Last updated on 12 May 2026
What are the best English dictionaries online? It is difficult to answer this question because there are so many language resources on the Web. Here is a first small selection of five great dictionaries for all FLE students and teachers and beyond all language lovers.
Table of Contents
1 — Le Larousse online
To every lord … It's hard to be more complete. The Larousse online does not lie about its good reputation. 135,000 French word definitions, 92,000 synonyms, 29,000 antonyms, 34,000 expressions and 15,000 homonyms. Who says better? Simple interface. Quick searches and some good surprises for example Latin and old French versions of some words. Everything is free. The other side is advertising. A little too present, even invasive to my liking.
Link: Larousse online.
2 — French language treasury computerised
As essential as the first, the TLFi is the computerized version of the TLF, a dictionary of the 19th and 20th centuries in 16 volumes. On the menu 100,000 words with their history, 270,000 definitions, 430,000 examples. Although the general ergonomics and the graphic atmosphere have taken a lot of time, this resource is still of high quality. The TFLi distinguishes itself from other existing electronic dictionaries by, among other things, the fineness of data structuring and a very comprehensive search tool.
Link: Treasure of the computerized French language
3 — Bob. The other treasure of language
This one is definitely one of my favorites. Absolute reference for this dictionary of slang, familiar French and popular French. More than 60,000 notices, nearly 100,000 citations, with bits of "dropping" language. To laugh, to get distracted, to get rich, to revel in the incredible richness of the language.
Link: Bob, dictionary and slang resources
4 — Solid Rimes. Dictionary of rhymes
If you want to sing the language, here is a free online resource that will help you find rhymes. A very easy-to-use tool that allows you to find words that sound good together, even if they are not a perfect rhyme. Don't miss the "exquisite corpses" section at the top of the main menu. Enter any text and the exquisite corpse generator will replace random words keeping the grammatical category, assonance and, if possible, number of syllables. The result is absurd, but amusing …
Link: Solid Rimes
5 — Synonyms Antonymes
A little dictionary of synonyms was needed for this first list. Petit is not the word to describe this resource. This site offers no less than 800,000 synonyms and nearly 100,000 antonyms. The search engine can be used to search for phrases as well as linking words (which is why, indeed, in addition, to conclude, etc.). The site is simple to use. It is also particularly swift.
Link: Synonyms-Antonyms
To follow …
You will certainly also be interested in this selection of the best online translation tools.
English
Hello,
personally I work a lot with CNRTL… extremely complete!
The TLF (Treasury of the French Language) seems interesting to me despite its complexity even for beginners because its simplified phonetic keyboard makes it possible to search for a word according to its pronunciation.
You can also use the megadictionary of the French language, downloadable in pdf.
The Robert's Online Dictionary (https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com) has the advantage of meeting all needs (definitions, synonyms, conjugation, pronunciation, … grammar), and of being regularly updated. Synonyms are grouped according to their meaning, which saves a lot of time.