Introduction

Citing a dictionary is an essential part of the academic writing process. A proper citation helps maintain the integrity of your work and gives credit to the original source. In the American Psychological Association (APA) format, there are four main ways to cite a dictionary. This article will walk you through each of these methods, providing step-by-step guidance on how to create accurate and consistent citations for your research papers.

1. Citing an Online Dictionary

When citing an online dictionary, be sure to include the following components in your citation:

– Author(s) or Editor(s)

– Publication year

– Entry title

– Dictionary title

– URL

Here’s a sample citation for an online dictionary:

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Empathy. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy

2. Citing a Print Dictionary

For a print dictionary, you’ll need to provide the following information in your citation:

– Author(s) or Editor(s)

– Publication year

– Entry title

– Volume number (if applicable)

– Dictionary title

– Publisher name and location

Sample citation for a print dictionary:

Random House. (2001). Empathy. In Random House Webster’s unabridged dictionary (2nd ed.). Random House.

3. Citing a Dictionary Entry in an eBook

An eBook dictionary citation will require the following components:

– Author(s) or Editor(s)

– Publication year

– Entry title

– Dictionary title

– DOI or URL (if available)

Example of an eBook dictionary citation:

Oxford University Press. (2016). Empathy. In Oxford English dictionary (3rd ed.). Retrieved from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/61272

4. Citing a Dictionary Entry with No Author

When the dictionary entry you are citing doesn’t have a specific author, follow these guidelines:

– Begin with the entry title instead of the author

– Provide the publication year

– Mention the dictionary title

– Add volume number (if applicable)

– Include publisher information (for print) or URL/DOI (for online)

Sample citation for a dictionary entry without an author:

Empathy. (2009). In The American heritage dictionary of the English language (5th ed.). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Conclusion

Citing dictionaries in APA format can seem complex, but remember to pay attention to each required component and follow the examples provided. Consistently using accurate citations in your research will not only maintain the integrity of your work but also demonstrate your proficiency in academic writing.