Ask buys a dictionary

Search engine Ask.com has completed its acquisition of Dictionary.com, the online language and spelling aid.

The search site, owned by IAC and better known to may users as Ask Jeeves, has bought California-based Lexico Publishing, the owner of both Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com.

Lexico started Dictionary.com in 1995, followed by Thesaurus.com in 1996 and in 2002 began Reference.com. For users who know what they mean but can't recall the term, it also offers a Reverse Dictionary.

Ask.com said the deal will add around 15 million users its overall audience. According to traffic data from comScore, that would make Ask.com the ninth-largest web property globally based on unique users.

Dictionary.com is the fifth most-visited reference site among US. Web users, according to data from online audience measurement site Hitwise. Reference.com is 39th most visited and Thesaurus.com ranks 47th.

The influence of Ask.com within e-commerce conglomerate IAC is growing as plans to spin off four of its largest businesses and focus on web media and advertising in coming months.

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