Standard Lemma guide

dictionaryese

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈdɪkʃəˌnəɹɪˈiːz/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈdɪkʃ(ə)nɹɪˈiːz/
  • Canada, General-American: /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛɹiˈiz/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -iːz

1

noun

Meaning 1

The style of language used in dictionary definitions, characterized by dry, straightforward, and occasionally awkward phrasing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lexicographese

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From dictionary + -ese (suffix denoting jargon used in a particular context).

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: sanakirjakieli — style of language used in dictionary definitions
  • Macedonian: речни́карски ја́зик (rečníkarski jázik) — style of language used in dictionary definitions
  • Polish: żargon słownikowy — style of language used in dictionary definitions
  • Portuguese: dicionarês — style of language used in dictionary definitions