definitions and examples, plus up to 30 newest Words of the Day with featured dates.
- [WordReference API](https://fous.com/tools/wordreference.md): Dictionary translations and language reference.
- [Investopedia API](https://fous.com/tools/investopedia.md): Financial education, investing explanations, and a finance dictionary.
- [All Education tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/education)