Linguee

Linguee is a free dictionary and translation-search service from DeepL, centered on English–German lookups and supported by mobile apps. It suits learners, travelers, and writers who need contextual alternatives rather than a bare gloss. Its strongest case is broad, example-rich reference lookup; it is less suitable when a translation must be treated as authoritative.

Overview

Linguee combines dictionary entries with a search covering 1,000,000,000 translations. Private and business use costs nothing, and the same search interface is available on the website and in its iPhone, iPad, and Android apps. That makes it a practical general reference for occasional lookups as well as regular language study.

The service is developed and provided by DeepL SE in Cologne. DeepL says website connections are encrypted and that technical and organizational safeguards protect data. Its privacy policy covers applicable rules including the GDPR and the German Federal Data Protection Act. Website and app access can involve browser and operating-system details, search terms, and IP addresses; full IP addresses are retained for a maximum of 14 days.

Key features

Entries show translations, alternatives, and example sentences for different situations. Examples are attributed to external sources, so readers can compare real usage instead of choosing from isolated word equivalents. That context is especially useful for learners and for resolving ambiguous wording.

Pronunciations are recorded by professional speakers, adding listening and speaking value. In the app, suggestions appear as you type and misspelled search terms can be corrected. Editorial dictionaries can be downloaded free and used offline, which is useful during travel or wherever connectivity is unreliable.

The app offers dictionaries for English, French, German, Portuguese, and other languages, with searches in both directions for language pairs. The breadth is helpful, but DeepL does not assume liability for the accuracy of translations offered through Linguee. Treat results as informed reference material and check important wording against context and a qualified reviewer.

Pricing

There is no free trial because the service is already free, and no paid tier or seat allowance is published. DeepL may modify the service at its discretion. The free plan therefore fits anyone wanting unrestricted personal or workplace reference without a subscription, while it offers no contractual assurance that features or service terms will remain unchanged.

Platforms

Linguee runs on the web and has apps for Android, iPhone, and iPad. The mobile apps use the web service’s search interfaces and add downloadable editorial dictionaries for offline use.

Who it's for

Choose Linguee for language learners, translators checking phrasing, travelers, and readers who benefit from examples, alternatives, and spoken pronunciations. It is also a sensible free reference for businesses, since private and business use is included.

Look elsewhere when you need a guaranteed translation, a defined service-level commitment, or confidence that every suggested equivalent is accurate: DeepL explicitly disclaims liability for translation accuracy.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Large search corpus: 1,000,000,000 translations give common lookups substantial coverage.
• Context beyond definitions: Alternatives and externally sourced examples help distinguish meanings and usage.
• Useful mobile study tools: Professional audio, typing suggestions, typo correction, and free offline editorial dictionaries support learning away from a connection.
• No usage charge: Private and business use are free.

Cons

• Not an authority for high-stakes wording: DeepL accepts no liability for translation accuracy.
• Service can change: The free plan states that DeepL may modify the service at its discretion.
• Technical data collection: Access involves search terms and device data, with full IP addresses retained for up to 14 days.
• Cookie choices require attention: Necessary, performance, and comfort cookies are used; performance and comfort cookies require explicit consent.

Alternatives

MDBG Chinese Dictionary is the better fit for Chinese-focused dictionary and learning tools, with Android, iOS, web, desktop, and extension support plus a free plan and trial.

ABBYY Lingvo suits readers seeking a freemium dictionary across Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.

dict.cc is a straightforward free browser dictionary with Android and iOS apps and desktop support.

GoldenDict is the choice for users who want a GPLv3+ desktop dictionary and are comfortable downloading dictionary content separately.

Larousse Dictionaries offers free online reference content with an optional premium subscription.

Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries is aimed at learners wanting Oxford’s free online dictionaries and related study tools.

The Free Dictionary is a broader reference portal combining dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias, and translations.

WordWeb fits users wanting a free Windows version with definitions, synonyms, examples, and basic suggestions and translations.

Browse more options in Online Dictionaries.

Verdict

Linguee is an excellent free choice for learners and everyday readers who want translation alternatives grounded in examples, with pronunciation and offline mobile dictionaries as useful extras. Its decisive weakness is the lack of an accuracy guarantee, so anyone responsible for consequential or legally sensitive wording should use it as a reference and look for a more authoritative workflow.