Dictionary.com shuts down premium app after selling lifetime subscriptions

On 17 July 2025, Dictionary.com abruptly shut down the premium ad-free version of their app after selling lifetime subscriptions, including the loss of data such as user word lists and features like offline accessibility to a dictionary.^[1]^[2] They continue to run an ad-supported app.

Background

Dictionary.com offered two dictionary apps, one a free to use ad-supported version and another premium version that allowed for downloading the dictionary for offline use and an ad-free experience. The premium version was offered as a one-time purchase for a lifetime subscription.

Premium app shutdown

Dictionary.com removed the paid premium app from the app stores without warning and removed all functionality from already-installed users, which also included disabling the offline dictionary. The free ad-supported version of the app is still available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Dictionary.com's response

When contacted, Dictionary.com support e-mailed an affected customer the following response:

After careful consideration, user accounts within the Dictionary.com app have been discontinued. As a result, users are no longer able to sign in to their accounts, and any saved word lists are no longer available.
Unfortunately, since the coding technology that was used in the previous app version is different from what is used in the new app, it is not possible to recover word lists.
This change was part of our recent app update to improve the design, speed, and functionality of the Dictionary.com app. While we understand that this changes how you use Dictionary.com, we are hopeful that you will find the overall improvements provide faster search, additional content, and a better design.^[1]

Consumer response

The reaction was deeply negative, with customers voicing frustration that what they'd paid for had been taken away from them and that no refunds were issued. A particular point of contention was that no warning was given nor an option available to export their word lists.^[3] Despite the app having issues in the year or so leading up to the shutdown, those using the offline option mostly had a good experience and found it very useful.^[4]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Harding, Scharon (17 Jul 2025). "Dictionary.com "devastated" paid users by abruptly deleting saved words lists". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 28 Dec 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
↑ Vasquez, Juan (18 Jul 2025). "Dictionary.com Abruptly Shuts Down Premium Apps, Deleting User Data and Sparking Subscriber Outrage". WebProNews. Archived from the original on 10 Aug 2025. Retrieved 6 Sep 2025.
↑ E_Rujii (9 May 2025). "Dictionary.com Update?". Reddit. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
↑ Ao3y (10 Aug 2024). "Dictionary.com App broken?". Reddit. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Harding, Scharon (17 Jul 2025). "Dictionary.com "devastated" paid users by abruptly deleting saved words lists". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 28 Dec 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2026.

[2] Vasquez, Juan (18 Jul 2025). "Dictionary.com Abruptly Shuts Down Premium Apps, Deleting User Data and Sparking Subscriber Outrage". WebProNews. Archived from the original on 10 Aug 2025. Retrieved 6 Sep 2025.

[3] E_Rujii (9 May 2025). "Dictionary.com Update?". Reddit. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.

[4] Ao3y (10 Aug 2024). "Dictionary.com App broken?". Reddit. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

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