"Dictionnaire" is the most common way to say “dictionary” in French. But what if you're looking for a slang dictionary, or a thesaurus? The French language has specific words for those, too.

As you advance in your French learning journey, you'll need the right tools to look up new words, find synonyms, or understand technical terms. Knowing the precise name for the type of dictionary you need will make your search much easier.

Let's dive into nine different ways to say “dictionary” in French and discover which one to use in any situation!

The standard 'dictionary' – le dictionnaire

The standard 'dictionary' – le dictionnaire

Le dictionnaire is the most direct and universally understood French word for 'dictionary'. It's the essential term you'll use in any context, whether you're a beginner or an advanced speaker.

It's important to remember that dictionnaire is a masculine noun. Therefore, it's always used with masculine articles:

• un dictionnaire - a dictionary
• le dictionnaire - the dictionary
• les dictionnaires - the dictionaries (plural)

This word is incredibly versatile. It applies to a physical book, an online dictionary website (like WordReference or Larousse), or a dictionary app on your phone. It's appropriate for both formal and informal situations.

You can easily specify the type of dictionary by adding an adjective after the noun. For instance:

• un dictionnaire bilingue - a bilingual dictionary (e.g., French-English)
• un dictionnaire de synonymes - a thesaurus (dictionary of synonyms)
• un dictionnaire en ligne - an online dictionary

A crucial phrase to know is chercher un mot dans le dictionnaire, which means 'to look up a word in the dictionary.' This is a fundamental skill for any French learner.

Be careful not to confuse dictionnaire with encyclopédie (encyclopedia). A dictionnaire defines words, while an encyclopédie provides detailed factual information about various subjects.

💡 * J'ai acheté un nouveau dictionnaire français-anglais. (I bought a new French-English dictionary.)

• Si tu ne connais pas le mot, cherche-le dans le dictionnaire. (If you don't know the word, look it up in the dictionary.)
• Ce dictionnaire en ligne est une excellente ressource pour les étudiants. (This online dictionary is an excellent resource for students.)
• Mon grand-père a une collection de vieux dictionnaires. (My grandfather has a collection of old dictionaries.)

The informal 'dictionary' – le dico

In everyday French, you'll often hear the word le dico. This is a very common informal and shortened version of the word le dictionnaire, which means 'the dictionary'.

Le dico is a perfect example of a French linguistic phenomenon called l'apocope, where the end of a word is dropped to create a shorter, more casual version. This is extremely common in spoken French.

While you would write le dictionnaire in a formal essay or use it in a professional setting, you would use le dico when talking with friends, family, or in any casual conversation. It's the go-to term for 'dictionary' in informal contexts.

You'll see this pattern all over French. For instance, le prof comes from le professeur (the teacher), le ciné from le cinéma (the movie theater), and l'info from l'information (the information/news).

Using le dico will make your French sound much more natural and authentic. It's a simple switch that shows you're familiar with how French people actually speak.

💡 * Je ne connais pas ce mot, je vais regarder dans le dico.

• Tu peux me prêter ton dico d'anglais ?
• Vite, cherche la définition dans le dico !
• J'ai acheté un nouveau dico pour mes cours de français.

The 'pocket dictionary' – le dictionnaire de poche

A classic tool for any language learner is the dictionnaire de poche, which literally translates to 'the dictionary of pocket'.

As its name implies, un dictionnaire de poche is a pocket dictionary. It's a small, physical dictionary designed to be portable and convenient for quick look-ups when you're on the move.

This term is useful when discussing study tools or shopping for books. While digital dictionaries are common, the dictionnaire de poche remains a reliable, battery-free option for travelers and students.

The word dictionnaire is a masculine noun in French. Therefore, you always use the masculine articles, such as un dictionnaire de poche (a pocket dictionary) or le dictionnaire de poche (the pocket dictionary).

💡 * J'ai toujours un dictionnaire de poche dans mon sac quand je voyage.

• Peux-tu vérifier la définition dans ton dictionnaire de poche ?
• Il a acheté un dictionnaire de poche français-anglais à la librairie.
• Pour un débutant, un bon dictionnaire de poche est essentiel.

The 'bilingual dictionary' – le dictionnaire bilingue

Le dictionnaire bilingue is the direct French translation for 'the bilingual dictionary'.

This term refers to a dictionary that provides word translations between two different languages, such as French and English. It's an indispensable tool for students, translators, and travelers.

The noun dictionnaire is masculine in French. Therefore, it is always preceded by masculine articles like le (the) or un (a/an). For example, you say un bon dictionnaire bilingue (a good bilingual dictionary).

Whether you are buying one, using one, or recommending one, you will use this phrase. It's a key term for anyone serious about learning a new language and needing resources for translation and vocabulary building.

💡 * J'ai acheté un nouveau dictionnaire bilingue français-anglais. (I bought a new French-English bilingual dictionary.)

• Peux-tu me prêter ton dictionnaire bilingue ? (Can you lend me your bilingual dictionary?)
• Ce mot n'est pas dans mon dictionnaire bilingue. (This word is not in my bilingual dictionary.)
• Un bon dictionnaire bilingue est essentiel pour apprendre une langue. (A good bilingual dictionary is essential for learning a language.)

The 'thesaurus' – le dictionnaire des synonymes

In French, a thesaurus is called a dictionnaire des synonymes, which literally translates to 'dictionary of synonyms.' This is the standard and most widely understood term.

Let's break down the phrase: dictionnaire means 'dictionary,' des is a contraction of 'de + les' meaning 'of the,' and synonymes means 'synonyms.' It's a very direct and descriptive name for the tool.

You'll use this phrase when you are looking for alternative words to avoid repetition, whether for writing an essay (une rédaction), a professional email (un e-mail professionnel), or simply to enrich your vocabulary (enrichir votre vocabulaire).

While physical copies of a dictionnaire des synonymes exist, most people today use online versions. A quick search for 'dictionnaire des synonymes en ligne' will provide you with numerous free and effective digital resources.

A great way to improve your French is to consult a dictionnaire des synonymes whenever you learn a new word. By looking up its synonyms, you can better understand its nuances and expand your active vocabulary much faster.

💡 * J'ai besoin d'un dictionnaire des synonymes pour mon devoir.

• Quel est le meilleur dictionnaire des synonymes en ligne ?
• Cherche ce mot dans le dictionnaire des synonymes pour trouver une alternative.
• Le dictionnaire des synonymes m'aide à ne pas répéter les mêmes mots.

1. The 'encyclopedic dictionary' – le dictionnaire encyclopédique

In French, a dictionnaire encyclopédique is a hybrid reference book that combines the features of a standard dictionary with those of an encyclopedia. It provides definitions, spellings, and etymologies for common words (noms communs) just like a regular dictionary.

What sets it apart is its inclusion of entries for proper nouns (noms propres). This means you can look up not only the word pont (bridge) but also Gustave Eiffel (the person) or the Pyramide du Louvre (a place/monument) all in the same volume.

The most iconic examples in France are Le Petit Larousse Illustré and Le Robert Illustré. These are household names and are updated annually, often featuring illustrations, maps, and timelines, making them a comprehensive one-stop reference for both language and general knowledge.

A French person might use a dictionnaire encyclopédique for schoolwork, to solve a crossword puzzle (mots croisés), or to settle a factual debate. It is the go-to tool when you need quick information on a wide range of subjects without consulting multiple specialized books.

💡 * Je cherche la date de la Révolution française dans mon dictionnaire encyclopédique.

• Le Petit Larousse est un dictionnaire encyclopédique très populaire en France.
• La différence est qu'un dictionnaire encyclopédique contient aussi des noms de personnes et de lieux célèbres.
• Pour tes devoirs, un dictionnaire encyclopédique sera plus utile qu'un simple dictionnaire de langue.

The 'slang dictionary' – le dictionnaire d'argot

To talk about a 'slang dictionary' in French, you would use the term le dictionnaire d'argot. This is a direct translation that combines dictionnaire (dictionary) with argot (slang).

The word argot refers to slang, jargon, or cant— a type of informal language used by a particular group of people. A dictionnaire d'argot is therefore a specialized resource dedicated to defining these non-standard words and expressions that you won't find in a typical French dictionary.

For advanced learners, a slang dictionary is an invaluable tool for understanding modern spoken French, especially in movies, music, and casual conversations. It helps bridge the gap between textbook French and how people actually speak.

💡 * J'ai acheté un dictionnaire d'argot pour comprendre les paroles de cette chanson. (I bought a slang dictionary to understand the lyrics of this song.)

• Ce mot est de l'argot, tu ne le trouveras pas dans un dictionnaire classique. (This word is slang, you won't find it in a classic dictionary.)
• Le dictionnaire d'argot en ligne est très utile pour les expressions récentes. (The online slang dictionary is very useful for recent expressions.)
• Si tu veux parler comme un jeune Parisien, il te faut un bon dictionnaire d'argot. (If you want to speak like a young Parisian, you need a good slang dictionary.)

The 'glossary' – le glossaire

The French word for 'glossary' is le glossaire. As a masculine noun, it's a direct cognate of its English counterpart, which makes it very easy to remember.

Un glossaire is an alphabetical list of specialized terms with their definitions, typically found at the end of a book or a technical document. Its purpose is to help the reader understand specific vocabulary used within that text.

For anyone learning French, le glossaire is a fantastic resource. When you pick up a French textbook or a specialized reader, always check the final pages. A well-made glossary can provide quick definitions in context, saving you from having to use a separate dictionary for every new word.

You might also see the word le lexique. It's often used interchangeably with glossaire. However, lexique can also refer more broadly to the vocabulary of a language or a specific domain (e.g., le lexique juridique for legal vocabulary), whereas glossaire almost always refers to a specific list appended to a document.

💡 * Consultez le glossaire à la fin du livre pour comprendre les termes techniques.

• Ce rapport inclut un glossaire pour clarifier le jargon utilisé.
• J'ai ajouté un glossaire à ma thèse pour aider les lecteurs non-spécialistes.
• Le glossaire de ce manuel de chimie est très complet.

1. Understanding 'Le Lexique': The French Word for Lexicon or Glossary

The French noun le lexique is the direct equivalent of 'the lexicon' or 'the glossary' in English. It refers to a collection of words, specifically the vocabulary associated with a particular subject, field, or text. As a masculine noun, it is used with articles like le or un.

In its most common usage, le lexique describes a specialized list of terms and their definitions, often found at the back of a textbook or technical manual. For instance, a biology book might include a lexique des termes biologiques (glossary of biological terms) to help readers understand specific vocabulary.

It's crucial to distinguish le lexique from le dictionnaire (the dictionary). A dictionnaire is a comprehensive, alphabetical reference book for an entire language. A lexique, on the other hand, is a curated and limited word list focused on a specific domain. Think of it as a mini-dictionary for a niche topic.

In linguistics, le lexique can also refer to the entire vocabulary of a language (e.g., le lexique de la langue française) or the set of words known by an individual. However, in everyday conversation and writing, the 'glossary' or 'specialized vocabulary' meaning is far more prevalent.

💡 * À la fin du livre, vous trouverez un lexique des termes techniques.

• Chaque profession a son propre lexique que les débutants doivent apprendre.
• Pour comprendre ce document juridique, j'ai dû consulter un lexique spécialisé.
• L'auteur est connu pour son lexique riche et précis.

Are there other ways to say 'dictionary' in French?

Are there other ways to say “dictionary” in French?

Our list covers the most common ways to say “dictionary” in French, from the classic dictionnaire to more specific terms like glossaire or lexique. But French, like any living language, has other words, including some that are more formal, technical, or even a bit old-fashioned.

You can also expand your vocabulary by searching for specific types of dictionaries. Try looking up terms like dictionnaire de synonymes (thesaurus), dictionnaire bilingue (bilingual dictionary), or dictionnaire étymologique (etymological dictionary).

You might find other interesting synonyms for dictionnaire in your reading. Before using a new term, always verify its precise meaning and context. For instance, un lexique typically refers to the vocabulary of a specific field, not a general-purpose dictionary.

Pay close attention as you read academic or specialized French texts. Notice how authors refer to their sources and glossaries—you may discover new and nuanced terms for different kinds of reference works.

And if you’re looking for an authoritative online French dictionary to explore, the official websites for Le Robert or Larousse are fantastic resources used daily by native speakers themselves!

I hope this guide has been a useful reference. To finish, here’s a wonderful quote from French writer Anatole France that perfectly captures the magic of a dictionary: Un dictionnaire, c'est tout l'univers par ordre alphabétique. (A dictionary is the entire universe in alphabetical order.)