# Cambridge Dictionary API

> Cambridge Dictionary returns word definitions, translations, examples, and pronunciations as a workflow and API.

Define word takes a word or phrase and returns meanings, examples, grammar labels, and available UK and US pronunciations. Translate word takes a word and target language, with an optional source language, returning meanings, translations, and available paired examples.

- Page: https://fous.com/workflows/cambridge-dictionary
- Handle: `@cambridge-dictionary`
- Category: [Education](https://fous.com/workflows/category/education)
- Source website: https://dictionary.cambridge.org
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026
- Fous is not affiliated with Cambridge Dictionary.

## Methods

### Define word

Operation `define_word`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Get ordered meanings, examples, grammar labels, and available UK and US pronunciations for a word or phrase. Details not shown on Cambridge Dictionary are returned as null.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `word` | string | yes | `"take over"` | Word or phrase to define, for example "take over". |
| `dictionary` | string | no | `"british"` | Choose British or American dictionary entries, for example "american". |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "word"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "word": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Word or phrase to define, for example \"take over\".",
      "examples": [
        "take over",
        "resilient",
        "plant"
      ]
    },
    "dictionary": {
      "enum": [
        "british",
        "american"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "british",
      "description": "Choose British or American dictionary entries, for example \"american\".",
      "examples": [
        "british",
        "american"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "word": "take over",
      "dictionary": "british"
    },
    {
      "word": "resilient"
    },
    {
      "word": "plant",
      "dictionary": "american"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `headword` | string | `"take (something) over"` |  |
| `meanings` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].examples` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].definition` | string | `"to start doing a job or being responsible for something that another person did or had responsibility for before:"` |  |
| `meanings[].guide_word` | string or null | `"START DOING"` |  |
| `meanings[].english_level` | string or null | `"B2"` |  |
| `meanings[].grammar_labels` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].part_of_speech` | string or null | `"phrasal verb"` |  |
| `page_link` | string | `"https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/take-over"` |  |
| `uk_pronunciation` | object |  |  |
| `uk_pronunciation.ipa` | string or null | `"teɪk"` | Phonetic spelling in IPA, if shown. |
| `uk_pronunciation.audio_link` | string or null | `"https://dictionary.cambridge.org/media/english/uk_pron/u/ukt/uktaj/uktajik002.mp3"` | Link to the MP3 pronunciation, if shown. |
| `us_pronunciation` | object |  |  |
| `us_pronunciation.ipa` | string or null | `"teɪk"` | Phonetic spelling in IPA, if shown. |
| `us_pronunciation.audio_link` | string or null | `"https://dictionary.cambridge.org/media/english/us_pron/t/tak/take_/take.mp3"` | Link to the MP3 pronunciation, if shown. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "word": "take over",
  "dictionary": "british"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "headword": "take (something) over",
  "meanings": [
    {
      "examples": [
        "He took over from the previous headmaster in February.",
        "She took over as manager two weeks ago.",
        "Jason Lamb has taken over responsibility for this project."
      ],
      "definition": "to start doing a job or being responsible for something that another person did or had responsibility for before:",
      "guide_word": "START DOING",
      "english_level": "B2",
      "grammar_labels": [],
      "part_of_speech": "phrasal verb"
    },
    {
      "examples": [
        "The company he works for has recently been taken over."
      ],
      "definition": "to get control of a company by buying enough of the shares in it:",
      "guide_word": "GET CONTROL",
      "english_level": null,
      "grammar_labels": [],
      "part_of_speech": "phrasal verb"
    },
    {
      "examples": [
        "It's only a matter of time before they take over completely."
      ],
      "definition": "to become more successful or powerful than something or someone else that is involved in the same type of activity:",
      "guide_word": "BECOME MORE POWERFUL",
      "english_level": "C2",
      "grammar_labels": [],
      "part_of_speech": "phrasal verb"
    }
  ],
  "page_link": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/take-over",
  "uk_pronunciation": {
    "ipa": "teɪk",
    "audio_link": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/media/english/uk_pron/u/ukt/uktaj/uktajik002.mp3"
  },
  "us_pronunciation": {
    "ipa": "teɪk",
    "audio_link": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/media/english/us_pron/t/tak/take_/take.mp3"
  }
}
```

### Translate word

Operation `translate_word`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Translate a word between English and a Cambridge-supported language, with meanings, translations and available paired examples. Some examples have no translation on the source page.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `word` | string | yes | `"casa"` | Word to translate, for example house. |
| `to_language` | string | yes | `"English"` | Target language name, for example Spanish. |
| `from_language` | string | no | `"Spanish"` | Source language name, for example French. Defaults to English. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "word",
    "to_language"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "word": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Word to translate, for example house.",
      "examples": [
        "casa",
        "house"
      ]
    },
    "to_language": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Target language name, for example Spanish.",
      "examples": [
        "English",
        "Spanish",
        "Arabic"
      ]
    },
    "from_language": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "English",
      "description": "Source language name, for example French. Defaults to English.",
      "examples": [
        "Spanish"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "word": "casa",
      "to_language": "English",
      "from_language": "Spanish"
    },
    {
      "word": "house",
      "to_language": "Spanish"
    },
    {
      "word": "house",
      "to_language": "Arabic"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `word` | string | `"casa"` | The word searched. |
| `meanings` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].examples` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].translations` | array |  |  |
| `meanings[].english_guide` | string or null | `"house"` |  |
| `meanings[].part_of_speech` | string or null | `"noun"` |  |
| `page_link` | string | `"https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/spanish-english/casa"` |  |
| `to_language` | string | `"English"` |  |
| `from_language` | string | `"Spanish"` |  |
| `language_pair` | string | `"Spanish–English"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "word": "casa",
  "to_language": "English",
  "from_language": "Spanish"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "word": "casa",
  "meanings": [
    {
      "examples": [
        {
          "original": "casa de familia",
          "translated": "family home"
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        "house",
        "home"
      ],
      "english_guide": "house",
      "part_of_speech": "noun"
    },
    {
      "examples": [
        {
          "original": "Entró como Pedro por su casa.",
          "translated": "He walked in like he owned the place."
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        "like one owned the place"
      ],
      "english_guide": "like one owned the place",
      "part_of_speech": "noun"
    },
    {
      "examples": [
        {
          "original": "En su cumpleaños tiró la casa por la ventana .",
          "translated": "He splashed out on his birthday."
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        "to splash out"
      ],
      "english_guide": "to splash out",
      "part_of_speech": "noun"
    }
  ],
  "page_link": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/spanish-english/casa",
  "to_language": "English",
  "from_language": "Spanish",
  "language_pair": "Spanish–English"
}
```

## Quick start

Call the API with a Fous API key (`FOUS_API_KEY`). To create one, turn on Developer mode in Fous Studio, then open Keys & connections → API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys).

```bash
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
: "${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example}"

curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 120 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@cambridge-dictionary",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "define_word",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "word": "take over",
    "dictionary": "british"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
import json
import os
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = os.environ.get("FOUS_API_KEY")
if not api_key:
    raise RuntimeError("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example")

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@cambridge-dictionary\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"define_word\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"word\": \"take over\",\n    \"dictionary\": \"british\"\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=120) 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.
// First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
const apiKey = process.env.FOUS_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) throw new Error("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example");

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(120_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@cambridge-dictionary",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "define_word",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "word": "take over",
    "dictionary": "british"
  },
  "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);
```

Or describe the data in plain language: send `{"api":"@cambridge-dictionary","prompt":"Describe the data you need, with every detail"}` to the same URL. Fous fills in the input, runs the method that fits and returns only the fields you asked for; `data.route.calls[].request` is the exact call it made. Routing is free; the run costs the same.

## Use cases

- Compare British and American word meanings
- Find example sentences for vocabulary lessons
- Check grammar labels and parts of speech
- Review UK and US pronunciation guides
- Translate vocabulary between English and supported languages

## FAQ

### Is Fous affiliated with Cambridge Dictionary?

No. Fous is not affiliated with Cambridge Dictionary. This workflow reads the public dictionary.cambridge.org website and returns its data.

### How much does it cost?

Each run costs 1 credit. With pay-as-you-go, a credit costs 1¢; monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Cambridge Dictionary account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from dictionary.cambridge.org when you run it; repeating the same request within a day may return the saved result. Fous checks this workflow automatically; it last passed a check on Sep 29, 2026.

### What does a word or phrase mean?

Define word returns ordered meanings, definitions, examples, and grammar labels for the supplied word or phrase.

### How is a word pronounced in the UK or US?

Define word returns available UK and US pronunciations, including phonetic spelling and audio links when shown.

### How do I translate a word into another language?

Translate word returns meanings, translations, and available paired examples for the supplied word and target language.

## Related

- [Dictionary.com API](https://fous.com/workflows/dictionary-com.md): Dictionary.com provides definitions, pronunciations, audio, examples, and word origins, plus ranked synonyms and antonyms for public Thesaurus.com entries; some word details may be unavailable.
- [Merriam-Webster API](https://fous.com/workflows/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.
- [Wiktionary API](https://fous.com/workflows/wiktionary.md): A free, multilingual dictionary with word meanings and language information.
- [WordReference API](https://fous.com/workflows/wordreference.md): Dictionary translations and language reference.
- [Urban Dictionary API](https://fous.com/workflows/urban-dictionary.md): Urban Dictionary provides crowdsourced slang definitions and examples, plus up to 30 newest Words of the Day with featured dates.
- [Etymonline API](https://fous.com/workflows/etymonline.md): Origins and histories of English words from the Online Etymology Dictionary.
- [Investopedia API](https://fous.com/workflows/investopedia.md): Financial education, investing explanations, and a finance dictionary.
- [Google Translate API](https://fous.com/workflows/google-translate.md): Translate text between languages, with pronunciation and dictionary alternatives when available.
- [All Education workflows](https://fous.com/workflows/category/education)