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.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of adware

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

Words nearby adware

advocatus diaboli, advowson, advt, advt., adwa, adware, adwoman, adygei, adygei republic, adynamia, adynamic ileus
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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