Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English pros and cons

• 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

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update