Updated on February 8, 2024
The 7 best German online dictionaries
Do you find yourself lost for words in German conversations? A German dictionary can help you out. Don’t fret. You won’t have to carry a heavy hardcover wherever you go.. The internet has made life easier in uncountable ways, but it holds some special treats for language learners. Online dictionaries and dictionary apps give you instant access not only to thousands of translations, definitions and explanations but also show vocabulary in context and let you listen to the correct pronunciation of the words. These features come in handy when talking or reading. At the same time, you can use them to speed up your practice. Unfortunately, not everything the internet has to offer is worth your while. That’s why we selected the top seven German dictionaries available online for you.
Dict.cc might be the best German dictionary. You can access the German-English dictionary online, download it from a free database or get the app for iOS and Android. Despite the basic look, it stands out through its results. The community-driven dictionary gives the translation together with a definition and shows you how to use the word in context. You can also listen to its pronunciation and benefit from the vocabulary trainer. Most helpful is the search function for idioms and phrases which makes it more than just a dictionary.
If you prefer an up-to-date look and a community to ask questions, Leo will be the best German-English dictionary app for you. The discussions in the forum come up in the search results and help you find the right translation in context. The dictionary with the lion logo is available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, accessible in web browsers and available as a Firefox-Add-on as well as a Chrome Extension. You can listen to pronunciation and practice vocabulary with a customizable trainer.
Yet more context needed? Then Linguee is your best friend. While Leo relies on the community to translate passages with the search word used in context, the iOS and Android app will display translations found from bilingual websites and other online sources. The app also suggests common phrases and idioms and provides you with a direct translation and the correct pronunciation of the word.
Bab.la stands out through its easy navigation. The initial result will give you the direct translation and correct pronunciation. If that doesn’t solve your problem, a click takes you to examples of how to use the word in context and another click will provide you with synonyms.
Pons is one of the big names in the dictionary business. The green hardcovers are well known to everyone who learns a second language. Their German-English dictionary online and the app deliver the same quality of translations and phrases and add audio pronunciation, examples pulled from the internet and a vocabulary trainer.
Der Duden is the leading authority on German orthography, grammar and meaning. You can access the online dictionary via web browser, iOS and Android apps. It might be the best German dictionary, but unfortunately, there are no English translations. The all-German nature of Duden makes it more suitable for advanced learners.
The Collins German dictionary equips beginners and professional linguists with translations, pronunciation and phrases. Beginners will love the declension tables. Translation of the same word into many other languages, word games, a customizable word list and a history of your searches make learning easy, fun and effective. The most helpful feature by far is the “fuzzy filter”. If you are not sure about the spelling and get it all wrong, the search will still come up with relevant results! You can use the Collins dictionary online, offline or download the app for iOS and Android.
Dict.cc, Leo, Pons, Duden, Linguee, Bab.la and Collins are all free and equally user-friendly German dictionaries with solid translations, audio pronunciation and examples of usage. Most of them are accessible online and via iOS or Android apps. Which one is the best for you depends on your German level and on how you are planning to use them. Play around with all of them to find out what suits you best.
