Help

FAQ: Merriam-Webster Android Apps

Google Play Store Purchases

I have a question about or problem with my Google Play Store purchase. What should I do?

For questions and problems relating to purchases made in the Google Play Store, kindly contact Google Play Help.

Audio Pronunciations and Voice Search

Why can't I hear the audio pronunciations?

First, please check that your device is not muted. If you are not sure how to unmute your device, please refer to your device's user manual for more information.

Also, please check to make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Though the app allows you to look up words independently of a network connection, a network connection is required to access the graphical illustrations, audio pronunciations, voice search, and Word of the Day.

My app's voice search feature doesn't work properly. What should I do?

Please check to make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Though the app allows you to look up words independently of a network connection, a network connection is required to access the graphical illustrations, audio pronunciations, voice search, and Word of the Day.

Also, please check that you are using the voice search in a quiet environment. Loud background noise can sometimes interfere with the proper operation of the voice search feature.

Favorites and Recent

How do I add a dictionary entry to my Favorites list?

Tapping on the heart icon beneath an entry will save the entry to your Favorites list. The heart will turn blue to indicate that you've saved the word. To later remove the entry from the list, just tap on the heart again.

If you are using an older version of our app, there will be no heart icon, but there will be a yellow star next to the word you are looking up. Tap the yellow star to save the word. (We encourage you to upgrade to the latest version of our app, though, to take advantage of bug fixes and new features!)

For instructions on removing multiple words from the list, see "How do I delete words from my Favorites and Recent lists?" below.

How do I view my Favorites list?

To view your Favorites list, tap on the "hamburger" menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left of the screen, then tap the Favorites (heart) choice in the menu.

If you are using our app on a tablet, you can view your Favorites list by tapping the Favorites heart icon at the top of the screen.

How do I delete words from my Favorites and Recent lists?

To delete words from your Favorites or Recent list:

  • On an Android phone: Tap on the "hamburger" menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper left corner of the screen, and select "Favorites" or "Recent," depending on which list you want to edit. Tap the word "Edit" at the bottom right corner of the Favorites or Recent screen. Check boxes should appear next to each of the words in your Favorites or Recent list. Tap the check box next to the words you want to delete, then tap "Delete" at the bottom left corner of the screen. To clear the whole list, tap "Delete All" at the bottom of the screen.

  • On an Android tablet: Tap on the Favorites or Recent icon, depending on which list you'd like to open. Tap the word "Edit" at the bottom right corner of the Favorites or Recent screen. Check boxes should appear next to each of the words in your Favorites or Recent list. Tap the check box next to the words you want to delete, then tap "Delete" at the bottom left corner of the screen. To clear the whole list, tap "Delete All" at the bottom of the screen.

Can I transfer, sync, or export my Favorites or Recent list?

No. Unfortunately, this feature is not currently available. However, we are always adding new content and features to our apps.

Can I alphabetize my Favorites or Recent list, or organize it into folders?

No. Unfortunately, these features are not currently available. However, we are always adding new content and features to our apps.

Premium Apps

How is your Dictionary – M-W Premium app different from your free Dictionary – Merriam-Webster app?

Our premium Android app has no third-party ads. It also includes over 1,000 graphical illustrations and over 20,000 additional entries covering people, places, and foreign terms.

Why am I still seeing third-party ads after purchasing your premium app?

Our premium app and our free app install separately on your device. The premium app does not replace the free app. Therefore, you may have two Merriam-Webster Dictionary apps on your device.

If you are still seeing third-party ads after purchasing the premium version, please check that you are opening the premium app and not the free app. The premium app icon features a golden circle around the Merriam-Webster logo.

Where can I find the pictures in your premium apps?

If an entry includes a picture, you can view it by tapping on the picture icon at the top of the screen (for phones) or by scrolling down (for tablets).

Miscellaneous Technical Issues

My app crashes or freezes. What should I do?

Please follow Google's advice for troubleshooting app issues.

If the problem persists after you have performed all of these steps, please contact us via the contact form on our main web site. Please include your device's make and model, as well as its Android version number (usually found under Menu > Settings > About Phone).

Miscellaneous Suggestions

How can I contact Merriam-Webster to make a suggestion about your apps?

Please feel free to contact us via the contact form on our main web site. (App suggestions may not receive a response. However, we do review and value your feedback.)

Word of the Day

Why isn't the Word of the Day updating daily?

Please check to make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Though the app allows you to look up words independently of a network connection, a network connection is required to access the graphical illustrations, audio pronunciations, voice search, and Word of the Day.

Also, please note that while the Word of the Day article itself updates daily, the Word of the Day button in the app (which looks like a small calendar) does not change.

Scrolling Index (tablets only)

I don't see the vertical scrolling index. Where is it?

The vertical scrolling index is visible only when the iPad is oriented horizontally (landscape view).

Synonyms/Thesaurus

Where can I find synonyms and antonyms?/Where is the thesaurus?

You can access the Thesaurus in two ways. If you tap inside the search box at the top of the screen, you will see two toggle buttons underneath labeled "Dictionary" and "Thesaurus." Tap on the "Thesaurus" button until it is orange, and then type in your search term.

If you have looked up a word in the Dictionary and it has an entry in our Thesaurus, you will see the same "Dictionary | Thesaurus" toggle at the bottom of the entry. Tap on the "Thesaurus" button until it is orange, and you will be taken to that word's Thesaurus entry.

Please note: Not all words have synonyms, so not all dictionary entries have corresponding thesaurus entries.

Words and Dictionaries

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions About Words and Dictionaries page.

My question isn't answered here.

If you have a support question that is not answered above, please contact Merriam-Webster via our contact page. Please include your device's make and model, as well as its Android version number (usually found under Menu > Settings > About Phone).

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of underwhelm

See Definitions and Examples »