Duden

Duden is a German language reference brand best known for its dictionaries and guides that codify German spelling, grammar, and usage. The name originates with Konrad Duden, a German philologist, whose Vollständiges orthographisches Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache was first published in 1880. Since then, Duden has grown into a standard reference in schools, publishing houses, and media across the German-speaking world.

Historically, the Duden publishing program has evolved alongside changes in German orthography. After Duden's era, the Bibliographisches Institut in Mannheim acquired the rights and established Dudenverlag. The editions have incorporated the official reforms, most notably the Neue Deutsche Rechtschreibung of 1996 and subsequent updates, making Duden the customary authority on spelling, punctuation, and capitalization in many contexts.

Today, Duden publishes a range of reference works, including spelling dictionaries, grammar guides, and general and specialized dictionaries. The flagship products include Duden Rechtschreibung and Duden Grammatik, along with various dictionaries such as Das Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache. In addition to print volumes, the Duden brand operates an online dictionary at duden.de, which provides definitions, pronunciation, etymology, synonyms, and usage notes.