Macquarie Dictionary

Macquarie Dictionary Australia's National Dictionary

Word of the Year: https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/word-of-the-year/word-of-the-year-2024/

The Macquarie Dictionary was first published in print in 1981 and has been online since 2003. Its reputation has gone from strength to strength and it is now nationally and internationally regarded as the standard reference on Australian English. The Macquarie Dictionary features:

* easy, comprehensive and interactive searching
* annual updates of words, definitions and encyclopedic entries
* re

gionalisms from around Australia
* etymologies of words and phrases
* extensive usage notes
* loads of extra features

At the Macquarie Dictionary, when a new word or new use of a word is brought to our attention, we investigate to decide ...
04/03/2025

At the Macquarie Dictionary, when a new word or new use of a word is brought to our attention, we investigate to decide if it warrants an entry in the Macquarie and an official place in the Australian lexicon. Here are five words that are currently under consideration for entry into the Macquarie Dictionary – let us know what you think!

souchong: a variety of black tea grown in India, Sri Lanka and China.
03/03/2025

souchong: a variety of black tea grown in India, Sri Lanka and China.

misconstrue: to construe wrongly; take in a wrong sense; misinterpret; misunderstand.
27/02/2025

misconstrue: to construe wrongly; take in a wrong sense; misinterpret; misunderstand.

26/02/2025

polymerous: composed of many parts.

crossbones: two bones placed crosswise, usually below a skull, symbolising death.
25/02/2025

crossbones: two bones placed crosswise, usually below a skull, symbolising death.

24/02/2025

fructiferous: fruit-bearing; producing fruit.

23/02/2025

conspecific: belonging to the same species.

22/02/2025

politicking: political campaigning or agitating, especially in an attempt to gain publicity and win votes.

21/02/2025

winterkill: to kill by exposure to the cold of winter, as wheat.

21/02/2025

wobbleboard: a novelty musical instrument, consisting of a thin sheet of hardboard shaken to create a low-pitched rhythmic oscillation.

20/02/2025

ranunculus: any plant of the large and widely distributed genus Ranunculus, comprising herbs with leaves mostly divided, and flowers, commonly yellow, with five petals; crowfoot; buttercup.

19/02/2025

thermotaxis: the movement of an organism towards or away from a source of heat.

18/02/2025

exogenesis: the origin (of a disease) from causes external to the body.

17/02/2025

rotunda: a round building, especially one with a dome.

15/02/2025

diffraction: a modification that light or other radiation undergoes when it passes by the edge of an opaque body, or is sent through small apertures, resulting in the formation of a series of light and dark bands, prismatic colours, or spectra.

14/02/2025

knackwurst: a short, thick, highly seasoned sausage like a frankfurter.

13/02/2025

aerobatics: stunts carried out by aircraft; aerial acrobatics.

12/02/2025

anticatalyst: a substance which prevents or slows a chemical reaction (opposed to ‘catalyst’).

Address

Level 25, 1 Market Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Macquarie Dictionary posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Macquarie Dictionary:

Videos

The Macquarie Dictionary is nationally and internationally regarded as the standard reference on Australian English. An up-to-date account of our variety of English, it not only includes words and senses peculiar to Australian English, but also those common to the whole English-speaking world. The Ninth Edition of the Macquarie Dictionary is a comprehensive and up-to-date account of Australian English, available for pre-order now.

Junior Atlas of Indigenous Australia - out now!
Junior Atlas of Indigenous Australia - out now!

The Junior Atlas of Indigenous Australia is a collaborative publication between the Australian National University, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Macquarie Dictionary. It is based upon the award-winning Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia and the Macquarie Atlas of Indigenous Australia Second Edition. The content has been adapted to suit a younger audience. It includes contributions from more than 40 authors from a wide variety of places and professions - from universities, the arts world, Indigenous organisations and the public service. https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760984717/junior-atlas-of-indigenous-australia/

Indigenous Literacy Day 2019
Indigenous Literacy Day 2019

Happy Indigenous Literacy Day! Today, The Indigenous Literacy Foundation shares an important story. A story that is told by the communities that they work with, that celebrates the joy, excitement and power of the books that they produce. To support Indigenous Literacy Day, please make a donation so every child has equal access to books in their language. https://bit.ly/2NrwtzA #ILD2019 #voicesofthefuture

These are the perfect Xmas gift! In levels for grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 with heaps of fun puzzles, games and of course, everyone's fave, #spelling!

Word for Word Season 2 podcast
Word for Word Season 2 podcast

That’s a wrap for this season of our #podcast Word for Word. We love exploring the quirks of Australian English with you. Don’t forget to subscribe because it’s a great listen AND there are bonus eps coming soon! 🎧 https://goo.gl/MMyPSB

Word for Word season 2 trailer out now
Word for Word season 2 trailer out now

Our #podcast Word for Word is back for season 2! First ep drops next week. Listen to the trailer and subscribe. http://ow.ly/wp3q30eM3zy

Shortcuts

Share

Category