adware

[ ad-wair ]

/ ˈædˌwɛər /

noun Computers.

software that displays advertisements and is integrated into another program offered at no charge or at low cost.

a type of spyware that gathers information about an Internet user's browsing habits and displays targeted or contextual advertisements.

Nearby words

advocatus diaboli, advowson, advt, advt., adwa, adware, adwoman, adygei, adygei republic, adynamia, adynamic ileus

Origin of adware

1980–85; ad(vertising-supported) + (soft)ware

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for adware

adware

/ (ˈædˌwɛə) /

noun

a type of computer software that collects information about a user's browsing patterns in order to display relevant advertisements in his or her Web browser

computer software that is given to a user with advertisements already embedded

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for adware

adware

2000 (earlier as the name of a software company), from ad (n.) + -ware, abstracted from software, etc.