Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.4 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Serious English learners needing corpus depth
• Free plan
  Yes
• Audio pronunciation
  Yes
• Founded
  1844 · London, United Kingdom
• Facts checked
  19 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • 230,000 words, phrases and meanings with 165,000 usage examples
  • Collocations, thesaurus, grammar patterns and tense guidance in one place
  • Offline app access with audio, bookmarks, notes and flashcards

• Where it doesn't

  • The expanded app is limited to iPhone, iPad and Mac
  • The breadth may be more than casual users need
  • Advanced study features are concentrated in the app experience

Our verdict on Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English is an English learner’s dictionary designed for advanced learners who need more than short definitions. The free web dictionary covers 230,000 words, phrases and meanings, while the associated LDOCE app adds offline access, audio, bookmarks, folders, editable notes, flashcards and Word-of-the-Day sets. It is particularly suited to learners who want to study usage, pronunciation and word relationships in one place.

Its main strength is learning depth. The dictionary includes 165,000 corpus-based usage examples, an integrated collocations dictionary, a thesaurus, British and American headword pronunciation, and grammar patterns with tense guidance. Search also covers idioms and phrasal verbs, helping learners move from a word’s basic meaning to how it works in real sentences. These tools make Longman a strong fit for serious vocabulary development, writing support and careful English study rather than quick lookups alone.

Platform fit is more mixed. The dictionary is available on the web, and the app supports iPhone, iPad and Mac, with iCloud, a public API and a Share extension listed among its integrations. Offline dictionary use and pronunciation and example audio add practical value on supported Apple devices. However, users who need a broader range of mobile platforms or a lightweight dictionary focused only on fast definitions may prefer a simpler alternative. Choose Longman for corpus depth, grammar guidance and structured study; look elsewhere if cross-platform app coverage or minimalism matters more.

Your product? Our editors can test Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English pricing

All 2 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English plans and prices →

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English fact sheet

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English integrations

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English lists 3 integrations on its own site.

• iCloud
• public API
• Share extension

Alternatives to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

• Cambridge DictionaryA broad English learning reference with free access, audio, examples, and bilingual lookup.9.4
• Collins DictionaryA broad free dictionary for definitions, language tools, translations, and offline mobile lookup.9.3
• The Free DictionaryA broad free reference service with offline access, translations, and specialist dictionaries.9.2

See all Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English alternatives →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update