What is OneLook?
OneLook is a search engine for words. Type a word and it searches over 800 dictionaries at once and links you to their definitions. It is useful when one dictionary does not have a technical term, a piece of slang or a rare word.
Its best-known feature is the reverse dictionary and thesaurus, where you describe an idea and get a list of matching words, sorted by similarity or other measures. You can also search by pattern, such as words that start with "blue", have a set number of letters or contain given letters, and combine a pattern with a meaning. That makes it popular with writers, crossword solvers and word game players.
Main Features
- Searches over 800 dictionaries from one box
- Reverse dictionary: describe a meaning and get words
- Thesaurus with sort options and filters
- Wildcard patterns for letters and word length
- Unscramble letters
- Pattern and meaning combined in one search
- Saved words and dark mode
- Daily word games and a newsletter
How to Get Started with OneLook
- Go to onelook.com.
- Type a word to find its definitions.
- Switch to the thesaurus and describe an idea to find words for it.
- Try a pattern such as bl????rd for crosswords.
- Use filters to narrow long results.
OneLook Pricing
OneLook is free to use. It needs no account and the site lists no paid plan.
Who Should Use It?
- Writers looking for the right word
- Crossword solvers and word game players
- Students and language learners
- Anyone with a word on the tip of their tongue
OneLook Alternatives
- Hemingway Editor highlights hard-to-read sentences in your writing.
- LanguageTool AI checks grammar and style in several languages.
- Anki is a flashcard app for memorising vocabulary and facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OneLook free?
Yes. Searching is free, with no account and no paid plan listed.
What is a reverse dictionary?
You describe a meaning, and it suggests words that fit, the opposite of looking a word up.
Can it help with crosswords?
Yes. Use ? for an unknown letter and * for any number of letters, as in bl????rd.
Does OneLook write its own definitions?
It mostly points you to entries in many other dictionaries, and shows them in one list.