Welsh language dictionaries and thesaurus

The Welsh Academy Dictionary is an online English to Welsh dictionary. 

What it is used for

You can use this to get:

• the Welsh equivalent of an English word
• the plural form of a Welsh word
• examples of how English words can be translated in different contexts
• Welsh phrases that contain the word you’ve searched for 

Suggested audience

• Parents and carers.
• Students.
• Teachers and tutors.
• Welsh learners or new speakers.
• Businesses.
• People drafting materials in Welsh.
• People using Welsh at work.
• Academics.
• Translators.

The Bangor Dictionary is available online and to download as an app. Search for Ap Geiriaduron for iOS or Android. 

What it is used for

You can use it to:

• search for an English word to find the equivalent Welsh word
• search for a Welsh word to find the equivalent English word
• find the plural form of a word

Suggested audience

• Parents and carers.
• Children.
• Students.
• Teachers and tutors.
• Welsh learners or new speakers.
• Businesses.
• People drafting materials in Welsh.
• People using Welsh at work.
• Academics.
• Translators.

The University of Wales Dictionary is the standard historical Welsh dictionary. It’s similar to the Oxford English Dictionary but for Welsh. It is available online and as an app for your phone or tablet.

New speakers and people with less experience of Welsh, may prefer one of the other dictionaries.

What it is used for

You can use it to:

• see Welsh definitions of words and their meanings in English
• check the spelling of a word and its gender or plural forms
• find out how words and phrases have changed over time, get more detailed information and background compared to what you find in other dictionaries

Suggested audience

• Students.
• Teachers and tutors.
• Academics.
• Readers and writers.
• Translators.

University of Wales Trinity St David Dictionary is a quick-reference online dictionary for English and Welsh.

What it is used for

You can use it to:

• find what words and phrases are in the other language
• access pronunciation recordings for some words

Suggested audience

• Parents and carers.
• Children.
• Students.
• Teachers and tutors.
• Welsh learners or new speakers.
• Businesses.
• People drafting materials in Welsh.
• People using Welsh at work.
• Academics.
• Translators.

Y Gweiadur includes a Welsh to English and English to Welsh dictionary, which give definitions and pronunciation help through audio-clips.

What it is used for

You can use it to:

• find corresponding Welsh and English words
• find the meanings of mutated, plural and conjugated words
• access a dictionary portal which enables you to search several resources from one place

Suggested audience

• Parents and carers.
• Children.
• Students.
• Teachers and tutors.
• Welsh learners or new speakers.
• Businesses.
• People drafting materials in Welsh.
• People using Welsh at work.
• Academics.
• Translators.

A thesaurus lists words with similar meanings. These are called synonyms (for example ‘happy’ is a synonym for ‘joyful’). It is also used to find alternative words to express ideas more precisely or to avoid repeating the same word. 

Y Gweiadur includes a Welsh-only thesaurus (which gives Welsh synonyms for Welsh words) and an English to Welsh thesaurus (which gives Welsh synonyms for English words). 

Suggested audience

• Parents and carers.
• Children.
• Students.
• Teachers and tutors.
• Welsh learners or new speakers.
• Businesses.
• People drafting materials in Welsh.
• People using Welsh in work.
• Academics.
• Translators.