Hello there! I'm a lexicographer and have been fascinated by the evolution of language and technology for years. Your question about Apple's dictionary usage is quite intriguing. It might seem straightforward, but it's a bit more nuanced than you might think.

Let's unpack this. When we talk about a dictionary on a device like an iPhone or a Mac, we're usually referring to the data that fuels various language-related functions. This includes:

* Spell Check: The system that flags potentially misspelled words as you type.
* Autocorrect: The feature that suggests corrections or automatically replaces misspelled words.
* Dictionary Definition Lookup: The ability to highlight a word and get its meaning, often through a "Define" option.
* Hyphenation and Syllabification: Determining where to break words at the end of lines or how to divide them into syllables.
* Text-to-Speech: The engine that dictates text aloud needs to know how to pronounce words correctly.

Now, Apple doesn't create its own dictionaries from scratch. Instead, they license data from well-established lexicographical sources. Over the years, they've worked with companies like:

* Oxford University Press: Renowned for its authoritative dictionaries, especially the Oxford English Dictionary.
* New Oxford American Dictionary: A US-English dictionary also published by Oxford University Press.
* Collins Dictionary: Another highly regarded dictionary publisher, particularly strong in British English.

The specific dictionary used can vary depending on factors like:

* Device Language: The primary language set on your iPhone or Mac significantly influences the dictionary data used.
* Region: Apple tailors its language data to different regions (e.g., US, UK, Canada, Australia) to account for regional spelling and vocabulary variations.
* Operating System Version: Apple may update its dictionary data with new releases of iOS or macOS.

It's also important to note that Apple doesn't publicly disclose the exact dictionaries used for each language and region. They likely do this to protect their agreements with lexicographical partners and prevent unauthorized copying.

In essence, when you ask "Which dictionary is used on Apple?", there isn't a single, universal answer. It's more accurate to say that Apple utilizes a combination of licensed dictionary data from reputable sources, tailored to your device's language, region, and operating system.

Let me know if you have any more questions about dictionaries or how language technology works! I'm always happy to delve into the fascinating world of words.
read more >>

The application provides definitions and synonyms from various dictionaries, Wikipedia articles and a glossary of Apple-related terms. Dictionary was introduced in OS X 10.4 with the New Oxford American Dictionary and Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus (as well as the Wikipedia and Apple sections).read more >>