Point at an unfamiliar word.
Hold the small green ring over the word. A highlight sweeps across it as it’s read.
A little companion for paper books
Stay in
the story.
Point your iPhone at an unfamiliar word in your paper book. Get the meaning, then keep reading.
For iPhone · iOS 17 or later · $1.99 USD
A moment of curiosity
Point. Get the meaning.
Keep reading.
No typing. No switching between apps. Just a quick glance, then back to your book.
Get the meaning.
The dictionary definition appears. Read it at a glance, or explore other meanings when you need to.
Keep reading.
Swipe the definition away and return to your sentence. The camera is ready for the next unfamiliar word.
Made for the way you read
24 book languages.
Read in the language of your book. Download only the dictionaries you need.
Contextual definitions.
When a verified sentence match is ready, see that dictionary meaning first.
How meanings are chosen ↓Offline after setup.
Installed dictionaries and translation packs work offline, whether you’re on a train or in your favourite reading corner.
One-time purchase.
All available dictionaries and translation packs are included. No subscription or in-app purchases.
A little more understanding
Understand the word.
Keep your place.
Let the sentence help.
When a verified sentence match is ready, its dictionary meaning appears first. Other meanings stay within reach, ready to expand.
Sentence matching requires a supported iPhone with Apple Intelligence available on iOS 26 or later. Otherwise, the first dictionary meaning appears.
Words change shape. We follow.
Plurals and conjugations can lead to their dictionary headwords, so the word on the page can take you to the entry you need.
running → runmangeaient → manger
A familiar word beside the meaning.
Reading in English? Add a word translation in your chosen language alongside the English definition. Download its pack once, then use it offline.
Word equivalents vary by word and language. These are individual words, rather than full-page translations.
The definition stays in English.
Choose the language of your book
For the books
you want to read.
Choose from 24 book languages. English definitions are built in; the other dictionaries download when you need them. Select your book’s language, then tap Start reading.
- EnglishBuilt in
- FrançaisFrenchOn demand
- EspañolSpanishOn demand
- PortuguêsPortugueseOn demand
- ItalianoItalianOn demand
- DeutschGermanOn demand
Explore all 24 book languages
- DanskDanishOn demand
- NederlandsDutchOn demand
- Norsk (bokmål)Norwegian BokmålOn demand
- РусскийRussianOn demand
- SvenskaSwedishOn demand
- PolskiPolishOn demand
- ČeštinaCzechOn demand
- 日本語JapaneseOn demand
- ไทยThaiOn demand
- RomânăRomanianOn demand
- Tiếng ViệtVietnameseOn demand
- TürkçeTurkishOn demand
- Bahasa IndonesiaIndonesianOn demand
- 中文 · 简体 / 繁體Chinese — Simplified / TraditionalOn demand
- 한국어KoreanOn demand
- УкраїнськаUkrainianOn demand
- Kurdî (Kurmancî)Kurdish — Kurmanji, Latin scriptOn demand
- Bahasa MelayuMalay — Rumi, Latin scriptOn demand
A word in your language.
Reading an English book? Choose from 24 separate word translation packs: the 23 downloadable book languages above, plus Greek.
An interface that feels familiar.
27 interface localizations, including Canadian French and Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
Greek has an interface and English-word translations, but is not a book language. Kurdish covers Latin-script Kurmanji, not Sorani; Malay covers Latin-script Rumi. Chinese supports Simplified and Traditional text. Coverage varies by word, form and language.
The essentials
Offline.
No tracking.
One purchase.
Take it off the grid.
Installed dictionaries and translation packs work offline, whether you’re on a train or in your favourite reading corner.
Keep your reading to yourself.
Camera images and recognised words stay on your iPhone. No account, advertising, analytics or tracking.
Buy once. Keep reading.
All available dictionaries and translation packs are included. No subscription or in-app purchases.
Does Booktionary work offline?
Yes. English definitions are built in. Download any additional dictionaries or translation packs while you’re online; once installed, they work without a connection. Checking the language catalog also needs internet access.
Which languages can I read?
The 24 book languages are listed above. English is built in; the other 23 dictionaries download separately. Choose the language of your book before reading. Chinese supports Simplified and Traditional text; Kurdish covers Latin-script Kurmanji and Malay covers Rumi.
Can I translate the word or the whole definition?
The current app offers word translations alongside English definitions. Optional full translated definitions for English books are coming in version 1.0.11 for 19 supported destinations, using downloaded language files on iOS 18 or later.
How does the app choose a meaning?
When a verified sentence match is ready, its dictionary meaning appears first. Other meanings stay within reach, ready to expand. Sentence matching requires a supported iPhone with Apple Intelligence available on iOS 26 or later. Otherwise, the first dictionary meaning appears.
Will it work with my iPhone?
Booktionary requires an iPhone running iOS 17 or later. Good light and a clear printed page help the camera recognise words.
Do you collect my reading data?
No. Camera images, recognised words and lookups stay on your device. There are no accounts, ads or analytics. Dictionary downloads contact the content host, which can receive connection details such as your IP address.
Tips
- Good light helps more than anything else.
- If nothing is recognised, move the phone nearer the page. About 15 cm works well.
- A slight tilt is fine. The app reads text at a natural reading angle.
- The ring never moves and never changes colour. It marks where the app is looking; the highlight sweeping across the word is what tells you it has been read.
- Swipe the definition away to return to the camera.
Support
Questions, bugs, or a word it read wrong: fredddv@hotmail.com
For the love of paper books
There’s a good book
waiting for you.
Download on theApp StoreOne-time purchase. No subscription. · For iPhone · iOS 17 or later