Usito. A great Quebec dictionary of the French language

Last updated on 20 July 2023

Usito is an online dictionary of the French language designed in Quebec This should be of interest to all those who are passionate about the language. Usito also offers some original functions for users who are not proficient in spelling or for DYS readers.

A completely free resource to slip into your digital kit of dictionaries online.

A large free Quebec dictionary designed by a Canadian university

Usito was designed and built at the University of Sherbrooke. Sherbrooke is a Canadian city located in Quebec, at the confluence of the Magog and Saint-François rivers a hundred kilometers from Montreal.

Usito, which has been freely consulted online for a few months, is the first electronic dictionary to describe the standard French in use in Quebec, while making the bridge with the rest of the Francophonie. This dictionary describes all the words of standard French currently in use in Quebec (neutral and supported registers). But make no mistake, the book is not just aimed at Quebeckers, it is aimed at the entire Francophonie. Researchers who have designed and regularly update the dictionary see great.

A great dictionary of French for the whole Francophonie

Usito was designed to highlight the common core of the French language shared by all Francophones. It is also enriched by the distinctive features of different geographical areas of the Francophonie.
Collaborations are ongoing (Acadia, Belgium and Switzerland) with Louisiana, the West Indies, the Maghreb and French-speaking Africa. The project will have to be closely monitored.

A very practical dictionary full of qualities

Usito simply consults from a web browser on a computer or tablet. A stripped-down interface to get to the point: searching for definitions or checking the spelling of words.

Usito offers a smart dictionary. This one will indeed suggest words to you if you misspelled your search. This is a real added value. These suggestions are not only orthographic, but can also be phonological. An interesting function for students with difficulties in spelling.

It is also possible to replace a letter with an asterisk * for perform a search. The results are displayed at lightning speed.

You will also find direct entries by headings on the homepage. I recommend the one dedicated to particularisms. It is a real treat with a dive into the particularities of French in different countries of the world. In Quebec and Canada of course, but also in Switzerland, Belgium …

A great project. Fingers are crossed so that it continues to grow richer on a regular basis.
This great Quebec dictionary is completely free and without any advertising.

Link: Category: Quebec dictionaries for Usito