Dictionary.com launched a free dictionary and thesaurus application for RIM's BlackBerry in an effort to woo mobile users to its ad-supported Web site.

Consumers can download the online word resource site's application by texting the keyword BBAPP to short code 44636 or visiting BlackBerry App World or Dictionary.com?s mobile site at m.dictionary.com. Dictionary.com claims that its application is the only free dictionary and thesaurus application available for BlackBerry devices.

?We launched an iPhone app back in April and at the time our hypothesis was we would see an increase of usage for our Web site if we provided access points for users to connect,? said Alexa Rudin, a spokeswoman for Dictionary.com, Oakland, CA.

According to Dictionary.com, a provider of language reference services on the Internet and an affiliate of IAC's Ask.com, its plan worked.

The Dictionary.com iPhone application was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 iPhone application for college students. The application has been downloaded more than 3 million times since April.

With both applications, users can access more than 325,000 words definitions and 275,000 synonyms on Roget?s 21st Century Thesaurus.

The new BlackBerry application features phonetic audio pronunciations.

Application users can also view their recent history via an editable list of recently searched words.

Words and definitions can also be sent to others through SMS or email.

Spelling suggestions and a word of the day in both English and Spanish are also available on the BlackBerry application.

Users can also access a definition or synonym while reading or writing an email, a feature exclusive to BlackBerry users.

Dictionary.com said that several of the features included in the application were designed to meet the specific professional needs of BlackBerry users.

The Dictionary.com Vocabulary Survey, conducted by Kelton Research between March 26 and March 30, found that 54 percent of consumers believe a person?s vocabulary is crucial for business success.

Additionally, more than 12 percent of those surveyed said that they find a person with an extensive vocabulary sexy.

While Dicitionary.com claims to be the only word reference application for BlackBerry, it has some premium competition on other platforms.

In December, the New Oxford American Dictionary was released for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Handmark, a developer and distributor of mobile media, powered the application dictionary, which contains more than 250,000 entries and definitions with content stored locally so it can be used without a wireless connection (see story).

Still, Dictironary.com saw there was plenty of room for growth in the space.

?We?ve seen huge numbers of people download the iPhone app and become unique users of our Web services, it is the same strategy for the BlackBerry app,? Ms. Rudin said. ?We provide this content for free to create usage of our other areas that are monetized.

?The applications help convert non-Web site users into Web users,? she said.