Written Android App Review
In what seems like a strange omission, Merriam-Webster has only just now released its comprehensive Merriam-Webster Dictionary app for Android. The utility is a full-featured (and free) product with all the great word-searching capabilities you’d hope for and is available in the Android Market.
Function and Features
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
To put it simply, Merriam-Webster Dictionary is exactly what it says it is: A dictionary app by a prestigious and respectable definition source. The app offers the ability to search every word you can think of and them some. Using the built-in Word of the Day feature, you may even stumble upon some words you don’t know. Finding a word is as easy as typing it in the search bar, as the app will do the rest. If you haven’t spelled it correctly, Merriam-Webster Dictionary will attempt to figure out what you mean, though this isn’t full-proof so having the word right is often a must. From there, clicking on an entry provides an in-depth definition complete with pronunciation and an audio recording of the word. It’s all-American audio here, though, meaning English speakers from elsewhere will have to deal with some slight mispronunciations—looking at you “basil.”
Merriam-Webster does throw in a few more features just to pad out the wares. Within any definition you’re free to click on unfamiliar words to view the term’s entry. The app will also track recent searches, which is nice. On top of all that, you can even speak to the app using voice command search. It’s a solid offering that provides cut-and-dry word searching for those in need of a quick definition.
Design
Merriam-Webster Dictionary makes use of an iOS-style tabbed browsing, providing all of its immediate features right on the home screen. Navigating both entries and areas of the app could not be simpler, and I greatly appreciated the simplistic design. Merriam-Webster Dictionary is ad-supported, meaning you’ll have to put up with small banner adverts at the bottom of each entry. They’re usually not too invasive, but having them in full-screen mode did feel a bit tacky. The app could also do with a bit of social network integration: An area we tend to hound here at the Android Apps Review. Having the ability to post an interesting word—or the Word of the Day—to Facebook or Twitter would be a tremendous boon, and a great incentive to learn, as well.
Overall Value
At the end of the day, Merriam-Webster Dictionary is a free and quality dictionary offering from a tremendously respectable company. It won’t break the bank, and though it’s not quite perfect—the ads really are bothersome—it’ll save you a Google search or trip to Dictionary.com. And that certainly seems worth the low price of entry.
Android Apps Review Details: Merriam-Webster Dictionary Android app is free. This app requires Android 2.2 and up. You may download Merriam-Webster Dictionary from the Android Market.
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