Are Dictionary Titles Italicized?
Yes for the title of a dictionary in MLA-style citation contexts; an individual dictionary entry title is put in quotation marks. This answer is style-scoped: distinguish the whole dictionary from an individual entry, and follow another required citation style when applicable.
Yes for the title of a dictionary in MLA-style citation contexts; an individual dictionary entry title is put in quotation marks.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
This answer is style-scoped: distinguish the whole dictionary from an individual entry, and follow another required citation style when applicable.
Further guidance
Example
MLA-style invented example: the entry “estuary” appears in *Harbour English Dictionary*. The entry is quoted; the dictionary title is italicized.
Practical Application
In MLA-style citation contexts, italicize the title of the dictionary as the whole reference work and put the title/headword of an individual entry in quotation marks when the cited pattern calls for it.
Reader Check
Distinguish the container from the entry: “Which dictionary?” and “Which entry?” are separate title levels.
Recommendation
In MLA-style work, italicize the dictionary title and put a cited entry title in quotation marks.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- MLA Works Cited Page: Books (opens in a new tab)Purdue OWL · MLA-oriented guidance and examples treating an anthology or collection as a whole book/container title, supporting italics for the anthology title.