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

## Methods

### Define word

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

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 call.

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

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": "@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.
# 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\": \"@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=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": "@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);
```

Or describe the data in plain language: send `{"api":"@dictionary-com","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

- 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

### Is Fous affiliated with Dictionary.com?

No. Fous is not affiliated with Dictionary.com. This workflow reads the public dictionary.com 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 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; 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 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/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.
- [Cambridge Dictionary API](https://fous.com/workflows/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/workflows/wiktionary.md): A free, multilingual dictionary with word meanings and language information.
- [RhymeZone API](https://fous.com/workflows/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/workflows/etymonline.md): Origins and histories of English words from the Online Etymology Dictionary.
- [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.
- [WordReference API](https://fous.com/workflows/wordreference.md): Dictionary translations and language reference.
- [Investopedia API](https://fous.com/workflows/investopedia.md): Financial education, investing explanations, and a finance dictionary.
- [All Education workflows](https://fous.com/workflows/category/education)