GoldenDict
GoldenDict is a dictionary lookup program for finding words across local dictionaries, websites, and other applications.
What GoldenDict is
GoldenDict is a dictionary lookup program for finding words across local dictionaries, websites, and other applications. It supports Babylon BGL, StarDict, dictd, ABBYY Lingvo DSL, and Lingvo audio archives. Web lookups can draw on Wikipedia, Wiktionary, other MediaWiki sites, and arbitrary websites configured with URL templates. Hunspell morphology offers word stemming and spelling suggestions, while pronunciation lookup can use Forvo or indexed audio directories. A scan popup can show a translation for a word selected in another application, and global hotkeys can open the program or translate clipboard text. Dictionary articles display through WebKit, with formatting, colors, images, and links. GoldenDict is free, open-source software under GNU GPLv3+ and supports offline access, but the Windows installer does not include local dictionaries; users download them separately. GoldenDict-ng adds Anki integration, a dark theme, Xapian full-text indexing, and support for dictionaries larger than 4 GB. Its builds are for Windows and macOS, with packages for some Linux and Unix distributions. GoldenDict-ng requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or macOS 13 or later.
Good
- Supports five named dictionary and audio formats.
- Looks up words on Wikipedia and other sites.
- Offers morphology and spelling suggestions.
- Popup and hotkeys support cross-application lookups.
- Free and open source under GNU GPLv3+.
Watch out
- Windows installer does not include local dictionaries.
- GoldenDict-ng requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later.
- GoldenDict-ng requires macOS 13 or later.
Who it suits
GoldenDict suits readers who need to search several dictionary formats, web references, or audio sources, including from other applications. Its Windows installer requires users to obtain local dictionaries separately.
Verdict
GoldenDict brings local dictionary files, web references, pronunciation sources, and quick lookups into one program. It is free, but users need to source local dictionary content separately for the Windows installer.
Plans and prices
From GoldenDict's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| GoldenDict | Free | GNU GPLv3+ · dictionary content downloaded separately |
| GoldenDict mobile version | Priced on request | Commercial mobile version for Android |
The facts
Each one read from GoldenDict's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Article display
- The program uses WebKit to display dictionary articles with formatting, colors, images, and links.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The project welcomes users who want to report bugs, test, translate, code, or answer questions.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Current-generation features
- GoldenDict-ng adds Anki integration, dark theme, full-text indexing with Xapian, and support for dictionaries larger than 4 GB.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Dictionary content
- The Windows installer does not include local dictionaries, which users download separately.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Dictionary formats
- It supports Babylon BGL, StarDict, dictd, ABBYY Lingvo DSL, and Lingvo audio archives.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Hotkeys
- Global hotkeys can open the program or translate text from the clipboard.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The original program is free software under the GNU GPLv3+ license.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Morphology
- Hunspell morphology provides word stemming and spelling suggestions.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Popup lookup
- A scan popup can show a translation for a word selected in another application.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Pronunciation
- It supports pronunciation lookup through Forvo and indexed directories of audio files.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Web lookups
- It supports Wikipedia, Wiktionary, other MediaWiki sites, and arbitrary websites through URL templates.checked 5 Oct 2026
- What it does
- GoldenDict is a feature-rich dictionary lookup program.checked 5 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Current platforms
- GoldenDict-ng provides builds for Windows and macOS and packages for some Linux and Unix distributions.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Platform requirements
- GoldenDict-ng requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or macOS 13 or later.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker details
- The original site credits Konstantin Isakov and states copyright years 2008–2013; it does not state a headquarters or founding date.checked 5 Oct 2026
Alternatives to GoldenDict
- 1
MDBG Chinese Dictionary
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.0$15.95 one-time - 2
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.0From $9.99 a year - 3
The Free Dictionary
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.0$9.99 one-time - 4
Duden-Mentor
Free planWebAPIExtensionmacOS7.7From €2.99 a month - 5
ABBYY Lingvo
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows7.34,018 RUB one-time - 6
WordWeb
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows7.3From $1.50 a month