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How to Cite a Word From a Dictionary

If you want to cite the definition of a word from a dictionary in the "Works Cited" page on an educational document you're writing, you must do so in a very specific way. This method both lets you cite the actual definition as well as the specific dictionary that the definition was found in. This information is important because certain dictionaries may define terms in slightly different ways.

Instructions

- 1
  Type the name of the word you are citing from the dictionary in quotation marks followed by a period. Type a space and then continue.
- 2
  Type the name of the dictionary you are citing in italics. Place a period after the dictionary name. Type a space and then continue.
- 3
  Type the year in which the dictionary was published. This information will be on the cover of the dictionary. If you are citing a print dictionary, you are finished. If you are citing an online dictionary, continue to "Step 4."
- 4
  Type the date on which you looked up the definition for your word, formatted as "Day, Month, Year." Type a space and then type the full URL Web address of the word you are citing from the dictionary.

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