WantWords
Reverse dictionary: find words from descriptions
WantWords is the best free reverse dictionary for Chinese-English users. Its semantic search and filters beat any thesaurus, but the lack of API or integrations limits it to casual use. Perfect for writers and learners, not for automated workflows.
- Writers looking for alternative word choices or overcoming writer's block
- Translators needing accurate equivalents between Chinese and English
- Language learners expanding vocabulary through meaning-based search
- Anyone experiencing tip-of-the-tongue moments with Chinese or English
- Users needing a visual dictionary with images or illustrations
- Those requiring offline access or desktop application
- Advanced AI writing assistants requiring API or premium features
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In short
WantWords — Reverse dictionary: find words from descriptions. Best for Writers looking for alternative word choices or overcoming writer's block, Translators needing accurate equivalents between Chinese and English, Language learners expanding vocabulary through meaning-based search. Free to use.
Viability Score
How likely is WantWords to still be operational in 12 months? Based on 4 signals — momentum (how recently it shipped), wrapper dependency, revenue model, and web presence.
Last calculated: July 2026
How we score →Key Features
- Chinese-Chinese reverse dictionary (汉-汉)
- Chinese-English reverse dictionary (汉-英)
- English-Chinese reverse dictionary (英-汉)
- English-English reverse dictionary (英-英)
- Filter by part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, idiom, phrase)
- Filter by word length or stroke count (Chinese)
- Sort by relevance, pinyin, strokes, alphabet, or cluster
- Cluster view grouping similar results
- Material library for example sentences from People's Daily
- Open-source project on GitHub
- No registration or login required
- Mobile app available (语鲸, AI assistant)
- Semantic search using deep learning
- Multi-language input: Chinese or English descriptions
About WantWords
WantWords is an open-source reverse dictionary developed by THUNLP (Tsinghua Natural Language Processing Lab). It lets you input a description, keywords, or a vague concept and returns matching words or phrases. Unlike traditional dictionaries, it bridges the gap between thought and expression—ideal for writers, translators, and language learners. The tool supports four language pairs: Chinese (汉-汉), Chinese-English (汉-英), English-Chinese (英-汉), and English (英-英). Results can be filtered by part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, idiom, phrase), word length, strokes (for Chinese), and sorted by relevance, pinyin, strokes, alphabet, or cluster. A cluster view groups results by meaning, and the material library provides example sentences from authoritative Chinese sources like People's Daily. WantWords is completely free, no registration required, and the project is open-source on GitHub. It also offers a related mobile app, 语鲸 (Yu Jing), an AI-powered personalized information assistant. The tool excels at meaning-based search using deep learning, making it ideal for overcoming tip-of-the-tongue moments or generating creative vocabulary. Compared to traditional thesauruses, WantWords handles multi-word concepts and vague descriptions. However, it lacks API access, premium tiers, and visual dictionaries. It's best as a quick, free word-finding aid rather than a professional translation suite.
Behind the Verdict
WantWords fills a real gap: you know what you want to say but not the word. Instead of flipping through a thesaurus, you type 'feeling of sadness after a good thing ends' and get 'bittersweet nostalgia' (in Chinese or English). The semantic matching is surprisingly good for a free tool. Pick it when you're writing, translating, or studying Chinese-English vocabulary. The cluster view groups related words, helping you discover nuances. The material library is a gem for finding authentic example sentences from official Chinese sources. Skip it if you need an API for automation, or if you work primarily in English-only contexts—the English reverse dictionary is functional but not as robust as dedicated English tools like OneLook. Compared to OneLook, WantWords supports multiple Chinese pairs and offers finer filters (strokes, pinyin). OneLook has more English coverage and an API. WantWords is better for Chinese-related work. Real-world caveat: The web interface is clean but a bit dated. The mobile app '语鲸' is separate and more of an AI assistant than a reverse dictionary. No offline mode, no cloud sync, no premium upgrades. It's open-source, so you could self-host or contribute. But for most, the free hosted version is enough. WantWords is a niche, excellent tool—use it when you're stuck on a word.
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Use Cases
- Describe a concept you can't name and get a list of related words in Chinese or English.
- Find synonyms or alternatives for overused words in your writing.
- Look up example sentences from authoritative Chinese sources for academic or professional writing.
- Explore word clusters to discover nuanced meanings and related terms.
- Practice vocabulary by entering descriptions and comparing results across languages.
Limitations
- WantWords is only available as a web app and mobile app (语鲸).
- There is no API for developers, and the English reverse dictionary is less robust than the Chinese versions.
- The tool does not support offline use, and the material library is only available for Chinese.
- Rate limiting is not documented but may be present for heavy use.
12-month cost
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