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LDdictionary not working - Printable Version

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LDdictionary not working - jrmrhrb00 - 02-10-2025

LitDev, 

Did you know that the LDDictionary function isn't working? I found that the regular one in small basic doesn't work any longer and then I tried yours and it doesn't work either.

JR

RE: LDdictionary not working - litdev - 02-11-2025

Yeah, Unfortunately these kind of external APIs start free, then aren't or disappear or the API changes.  Same for translation, Flickr and others...

I will have a look sometime over next few days if there is now another alternative for this.

Thank you for reporting.

RE: LDdictionary not working - litdev - 02-11-2025

Interestingly in 2021 this post (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/dictionary-is-missing-from-microsoft-word/1eabfb7d-d085-4b89-9d01-c528e9b5e756) highlights the change I made to update LDDictionary from Dictionary, now using  https://rr.office.microsoft.com/Research/query.asmxbut this doesn't seem to exist/work now - I guess MS changed or deleted it as a viable service - not sure there is much I can do.

Trying to use the Office Research feature in Word (where this comes from I think), I see: "Important: Researcher will be retired starting on January 1, 2025." Huh

RE: LDdictionary not working - jrmrhrb00 - 02-11-2025

LitDev,

Looks like they took it off word too according to this post:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/why-is-dictionary-function-in-word-suddenly-not/7a9c8392-1b4b-493c-be4a-dc9fab59ec85

Maybe the function could be changed to one of the online dictionaries in the LitDev extension.

I hate to see this happen because I know that you try so hard to keep all functions working in regular "Small Basic".

JR

RE: LDdictionary not working - litdev - 02-11-2025

"Maybe the function could be changed to one of the online dictionaries in the LitDev extension."

What are you thinking here, I don't know of any other online dictionaries.

RE: LDdictionary not working - jrmrhrb00 - 02-11-2025

LitDev,

Maybe like the following:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english

This link also has dictionaries that go from one language to another.

I'm sure there is a lot more that can be found.

I also know that the only way to get this working again would be through your extension. Maybe not the exact same, but something along the original design. I wouldn't expect any help from Microsoft. 

JR

RE: LDdictionary not working - litdev - 02-11-2025

Wants to be a free API, I will have a look at this one: https://dictionaryapi.dev/

It is the only one I could find and seems to be just an individual privately hosting it (AWS) at their own expense! https://github.com/meetDeveloper/freeDictionaryAPI

Blaa to MS, Google, Meta, Alphabet and the rest - shame on you.

For translation there is LDTranslate which uses another web API that may not last forever.

RE: LDdictionary not working - jrmrhrb00 - 02-11-2025

LitDev,

Here is what copilot came up with.

where can i find a free dictionary api
There are several free dictionary APIs you can use! Here are a few options:
  1. Merriam-Webster Dictionary API: This API provides comprehensive dictionary and thesaurus content, including definitions, etymologies, audio pronunciations, synonyms, and antonyms. It's free for non-commercial use, with a limit of 1000 queries per day per API key2.
  2. WordsAPI: This API offers definitions, related words, synonyms, pronunciation, and more for English words. The basic plan is free up to 2500 calls per day1.
  3. Urban Dictionary API: This API provides definitions for slang and colloquial terms. It's also free for basic usage1.
  4. Twinword Word Dictionary API: This API offers definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and more for a wide range of words.
  5. GitHub - freedictionaryapi: This is an open-source API that provides definitions, pronunciation, antonyms, synonyms, and examples from Wiktionary.
You can find more information and register for these APIs on their respective websites or platforms1. Do any of these options sound like what you're looking for?
LitDev,

I thought I would try the same thing through deepseek.com.

where can i find a free dictiona

where can i find a free dictionary api



There are several free dictionary APIs available that you can use to look up word definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and more. Here are a few options:
  1. Merriam-Webster Dictionary API:
    • Website: Merriam-Webster API
    • Details: Merriam-Webster offers a free tier for their dictionary API, which provides access to their collegiate dictionary and thesaurus. You need to sign up for an API key.
  2. Oxford Dictionaries API:
    • Website: Oxford Dictionaries API
    • Details: Oxford Dictionaries offers a free tier with limited requests per month. You need to register for an API key.
  3. WordsAPI:
    • Website: WordsAPI
    • Details: WordsAPI provides definitions, synonyms, antonyms, examples, and more. It offers a free tier with limited requests per day. You need to sign up for an API key.
  4. Free Dictionary API:
    • Website: Free Dictionary API
    • Details: This is a simple, free, and open-source API that provides definitions, phonetics, and examples. No API key is required.
  5. Wordnik:
    • Website: Wordnik API
    • Details: Wordnik offers a free tier with a limited number of requests per hour. You need to sign up for an API key.
  6. Datamuse:
    • Website: Datamuse API
    • Details: Datamuse provides a free API for finding words that match a given set of constraints, such as synonyms, antonyms, and more. No API key is required.
  7. API Ninjas Dictionary API:
    • Website: API Ninjas Dictionary API
    • Details: This API provides definitions, synonyms, and examples. It offers a free tier with limited requests per day. You need to sign up for an API key.
When using these APIs, make sure to review their terms of service and usage limits to ensure they meet your needs.

RE: LDdictionary not working - litdev - 02-11-2025

Nice job, I will have alook at these and come up with something similar to Dictionary/LDDistionary

RE: LDdictionary not working - jrmrhrb00 - 02-11-2025

LitDev,
[*]Free Dictionary API
[*] 
Looks like a good one. No API key and it's free!

JR