Citing A Dictionary Entry Mla

Citing a Dictionary Entry MLA: A Comprehensive Guide

Proper citation is crucial for academic integrity. While citing books and articles is relatively straightforward, citing sources like dictionary entries can be confusing. This article provides a clear and comprehensive guide on how to correctly cite dictionary entries using the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, ensuring that your research is both accurate and ethically sound. We will cover the basic format, address variations depending on the dictionary type, and offer helpful examples to clarify the process.

Understanding the Basics of MLA Dictionary Citation

The core components of an MLA dictionary citation are consistent, regardless of the specific dictionary used. These include:

Entry Word: The term you looked up in the dictionary.
Dictionary Title: The full title of the dictionary, italicized.
Edition: If the dictionary has multiple editions, specify the edition number (e.g., 3rd ed.).
Publisher: The name of the publishing company.
Publication Year: The year the dictionary was published or the edition you consulted was published.
Medium: Usually "Print" or "Online." For online dictionaries, you'll need to provide a URL and access date.

Citing Print Dictionaries in MLA Style

The basic format for citing a print dictionary entry in MLA is:

"Entry Word." Dictionary Title. Edition, Publisher, Publication Year, Page number(s). Medium.

Example 1:

"Ephemeral." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 11th ed., Merriam-Webster, 2003, p. 456. Print.

Example 2 (Multiple Authors):

"Syzygy." The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed., edited by John Simpson and Edward Weiner, Oxford UP, 1989, p. 1234. Print.

Note how the entry word is in quotation marks, the dictionary title is italicized, and the page number is specified. The "Medium" indicates the format of the source. Always double-check your spelling and punctuation for accuracy.

Citing Online Dictionaries in MLA Style

Citing online dictionaries requires additional information to ensure that your reader can easily locate the source. The format is essentially the same, but adds a URL and access date:

"Entry Word." Dictionary Title. Edition, Publisher, Publication Year, URL, Access Date. Medium.

Example 1 (No edition number):

"Quixotic." Oxford Languages. Oxford University Press, www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/quixotic, Accessed 22 Oct. 2023. Web.

Example 2 (With an edition number):

"Ubiquitous." Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. 12th ed., Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ubiquitous, Accessed 22 Oct. 2023. Web.

Remember to replace the example URL and access date with the actual ones for your entry. The access date is essential as online content can change over time.

Handling Variations and Specific Cases

Certain situations may require slight adjustments to the basic format. For instance:

No Publisher: If you cannot find the publisher, omit this element.
No Edition: If the edition number is not available, omit it. However, it's always best to strive for completeness.
Multiple Entries: If you're citing information from multiple dictionary entries, cite each entry individually in separate entries in your Works Cited page.
Specialized Dictionaries: The citation format remains largely the same, but ensure you include the full and accurate title of the specialized dictionary (e.g., Dictionary of Literary Terms, A Dictionary of Music).

Conclusion

Accurately citing dictionary entries is a fundamental aspect of academic writing. By following the MLA guidelines outlined above, you can ensure the credibility and integrity of your work. Consistent application of these principles will contribute to the overall quality and professionalism of your academic papers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to cite every dictionary entry I use? Yes, any information taken directly from a source, including a dictionary, needs proper citation.

2. What if I only paraphrase the definition? Even paraphrases require citation. While you’re not directly quoting, the idea still originates from the dictionary.

3. Can I use a shortened version of the dictionary title? No, use the full title as it appears on the title page or in the source information.

4. What if the online dictionary doesn't have a publication date? Use "n.d." (no date) in place of the publication year.

5. Is it acceptable to cite a dictionary definition in an annotation? Yes, you can cite dictionary definitions in your annotations to support your interpretations or to clarify terminology. Maintain consistency with your overall citation style.

Search Results:

Citing a Dictionary Entry in MLA Style | Format & Examples 1 Jul 2021 · In MLA style, a Works Cited entry for a dictionary entry usually starts with the title of the entry—since dictionaries usually don’t list authors. The example below shows how to cite an entry in an online dictionary.

3 Ways to Cite a Dictionary Meaning in MLA - wikiHow 24 Feb 2025 · Include an in-text citation in parentheses right after the sentence that referenced the term. On your works cited page, list the term, the dictionary's title, its edition, its date of publication, and the page number. For an online dictionary, include the URL and the date you accessed the site.

9: MLA Documentation and Format - Humanities LibreTexts This page details guidelines for using MLA style for documenting research sources in the humanities. It covers in-text citations, Works Cited page formatting, and citation methods for various sources,…

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries - MLA Citation Guide (MLA 9th … Format Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Entry." Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary, edited by Editor's First Name Last Name, Edition if given and not first edition, vol. Volume Number, Publisher Name, Date of Publication, pp. First Page - Last Page. Name of Database, permalink URL or DOI. Example Selby, Christine. "Assessment."

Cite a dictionary entry in MLA style - Cite This For Me A full template and example to help you write a citation for a Dictionary entry in the MLA style.

Subject guides: MLA 9th: Encyclopaedias and dictionaries Go to Getting started > In-text citation to view detailed information on in-text citation using MLA, including other examples such as multiple authors and translators. Refer to this section to determine when to include/exclude a page (s) number, as it's not always necessary.

How to Cite A Dictionary Entry in MLA? | Top Essential Steps 27 Jan 2025 · Here is the format for citing a dictionary entry in MLA: Works Cited: “Title of Entry, Part of Speech. (Definition Number).” Dictionary Title, Publisher, Publication Year, URL. Works Cited: “Entry Title”. Dictionary Title, Edition, Volume, Publisher, Publication Year, Page Number.

How to Cite a Dictionary in MLA Style - Format & Examples 5 Jun 2024 · MLA dictionary citations include the defined word, italicized dictionary title, edition (if applicable), publisher, and publication date. For online dictionaries, add the URL and access date. This format helps readers find the source. Here’s an example of how to cite a dictionary entry in MLA style: Print Dictionary: “Serendipity.”

MLA Style 9th Edition - Citing Encyclopedias & Dictionaries Works Cited Format "Title of Entry." Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary, Publisher, Publication Date, URL.

How to Cite a Dictionary Entry in MLA - TypeCite US 9 May 2024 · When referencing a dictionary entry in MLA style, it’s important to follow specific guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency. This article provides a step by step guide on how to cite a dictionary entry in MLA format.

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries - MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition ... Note: If a dictionary or encyclopedia entry has no author, the in-text citation should include the first one, two or three words from title of the entry. The words from the title of the entry should be in quotation marks, with each word starting with a capital letter. Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of …

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries - Citation Guide (MLA 9th Edition) 30 Apr 2025 · "Title of Entry." Title of Encyclopedia or Dictionary, edited by Editor's First Name Last Name, Edition if given and not the first edition, vol. Volume Number, Publisher Name, Date of Publication, pp.

Citing encyclopedias & dictionaries: MLA (9th) citation guide Citing an encyclopedia article or dictionary entry is similar to citing a chapter in a book or anthology: include the author's name (if available), the entry title, and the title of the entire reference work. If there is no author, begin the citation with the title (and italicize or use quotation marks as necessary).

MLA Dictionary Entry Citation – Formatting & Examples 11 Feb 2023 · It allows you to cite key details like the edition, publisher, and dictionary title for easy retrieval. This article covers: The correct structure for print and online sources. How to abbreviate parts of speech. Dictionary entries with authors. How to cite in text.

Dictionary or Encyclopedia - MLA Citation Style, 9th Edition ... 28 Mar 2025 · If citing a specific entry among several for the same word, add Entry and the appropriate designation (e.g., number, letter):

All Guides: MLA Style (9th ed.): Encyclopedias & Dictionaries 20 Feb 2025 · How do I cite a dictionary definition that I find in Google search results? How do I cite an article in a reference book? If I use a dictionary to translate a source, do I need to cite the dictionary? Your professor may have different citing expectations than library staff.

MLA 8 Dictionary Citation Generator & Examples - Chegg To cite a dictionary in MLA 8 style, you need to know basic information, including the name of the dictionary, word of entry, publisher name, and publication year. The templates and examples below are based on the MLA Handbook, 8th edition (not associated with this guide). On this page, you will learn how to cite the following:

How to Cite a Dictionary in MLA - EasyBib 10 Aug 2012 · To cite a dictionary in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the entry’s headword (as it appears), part of speech, the title of the dictionary, and when applicable, the URL. If the definition lists multiple possible definitions, you also need to include the definition number.

How to Cite a Dictionary in MLA 9: Guidelines and Examples 17 May 2024 · This guide on how to cite a dictionary in MLA 9 covers the main rules of referencing such sources in essay and research papers with examples.

Encyclopedia and Dictionary Entries - Citing Your Sources in MLA … 6 Mar 2025 · Example: If an article runs from page 10 to page 15, your citation should say "pp. 10-15" because it covers multiple pages. If it's a short article that only appears on page 11, your citation should say "p. 11".

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries - MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition ... 4 Jul 2023 · Note: For your Works Cited list, all citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent. A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches. Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Entry."

Citing A Dictionary Entry Mla