Built-in dictionary missing after IOS 6 update

Just to clarify: there isn't a dictionary app that comes with ios7, the dictionary function is integrated into the os.

To use the dictionary:

1/ highlight a word (eg in safari)

2/ in the pop-up menu (copy/define) choose define

3/ the word will be defined in the system language

4/ on the bottom left of this page is the option: "manage". From the manage page other dictionaries can be installed.

Those instructions are for the iPhone, but I would think the iPad is very similar.

I got it! Thanks!

Yes .... That is correct however the dictionary does not remain permanently .... You have to manage and "download" the dictionary every time you want to use it. The data is there it would seem but does not remain intact. It's not an elegant solution to have to repeat the steps every time and was never an issue in previous iterations.

I have mailed Apple feedback about the problem. Hopefully they will look into a fix. Incidentally I have set the ipad to Japanese and the problem is not there - The dictionary works every time with Japanese - English definitions. No need to manage. I'm not a native speaker though so I don't really want to have to use the ipad with the language set to Japanese.

If there's anything I've missed then I'd love to hear the answer.

:)

No, you're absolutely right, I've been having similar issues. It only happens every few days, but I do have to reactivate any extra dictionaries.

Hopefully Apple will fix this bug in the next update (and not leave it for ios8).

Having a dictionary is definitely better than not having one though.