What Is an Internet Dictionary and How Do You Use One to Look Up Internet Terms?

An Internet dictionary is a reference site that defines computer, web, and online-culture vocabulary — terms like "bandwidth," "phishing," or "BRB" — rather than general English words. You use one by typing a term into its search box or browsing an alphabetical index, then reading the entry. It's worth using instead of a general search engine when you need a stable, jargon-focused definition of an acronym, text-messaging shorthand, or smiley, and when you want related terms grouped together. NetLingo is one example: it describes itself as containing thousands of definitions about computers, the internet, and the online world of business, technology, and communication, including one of the largest collections of text-messaging terms, acronyms, and smileys.

How an Internet dictionary differs from a general dictionary

A general dictionary covers standard language and adds new tech words slowly. An Internet dictionary is built around the online world from the start, so it tends to include:

• Computer and web terms — hardware, software, networking, and web concepts.
• Acronyms and abbreviations — chat and messaging shortcuts such as "LOL" or "BRB."
• Smileys and emoticons — the text symbols used to convey tone, like :-).
• Business and technology vocabulary — terms from the online business and communication world.

That focus is the main reason to reach for one: the entry you want is more likely to exist, and it's defined in the context you're actually encountering it.

How to look up a term

The basic loop is the same on most Internet dictionaries, including NetLingo:

1. Identify the exact string. For an acronym, note the capitalization and punctuation you saw, since entries are usually listed by the term itself.
2. Search or browse. Type the term into the site's search field, or open the alphabetical index and jump to the starting letter.
3. Read the entry. Check the definition and any notes on usage or context.
4. Follow related entries. If the definition references another term, look that up too — this is how you build up a working vocabulary.

Expected result: you get a definition written for online/tech usage, plus pointers to connected terms, instead of a wall of unrelated search results.

Features worth knowing about

Some Internet dictionaries publish rotating featured entries that double as a low-effort way to learn:

• Word of the day — one term highlighted daily.
• Acronym of the day — one abbreviation highlighted daily.

These are useful if you don't have a specific term in mind and just want to expand your vocabulary a little at a time.

Internet dictionary vs. general search engine

Use an Internet dictionary when the question is "what does this online term mean?" Use a search engine when the question is "what's happening with this term right now?" or when you need sources beyond a definition.

Common snags

• Acronyms collide. The same letters can stand for different things in different communities, so read the entry's context rather than assuming the first match is yours.
• Slang ages fast. Some entries reflect usage from a particular era; treat older chat shorthand as historical if you don't see it in current conversations.
• Spelling varies. Try alternate spellings or the expanded form if a search comes up empty.

If you want a single starting point, NetLingo's combination of computer terms, acronyms, and smileys makes it a reasonable first stop for decoding something you just saw online.