dictionary attack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “dictionary attack” mean?
A cyberattack method that attempts to gain unauthorized access by systematically trying every word or common password from a prepared list (a 'dictionary').
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cyberattack method that attempts to gain unauthorized access by systematically trying every word or common password from a prepared list (a 'dictionary').
A type of brute-force attack used primarily against password authentication systems, where an attacker uses a pre-compiled list of likely passwords (including common words, phrases, and variations) instead of trying all possible character combinations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation differences follow standard BrE/AmE patterns for the constituent words.
Connotations
Identical technical meaning and negative connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “dictionary attack” in a Sentence
[Subject: attacker/tool] carried out a dictionary attack on [Object: system/account].[Subject: System] was compromised via a dictionary attack.To defend against [Object: dictionary attacks].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dictionary attack” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system was dictionary-attacked overnight.
- Attackers can dictionary-attack poorly secured endpoints.
American English
- The server got dictionary-attacked last week.
- Hackers will try to dictionary-attack the admin login.
adverb
British English
- The credentials were compromised dictionary-attack style.
American English
- He gained access, essentially dictionary-attack fashion.
adjective
British English
- We detected dictionary-attack traffic on port 22.
- A dictionary-attack prevention module was installed.
American English
- The logs show dictionary-attack attempts.
- Use a dictionary-attack resistant password policy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in IT security reports and policies regarding password strength and system vulnerabilities.
Academic
Used in computer science papers, cybersecurity research, and cryptography textbooks.
Everyday
Very rare; might be encountered in news articles about data breaches or technology advice columns.
Technical
The primary register. Common in software documentation, penetration testing, and security advisories.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dictionary attack”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dictionary attack”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dictionary attack”
- Incorrect: 'He did a dictionary attack.' (Better: 'He performed/launched a dictionary attack.')
- Incorrect: 'The system was hacked by dictionary.' (Missing 'attack' or 'a dictionary attack').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A brute-force attack tries ALL possible character combinations. A dictionary attack is a smarter, more efficient type of brute-force attack that only tries passwords from a pre-compiled list of likely candidates (the 'dictionary'), such as common words, names, and previously leaked passwords.
Yes. Strong defences include: using long, complex, and unique passwords (passphrases); implementing account lockouts after a few failed attempts; using rate-limiting; and employing multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Attack dictionaries contain lists of common passwords (e.g., '123456', 'password'), words from real dictionaries in multiple languages, names, sports teams, keyboard patterns (e.g., 'qwerty'), and massive sets of passwords previously exposed in data breaches.
Primarily yes, but the core concept—systematically trying known, likely values from a list—can be applied elsewhere, such as guessing encryption keys, API tokens, or filenames in web directories (dirbusting).
A cyberattack method that attempts to gain unauthorized access by systematically trying every word or common password from a prepared list (a 'dictionary').
Dictionary attack is usually technical / formal in register.
Dictionary attack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪkʃ(ə)n(ə)ri əˈtæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛri əˈtæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term itself is a technical compound.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a thief trying every key on a massive keyring (the dictionary) until one unlocks the door (the account).
Conceptual Metaphor
CYBERSECURITY IS WARFARE (attack, defense, vulnerability). KNOWLEDGE IS A WEAPON (using a list/dictionary as a tool for intrusion).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a dictionary attack?