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How to Cite a Dictionary With an In-Text Citation in APA
An in-text citation for a dictionary in American Psychological Association style varies slightly according to whether you're quoting the dictionary directly or not. However, any in-text dictionary citation in APA style requires the entry (word) and date of publication. A direct quote also requires a page number.
Indirect and Direct Citations
When referring to a dictionary entry, whether online or in traditional form, include the entry name and publication year at the end of the sentence, before the punctuation, in parentheses. If you quote directly from a traditional dictionary, also include the page number in the citation.
For example: Bone is a hard substance, consisting primarily of calcium, that makes up the majority of the skeleton (Bone, 2015).
A citation for a direct quote would look like this: Healing gods are described as being "patrons of human healers" (Healing gods, 2012, p. 648).
Need help with a citation? Try our citation generator .
- The College of St. Scholastica: Citation Help for APA, 6th Edition: Dictionary
- Simon Fraser University: Citation Guide: APA (6th ed., 2010)
Based in Gatineau, Canada, Kat Walcott has been writing entertainment and informative articles since 2008. Her work has appeared in major publications including Her Campus, Equals6 and Uppercase. She holds an honors diploma in social science from Heritage College and is currently majoring in communication studies and minoring in sexuality studies.
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Indirect and Direct Citations. When referring to a dictionary entry, whether online or in traditional form, include the entry name and publication year at the end of the sentence, before the punctuation, in parentheses. If you quote directly from a traditional dictionary, also include the page number in the citation.