Dictionary — Brand & Usage Guidelines

🎨

Brand Identity

Dictionary represents clarity, precision, and linguistic excellence. Our visual identity reflects simplicity, modernity, and intellectual depth. Always maintain consistency across all touchpoints.

📌 Core Principle

Language is universal. Our brand should feel welcoming to learners, professionals, and developers alike while maintaining academic credibility.

🎯

Color Palette

Use these colors to maintain visual consistency. Primary colors should be used for key UI elements, while neutral tones support readability.

Primary Indigo

#4F46E5

Secondary Violet

#7C3AED

Accent Pink

#EC4899

Dark Base

#0F172A

Warning Amber

#F59E0B

Success Green

#22C55E

🔤

Typography

Our type system balances readability with elegance. Use Playfair Display for headings and Inter for body text. Monospace is reserved for code and technical data.

Display Playfair Display / 700

Dictionary

H1 Playfair Display / 700

Master Language

H2 Playfair Display / 600

Clear Definitions

Body Inter / 400

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog near the riverbank.

Small Inter / 400

Usage notes, captions, and metadata should use this size.

Code JetBrains Mono / 400

fetch('/api/v1/define') .headers = {'Authorization': 'Bearer key'}

🗣️

Voice & Tone

Our voice is authoritative yet approachable. We avoid jargon unless necessary, and always prioritize clarity over cleverness.

✅ Preferred Tone

Direct, helpful, precise, and inclusive. Use active voice. Explain complex linguistic concepts in plain English. Example: "This word originated in Middle English around the 14th century."

⚠️ Avoid

Condescension, excessive slang, ambiguous phrasing, and overly academic language without context. Example: "It is a widely recognized linguistic phenomenon..." → "It's a common word pattern..."

⚖️

Platform Usage Rules

Guidelines for using Dictionary's web and mobile applications responsibly.

✓ Do

Use the search function for quick lookups and etymology research.

Save words to personal collections for offline study.

Report inaccuracies via the feedback button on any definition.

Respect rate limits: 100 requests/minute for free accounts.

✗ Don't

Scrape or automate data extraction without API access.

Submit offensive, copyrighted, or unverified content as definitions.

Share account credentials or use shared logins in public spaces.

Use Dictionary for bulk translation without an Enterprise plan.

⚡

API Guidelines

Dictionary's REST API provides programmatic access to definitions, synonyms, pronunciation audio, and multilingual translations.

JavaScript / Fetch

const response = await fetch('https://api.dictionary.com/v1/define/ephemeral', {
  headers: {
    'Authorization': `Bearer ${API_KEY}`,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  }
});

const data = await response.json();
console.log(data.meanings[0].definition);

📡 Rate Limits & Authentication

All requests require a valid API key in the Authorization header. Free tier: 100 req/min. Pro: 1,000 req/min. Enterprise: Custom limits. Implement exponential backoff for 429 responses.

📝

Content Standards

All user-generated content, community submissions, and third-party integrations must follow these standards.

• Accuracy: Definitions must cite reliable sources (Oxford, Merriam-Webster, academic journals).
• Neutrality: Avoid subjective language, political bias, or cultural assumptions.
• Format: Use markdown for examples. Include phonetic transcriptions using IPA standards.
• Licensing: All contributions are shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Commercial use requires explicit permission.

🤝

Community Standards

Dictionary thrives because of its global community of linguists, educators, and language enthusiasts.

Harassment, hate speech, spam, doxxing, and posting unverified or malicious content. Violations result in warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent bans depending on severity.

Use the "Report" button on any profile, comment, or definition. Our moderation team reviews all reports within 24 hours. For urgent issues, contact trust@safety.dictionary.com.

Direct commercial use of definitions is restricted under our licensing terms. Educational, nonprofit, and personal use is encouraged. Contact partnerships@dictionary.com for commercial licensing inquiries.

❓

Frequently Asked Questions

Our core database receives bi-weekly updates. New words, slang, and regional variants are reviewed by our linguistic board and added within 30 days of approval.

Yes. Accredited universities and schools can apply for free API access through our Education Program. Apply at dictionary.com/education with your institutional email.

No. The Dictionary logo and brand assets are protected trademarks. Unauthorized use for commercial merchandise is strictly prohibited. Use our official swag store or apply for licensed merch rights.