Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is dictionary.net legit or a scam?
AboutUs doesn't label sites "legit" or "a scam": this page lists the dated registration, DNS, HTTPS, mail-authentication and safety checks we could verify, each with its source, so you can decide for yourself.
Who owns dictionary.net?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for dictionary.net. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
Correct a description, link or other detail. Submissions are reviewed before publication.
Lifeline · dictionary.net over time
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 29 years ago · on AboutUs since 2006 · 5 registrar changes since May 29, 2007 · 5 registrant changes since 2007 · last checked Oct 9, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredApr 30, 1997dictionary.net was registered on Apr 30, 1997.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 29, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageJun 20, 2006 – Nov 4, 2013An AboutUs wiki page described dictionary.net from Jun 20, 2006 to Nov 4, 2013 (4 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023Said about itself in 2006
Registrar
TUCOWS, INC.May 29, 2007 – Mar 20, 2011Registrar TUCOWS, INC. in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from May 29, 2007 to Mar 20, 2011.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)123Reg/WebfusionApr 4, 2011 – Jan 2, 2012Registrar 123Reg/Webfusion in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from Apr 4, 2011 to Jan 2, 2012.
Registrant
Registrant recordsMay 29, 2007 – Jun 14, 2026Registration records for dictionary.net are held from May 29, 2007 to Jun 14, 2026 (245 records). 5 changes of registrant name or organization are marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Zone file
Nameservers: bytemark.co.ukMay 29, 2007 – Jun 9, 2011Registration records listed bytemark.co.uk nameservers (a.ns.bytemark.co.uk, b.ns.bytemark.co.uk, c.ns.bytemark.co.uk) for dictionary.net from May 29, 2007 to Jun 9, 2011.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
DigiCert IncDigiCert IncJul 21, 2025 – Aug 28, 2026DigiCert Inc issued 11 certificates for dictionary.net from Jul 21, 2025, the latest valid until Aug 28, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)Let's Encrypt
200020102020Jan ’26Oct ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (33)
Apr 30, 1997Registration: dictionary.net was registered on Apr 30, 1997.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 29, 2026
Jun 20, 2006 – Nov 4, 2013AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described dictionary.net from Jun 20, 2006 to Nov 4, 2013 (4 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jul 1, 2006AboutUs record: “Dictionary.net is a free online english dictionary which offers a search which returns word, and phrase definitions from a variety of dictionary tables.”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
May 29, 2007 – Mar 20, 2011Registrar: Registrar TUCOWS, INC. in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from May 29, 2007 to Mar 20, 2011.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
May 29, 2007 – Jun 14, 2026Registrant: Registration records for dictionary.net are held from May 29, 2007 to Jun 14, 2026 (245 records). 5 changes of registrant name or organization are marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
May 29, 2007 – Jun 9, 2011
Jul 1, 2006
“Dictionary.net is a free online english dictionary which offers a search which returns word, and phrase definitions from a variety of dictionary tables.”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Current AboutUs recordJul 3, 2026 – Aug 29, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 29, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
123-Reg LimitedFeb 14, 2012 – Aug 10, 2012Registrar 123-Reg Limited (IANA 1515) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from Feb 14, 2012 to Aug 10, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
123Reg/WebfusionMar 19, 2013 – Jun 20, 2013Registrar 123Reg/Webfusion in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from Mar 19, 2013 to Jun 20, 2013.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
123-Reg LimitedDec 4, 2013 – Feb 21, 2014Registrar 123-Reg Limited (IANA 1515) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from Dec 4, 2013 to Feb 21, 2014.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
GoDaddy.com, LLCGoDaddy.com, LLCOct 1, 2016 – Oct 22, 2026 (latest)Registrar GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) in the registration data recorded, first on Oct 1, 2016 and most recently on Oct 22, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 29, 2026
Registrant changeMar 7, 2011The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Mar 7, 2011. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Registrant changeApr 4, 2011The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Apr 4, 2011. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Registrant changeMar 28, 2013The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Mar 28, 2013. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Registrant changeOct 1, 2016The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Oct 1, 2016. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Registrant changeMay 10, 2019The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded May 10, 2019. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
5 registrant changes, 2007–2026
Nameservers: 123-reg.co.uk
Jun 13, 2011 – Oct 17, 2013
Registration records listed 123-reg.co.uk nameservers (ns.123-reg.co.uk, ns2.123-reg.co.uk) for dictionary.net from Jun 13, 2011 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.
Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to 123-reg.co.ukJun 13, 2011dictionary.net's nameservers moved from bytemark.co.uk to 123-reg.co.uk between Jun 9, 2011 and Jun 13, 2011. Last seen at bytemark.co.uk: Jun 9, 2011 (registration record). First seen at 123-reg.co.uk: Jun 13, 2011 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: 123-reg.co.ukOct 18, 2013 – Sep 3, 2016123-reg.co.uk (ns.123-reg.co.uk, ns2.123-reg.co.uk) were the nameservers listed for dictionary.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Sep 3, 2016 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: 123-reg.co.ukSep 4, 2016 – Sep 16, 2017Registration records listed 123-reg.co.uk nameservers (ns.123-reg.co.uk, ns2.123-reg.co.uk) for dictionary.net from Sep 4, 2016 to Sep 16, 2017. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: GoDaddyNov 6, 2017 – Apr 2, 2018Registration records listed GoDaddy nameservers (ns41.domaincontrol.com, ns42.domaincontrol.com) for dictionary.net from Nov 6, 2017 to Apr 2, 2018. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to GoDaddyNov 6, 2017dictionary.net's nameservers moved from 123-reg.co.uk to GoDaddy at some point between Sep 16, 2017 and Nov 6, 2017. Last seen at 123-reg.co.uk: Sep 16, 2017 (registration record). First seen at GoDaddy: Nov 6, 2017 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 51 days in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: GoDaddyApr 3, 2018GoDaddy (ns41.domaincontrol.com, ns42.domaincontrol.com) were the nameservers listed for dictionary.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Apr 3, 2018 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: GoDaddyNameservers: GoDaddyApr 4, 2018 – Mar 29, 2025Registration records listed GoDaddy nameservers (ns41.domaincontrol.com, ns42.domaincontrol.com) for dictionary.net from Apr 4, 2018 to Mar 29, 2025. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: sedoparking.comJun 27, 2025 – Nov 12, 2025Registration records listed sedoparking.com nameservers (ns1.sedoparking.com, ns2.sedoparking.com) for dictionary.net from Jun 27, 2025 to Nov 12, 2025.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to sedoparking.comJun 27, 2025dictionary.net's nameservers moved from GoDaddy to sedoparking.com at some point between Mar 29, 2025 and Jun 27, 2025. Last seen at GoDaddy: Mar 29, 2025 (registration record). First seen at sedoparking.com: Jun 27, 2025 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 3 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: CloudflareJan 1, 2026 – Jun 14, 2026Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (nikon.ns.cloudflare.com, reza.ns.cloudflare.com) for dictionary.net from Jan 1, 2026 to Jun 14, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to CloudflareJan 1, 2026dictionary.net's nameservers moved from sedoparking.com to Cloudflare at some point between Nov 12, 2025 and Jan 1, 2026. Last seen at sedoparking.com: Nov 12, 2025 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Jan 1, 2026 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 50 days in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Mar 27, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026
Let's Encrypt issued 3 certificates for dictionary.net from Mar 27, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 3, 2026.
Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Google Trust ServicesMay 25, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026 (latest)Google Trust Services issued 3 certificates for dictionary.net from May 25, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 19, 2026. Seen in use on Oct 9, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Oct 9, 2026
GoDaddy.comOct 6, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026GoDaddy.com issued 2 certificates for dictionary.net from Oct 6, 2026, the latest valid until Apr 22, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Zone file: Registration records listed bytemark.co.uk nameservers (a.ns.bytemark.co.uk, b.ns.bytemark.co.uk, c.ns.bytemark.co.uk) for dictionary.net from May 29, 2007 to Jun 9, 2011.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Mar 7, 2011Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Mar 7, 2011. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Apr 4, 2011 – Jan 2, 2012Registrar: Registrar 123Reg/Webfusion in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from Apr 4, 2011 to Jan 2, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Apr 4, 2011Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Apr 4, 2011. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jun 13, 2011 – Oct 17, 2013Zone file: Registration records listed 123-reg.co.uk nameservers (ns.123-reg.co.uk, ns2.123-reg.co.uk) for dictionary.net from Jun 13, 2011 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jun 13, 2011Zone file: dictionary.net's nameservers moved from bytemark.co.uk to 123-reg.co.uk between Jun 9, 2011 and Jun 13, 2011. Last seen at bytemark.co.uk: Jun 9, 2011 (registration record). First seen at 123-reg.co.uk: Jun 13, 2011 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Feb 14, 2012 – Aug 10, 2012Registrar: Registrar 123-Reg Limited (IANA 1515) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from Feb 14, 2012 to Aug 10, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Mar 19, 2013 – Jun 20, 2013Registrar: Registrar 123Reg/Webfusion in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from Mar 19, 2013 to Jun 20, 2013.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Mar 28, 2013Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Mar 28, 2013. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Oct 18, 2013 – Sep 3, 2016Zone file: 123-reg.co.uk (ns.123-reg.co.uk, ns2.123-reg.co.uk) were the nameservers listed for dictionary.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Sep 3, 2016 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Dec 4, 2013 – Feb 21, 2014Registrar: Registrar 123-Reg Limited (IANA 1515) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for dictionary.net, from Dec 4, 2013 to Feb 21, 2014.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Sep 4, 2016 – Sep 16, 2017Zone file: Registration records listed 123-reg.co.uk nameservers (ns.123-reg.co.uk, ns2.123-reg.co.uk) for dictionary.net from Sep 4, 2016 to Sep 16, 2017. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Oct 1, 2016 – Oct 22, 2026Registrar: Registrar GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) in the registration data recorded, first on Oct 1, 2016 and most recently on Oct 22, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 29, 2026
Oct 1, 2016Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Oct 1, 2016. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Nov 6, 2017 – Apr 2, 2018Zone file: Registration records listed GoDaddy nameservers (ns41.domaincontrol.com, ns42.domaincontrol.com) for dictionary.net from Nov 6, 2017 to Apr 2, 2018. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nov 6, 2017Zone file: dictionary.net's nameservers moved from 123-reg.co.uk to GoDaddy at some point between Sep 16, 2017 and Nov 6, 2017. Last seen at 123-reg.co.uk: Sep 16, 2017 (registration record). First seen at GoDaddy: Nov 6, 2017 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 51 days in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Apr 3, 2018Zone file: GoDaddy (ns41.domaincontrol.com, ns42.domaincontrol.com) were the nameservers listed for dictionary.net at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Apr 3, 2018 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Apr 4, 2018 – Mar 29, 2025Zone file: Registration records listed GoDaddy nameservers (ns41.domaincontrol.com, ns42.domaincontrol.com) for dictionary.net from Apr 4, 2018 to Mar 29, 2025. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
May 10, 2019Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded May 10, 2019. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jun 27, 2025 – Nov 12, 2025Zone file: Registration records listed sedoparking.com nameservers (ns1.sedoparking.com, ns2.sedoparking.com) for dictionary.net from Jun 27, 2025 to Nov 12, 2025.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jun 27, 2025Zone file: dictionary.net's nameservers moved from GoDaddy to sedoparking.com at some point between Mar 29, 2025 and Jun 27, 2025. Last seen at GoDaddy: Mar 29, 2025 (registration record). First seen at sedoparking.com: Jun 27, 2025 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 3 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Jul 21, 2025 – Aug 28, 2026Certificate: DigiCert Inc issued 11 certificates for dictionary.net from Jul 21, 2025, the latest valid until Aug 28, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Jan 1, 2026 – Jun 14, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (nikon.ns.cloudflare.com, reza.ns.cloudflare.com) for dictionary.net from Jan 1, 2026 to Jun 14, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jan 1, 2026Zone file: dictionary.net's nameservers moved from sedoparking.com to Cloudflare at some point between Nov 12, 2025 and Jan 1, 2026. Last seen at sedoparking.com: Nov 12, 2025 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Jan 1, 2026 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 50 days in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Mar 27, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026Certificate: Let's Encrypt issued 3 certificates for dictionary.net from Mar 27, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 3, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
May 25, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026Certificate: Google Trust Services issued 3 certificates for dictionary.net from May 25, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 19, 2026. Seen in use on Oct 9, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Oct 9, 2026
Jul 3, 2026 – Aug 29, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 29, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Oct 6, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026Certificate: GoDaddy.com issued 2 certificates for dictionary.net from Oct 6, 2026, the latest valid until Apr 22, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
3 of 4 safety checks passed (Nov 15, 2026).
Registered 1997 · site is live · HTTPS valid
Dictionary.net Online dictionary that brings info from different dictionaries
Dictionary.net is a free online english dictionary which offers a search which returns word, and phrase definitions from a variety of dictionary tables.
Add the HSTS, Content-Security-Policy, and X-Frame-Options response headers.
AboutUs has not vetted this site. Everything below is what we could measure automatically. Anything you do on the site — paying, sharing personal details, downloading — is between you and the site, not AboutUs.
Current facts
Latest available measurements; dated entries retain their dates. These are measurements, not an endorsement of the site.
latest result
Domain registered Apr 30, 1997 — 29 years old.
latest result
Registrar on record: GoDaddy.com, LLC — unchanged since AboutUs began tracking (Aug 29, 2026).
latest result
HTTPS request succeeded for www.dictionary.net.
checked Sep 30, 2026
The site names Dictionary.net as the organisation behind it.
checked Sep 30, 2026
The live front page reads as an education or reference site that publishes free content supported by ads, mainly for a general audience.
Authority 48/100— ahead of 48% of the August 2026 scored sampleClear
Why this authority score
48 is a percentile: higher than 48% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #852,671)+4
Verified continuity: 29.5 years (RDAP registration)+11
Identity corroboration (capped)+4
Security & email hygiene+2
Calibration adjustment (published map)+5
Model score: 26/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
Published Authority (percentile): 48/100 — this site's rank against the August 2026 scored sample. Public Authority is capped at 99.
What dictionary.net said about itself, 2006
Quoted from the site's AboutUs wiki page in each year it changed (1 version). These are the page's own words at the time, not AboutUs's assessment. New words · dropped words
2006
Dictionary.net is a free online english dictionary which offers a search which returns word, and phrase definitions from a variety of dictionary tables.
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date.
✓ domain continuity 29 years registered✓ live verified Nov 15, 2026
Safety evidence
No unexpired threat-feed result; name-similarity check available (recorded about 77 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 77 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.