Merriam-Webster Plus
Easily get word definitions, synonyms/antonyms, usage examples, audio pronunciations, and more.
Optimizes core Merriam-Webster APIs to create a singular lexical resource with maximal parts-of-dictionary-entry coverage.
E.g. running 800 words from an official spelling bee list shows the following primary-entry coverage for Merriam-Webster Plus vs. its component sources:
| Lexical Resource | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merriam-Webster Plus | 99% | 99% | 87% | 92% |
| Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary | 94% | 94% | 59% | 89% |
| Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus | 87% | 87% | 82% | 0% |
Usage
Set environment variables for COLLEGIATE_DICTIONARY_API_KEY and COLLEGIATE_THESAURUS_API_KEY with eponymous keys from https://dictionaryapi.com/register/index.
>> require "merriam_webster_plus"
>> lookup = MerriamWebsterPlus::DictionaryPlus.new(word: "run")>> puts lookup.primary_entry.to_yaml
---
:word: run
:class: verb
:definition: to go at a pace faster than a walk
:example: we ran all the way to the bus stop, but still missed the bus
:audio: https://media.merriam-webster.com/audio/prons/en/us/mp3/r/run00001.mp3
>> puts lookup.entries.to_yaml
---
- :word: run
:class: verb
:audio: https://media.merriam-webster.com/audio/prons/en/us/mp3/r/run00001.mp3
:senses:
- - 1
- :definition: to go at a pace faster than a walk
:synonyms: dash, gallop, jog, scamper, sprint, trip, trot
:related_words: bound, canter, leap, lope, shag, skip, spring
:near_antonyms: amble, saunter, shamble, shuffle, stroll
:example: we ran all the way to the bus stop, but still missed the bus
- - 2
- :definition: to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
:synonyms: bolt, break, bug out, flee, fly, hightail (it), retreat, run away,
run off, skedaddle
:related_words: abscond, clear out, decamp, elope, escape, get (away), get out,
lam, light out, make off, mizzle, scarper, scat, scram, skip (out), skirr
:synonymous_phrases: beat a retreat, beat it, make tracks, turn tail
:near_antonyms: beard, brave, confront, dare, defy, face
:example: rather than run from a black bear, it's better to hold your ground
and make lots of noise
- - 3
- :definition: to be positioned along a certain course or in a certain direction
:synonyms: bear, extend, go, head, lead, lie
:related_words: cross, cut, pass
:example: the road runs along the river for a while
- :word: run
:class: noun
:audio: https://media.merriam-webster.com/audio/prons/en/us/mp3/r/run00001.mp3
:senses:
- - 1
- :definition: a prevailing or general movement or inclination
:synonyms: current, direction, drift, leaning, tendency, tide, trend, wind
:related_words: curve, downside, shift, swing, turn, turnabout, upside
:example: the company's stock has remained consistent with the overall run of
the market
- - 2
- :definition: a natural body of running water smaller than a river
:synonyms: beck, bourn, brook, brooklet, burn, creek, gill, rill, rivulet, runlet,
runnel, streamlet
:related_words: arroyo, billabong, fresh, freshet, runoff
:example: a run full of catfish
- - 3
- :definition: the period during which something exists, lasts, or is in progress
:synonyms: continuance, date, duration, life, life span, lifetime, standing,
time
:related_words: spell, stretch
:example: the actor has been assigned the part for the run of the show
Contributing
Bug reports and pull requests are welcome on GitHub at https://github.com/CRiSToBaLZ/merriam_webster_plus.
License
The gem is available as open source under the terms of the MIT License.