OneLook’s reverse dictionary finds related words from a description, with thesaurus results and filters for refining searches.
ReverseDictionary
Reverse Dictionary lets users search for words by entering a definition, with examples such as describing an unpleasantly moist phrase.
About ReverseDictionary
Reverse Dictionary is a web tool for finding words by their meaning. Instead of typing a word to see its definition, users enter a definition or description, such as "longing for a time in the past," and the tool returns words whose dictionary definitions most closely match that query. For example, that query returns "nostalgia." The site describes itself as acting like a thesaurus that accepts a phrase rather than a single word.
The engine has indexed several million definitions. The site notes that results are becoming consistently good but may sometimes be odd. Clicking a result word shows its definition where one is available, and those definitions come from the WordNet database. The site also links to a companion tool, Related Words, for finding words related to a single word. The site states that it uses third-party scripts, including Google Analytics and advertisements, which set cookies, and it refers users to a privacy policy for details.
Key features
- Search for words by entering a definition or description
- Returns words whose definitions most closely match the search query
- Searches an index of several million dictionary definitions
- Shows definitions for result words, where available, sourced from WordNet
- Links to Related Words for finding words related to a single word
Best for: People who know what a word means or describes but cannot recall the word itself, and who want to explore words by their definitions.
Good for
- The site reports that results are becoming consistently good at this stage
- Definitions are drawn from the open-source WordNet database
Watch out for
- The site states that the engine may sometimes return strange results
- Third-party scripts, including Google Analytics and advertisements, use cookies
ReverseDictionary at a glance
- Website
- reversedictionary.org
- Category
- Education & Learning › Language Learning
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
ReverseDictionary alternatives
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Open source
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ReverseDictionary FAQ
What kind of search query does it accept?
It accepts a definition or description of a word, such as "longing for a time in the past," which returns "nostalgia" according to the site.
Where do the word definitions come from?
Definitions shown when you click a result are sourced from the WordNet database, where a definition is available.
Does the site use cookies?
The site states that third-party scripts, such as Google Analytics and advertisements, use cookies. The site refers users to its privacy policy for more information.
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