1. Home
  2. Education
  3. French Language

Monolingual French Dictionaries - French-only dictionaries

French-only dictionaries are your best bet for accurate and thorough definitions.
Top Monolingual French Dictionaries
Once you're at least intermediate, you need to think about investing in a French-only dictionary. Bilingual dictionaries are a great tool, but the're not infallible. The following monolingual dictionaries are listed from most to least complete.
Ultralingua French Dictionary and Thesaurus
This free monolingual French dictionary provides over 200,000 definitions, inlcuding thousands of idiomatic expressions and a complete French thesaurus.
ARTFL Project - Dictionnaires d'autrefois
Database including three editions of the Dictionnaire de l'Académie française and Jean Nicot's Thresor de la langue française into a searchable dictionary, allowing French speakers to study the evolution of French vocabulary.
Dictionnaire multifonctions
Search for definitions, synonyms, and more with this French dictionary from TV5Monde. You can also download their dictionary toolbar to your computer (PC or Mac).
Dictionnaire des synonymes
An online French thesaurus, from the Centre national de la recherche scientifique at the Université de Caen.
Trésor de la langue française (TLFI)
Extremely detailed information about French words, including etymology, statistics, and of course elaborate definitions. Choose between slow and high-speed online access, type your word, and learn.

Explore French Language

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. French Language
  4. French Dictionaries
  5. French-French Dictionaries

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.