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GoldenDict

goldendict.org

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Spec score 8.1 #14 of 39 in Online Dictionaries

What it is

GoldenDict is a dictionary lookup program for finding words across installed dictionary sources, websites, and other applications. It supports Babylon BGL, StarDict, dictd, ABBYY Lingvo DSL, and Lingvo audio archives. Web lookups can use Wikipedia, Wiktionary, other MediaWiki sites, and websites configured through URL templates. Hunspell morphology provides word stemming and spelling suggestions, while pronunciation lookup can use Forvo or indexed audio directories. A scan popup can show a translation for a selected word in another application; global hotkeys can open GoldenDict or translate clipboard text. Dictionary articles are displayed through WebKit with formatting, color, images, and links. The original program is free software under the GNU GPLv3+ license, with offline access. The Windows installer does not include local dictionaries, which users download 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; it requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or macOS 13 or later.

Spec sheet

What it does
GoldenDict is a feature-rich dictionary lookup program.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Audience
The project welcomes users who want to report bugs, test, translate, code, or answer questions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The original program is free software under the GNU GPLv3+ license.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Article display
The program uses WebKit to display dictionary articles with formatting, colors, images, and links.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Current platforms
GoldenDict-ng provides builds for Windows and macOS and packages for some Linux and Unix distributions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · xiaoyifang.github.io
Current-generation features
GoldenDict-ng adds Anki integration, dark theme, full-text indexing with Xapian, and support for dictionaries larger than 4 GB.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
Dictionary content
The Windows installer does not include local dictionaries, which users download separately.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Dictionary formats
It supports Babylon BGL, StarDict, dictd, ABBYY Lingvo DSL, and Lingvo audio archives.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Hotkeys
Global hotkeys can open the program or translate text from the clipboard.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Maker details
The original site credits Konstantin Isakov and states copyright years 2008–2013; it does not state a headquarters or founding date.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Morphology
Hunspell morphology provides word stemming and spelling suggestions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Platform requirements
GoldenDict-ng requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or macOS 13 or later.Read 5 Oct 2026 · xiaoyifang.github.io
Popup lookup
A scan popup can show a translation for a word selected in another application.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Pronunciation
It supports pronunciation lookup through Forvo and indexed directories of audio files.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
Web lookups
It supports Wikipedia, Wiktionary, other MediaWiki sites, and arbitrary websites through URL templates.Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org

Plans and prices

GoldenDict Free GNU GPLv3+ · dictionary content downloaded separately Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org
GoldenDict mobile version Priced on request Commercial mobile version for Android Read 5 Oct 2026 · goldendict.org

Every GoldenDict plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports several dictionary file formats.
  • Can search Wikipedia and configurable websites.
  • Scan popup translates selected words in other applications.
  • Hunspell provides stemming and spelling suggestions.
  • Free software under GNU GPLv3+.

Limits

  • Windows installer includes no 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 want to combine local dictionaries, web references, and lookups from other applications. It is also relevant to users seeking offline dictionary access and willing to obtain dictionary files separately.

Verdict

GoldenDict brings local dictionaries, web lookups, pronunciation sources, and desktop selection lookup together. Users should note that local dictionary content must be obtained separately, and GoldenDict-ng has minimum operating-system requirements.

Where Specifiction places it

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