How to Cite a Dictionary

The Humble Dictionary: More Than Just Definitions

Dictionaries are foundational resources for writers. They're not just for checking spellings; they offer etymology, usage examples, and even historical context. When you use a dictionary in your academic work, you need to cite it properly. This shows you've done your research and gives credit where it's due. The method for citing a dictionary depends on whether you're using a print version or an online one, and which citation style you're following.

Citing Print Dictionaries

When citing a physical dictionary, you'll generally need the following information:

• Author(s): Often, dictionaries are edited rather than authored. If there's a clear editor (e.g., "Edited by John Smith"), use their name. If it's a corporate or institutional author (like Merriam-Webster), use that name.
• Title of the Dictionary: This should be italicized.
• Edition: If it's not the first edition, include the edition number (e.g., 10th ed.).
• Place of Publication: The city where the publisher is located.
• Publisher: The name of the company that published the dictionary.
• Year of Publication: The year the edition was published.
• The specific word (entry) you are citing: This is crucial for the reader to find your source.

Let's look at how this translates into common citation styles.

APA Style (7th Edition)

APA style is common in social sciences. For a print dictionary entry, you cite the specific word, and the dictionary itself is treated like a reference book.

Format for the reference list entry:

Editor, A. A. (Ed.). (Year). Title of work (Edition). Publisher.

Format for in-text citation:

(Editor's Last Name, Year, p. Entry Number or Page Number for Entry) or Editor's Last Name (Year) noted that...

Example Reference List Entry (Print):

Gove, P. B. (Ed.). (1986). Webster's third new international dictionary of the English language (10th ed.). Merriam-Webster.

Example In-Text Citation:

(Gove, 1986)

How to cite a specific word:

If you're referencing a specific definition or word, the citation should point to that entry. For print dictionaries, this can be tricky as there isn't always a page number for a specific word. Often, you'll just cite the dictionary itself and mention the word in your text.

• In-text: Merriam-Webster defines "ubiquitous" as "existing or being everywhere at the same time" (Gove, 1986).

MLA Style (9th Edition)

MLA is widely used in the humanities. It focuses on author, title, and container information.

Format for the Works Cited entry:

Editor(s) Last Name, First Name, editor(s). Title of Dictionary. Publisher, Year of Publication.

Format for in-text citation:

(Author's Last Name Page Number) or Author's Last Name (Page Number)

Example Works Cited Entry (Print):

Simpson, John, editor. The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed., Oxford UP, 1989.

Example In-Text Citation:

(Simpson)

How to cite a specific word:

MLA typically omits the page number for dictionary entries if the word itself is the locator. You would cite the editor's last name.

• In-text: The OED defines "serendipity" as "the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for" (Simpson).

Chicago Style (17th Edition)

Chicago offers two systems: notes-bibliography and author-date. The notes-bibliography system is more common for humanities.

Format for Bibliography Entry:

Editor Last Name, First Name, ed. Title of Dictionary. Edition. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.

Format for Footnote/Endnote:

1. Editor First Name Last Name, ed., Title of Dictionary, Edition (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year), page number or entry name.

Example Bibliography Entry (Print):

Guralnik, David B., editor. Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language. 3rd College ed. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1986.

Example Footnote:

1. David B. Guralnik, ed., Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, 3rd College ed. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1986), s.v. "ephemeral." (s.v. stands for sub voce, meaning "under the word").

How to cite a specific word:

Chicago style uses "s.v." followed by the entry word to indicate you're citing a specific term.

• Note: David B. Guralnik, ed., Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, 3rd College ed. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1986), s.v. "ephemeral."
• Bibliography: Guralnik, David B., editor. Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language. 3rd College ed. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1986.

Citing Online Dictionaries

Online dictionaries are incredibly convenient, but their citation format differs from print. The core information needed is similar, but the "container" is the website itself.

• Author/Editor: As with print, look for an editor or corporate author.
• Title of the Entry: The specific word you are defining.
• Title of the Dictionary/Website: The name of the online dictionary.
• Publisher/Sponsoring Organization: Who maintains the website.
• Date of Publication/Last Update: If available.
• URL: The web address.
• Access Date: The date you viewed the entry.

APA Style (7th Edition)

For online dictionaries where the author and publisher are the same, you omit the publisher.

Format for the reference list entry:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Entry title. In Title of dictionary. Publisher. Retrieved from URL

or, if no date:

Author, A. A. (n.d.). Entry title. In Title of dictionary. Publisher. Retrieved from URL

Format for in-text citation:

(Author's Last Name, Year) or Author's Last Name (Year)

Example Reference List Entry (Online):

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Ubiquitous. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ubiquitous

Example In-Text Citation:

(Merriam-Webster)

How to cite a specific word:

The entry title itself is what you're citing.

• In-text: Merriam-Webster defines "ubiquitous" as "existing or being everywhere at the same time" (Merriam-Webster).

MLA Style (9th Edition)

MLA treats online dictionaries as websites.

Format for the Works Cited entry:

Author Last Name, First Name (if applicable). "Title of Entry." Title of Dictionary/Website, Publisher (if different from title), Date of Publication/Update, URL. Accessed Date.

or, if no author:

"Title of Entry." Title of Dictionary/Website, Publisher (if different from title), Date of Publication/Update, URL. Accessed Date.

Format for in-text citation:

(Author's Last Name) or ("Shortened Title of Entry")

Example Works Cited Entry (Online):

"Serendipity." Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, 2023, www.oed.com/view/entry/178916. Accessed 26 Oct. 2023.

Example In-Text Citation:

("Serendipity")

How to cite a specific word:

You cite the specific entry title.

• In-text: The OED defines "serendipity" as "the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for" ("Serendipity").

Chicago Style (17th Edition)

Online dictionaries are cited similarly to other web pages.

Format for Footnote/Endnote:

1. Author First Name Last Name (if applicable), "Entry Title," Title of Dictionary/Website, Publisher (if different), Last Modified or Publication Date, URL. Accessed Month Day, Year.

Example Footnote:

1. "Ephemeral," Merriam-Webster.com, Merriam-Webster, updated 15 Oct. 2023, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ephemeral. Accessed October 26, 2023.

How to cite a specific word:

You cite the entry title.

• Note: "Ephemeral," Merriam-Webster.com, Merriam-Webster, updated 15 Oct. 2023, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ephemeral. Accessed October 26, 2023.

Key Takeaways for Dictionary Citations

• Consistency is King: Whatever style guide you're using, stick to its rules for dictionaries.
• Identify the Entry: Make sure your citation clearly points to the specific word or definition you used.
• Online vs. Print: The format changes significantly. Note the presence of a URL and access date for online sources.
• Editor vs. Author: Dictionaries often have editors. Ensure you're citing the correct party.
• Check Your Style Guide: Always refer to the official manual for your chosen style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) for the most precise guidance.

Using dictionaries is a sign of thorough research. Proper citation ensures your work is credible. If you're ever unsure about how to format a specific source, services like EssayGazebo.com can provide expert assistance with citation and formatting.