---
title: "dictionary(forKey:)"
framework: foundation
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "foundation/userdefaults/dictionary(forkey:)"
---

# dictionary(forKey:)

Returns the dictionary object associated with the specified key.

## Declaration

```swift
func dictionary(forKey defaultName: String) -> [String : Any]?
```

## Parameters

- `defaultName`: The key to retrieve from the defaults database.

## Return Value

Return Value The dictionary object associated with defaultName, or nil if the key isn’t present in the defaults database. This method also returns nil if the retrieved value isn’t a dictionary object.

## Discussion

Discussion The returned dictionary and its contents are immutable, even if you originally set the key to mutable values.

## See Also

### Getting the value of a key

- [bool(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/bool(forkey:).md)
- [integer(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/integer(forkey:).md)
- [float(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/float(forkey:).md)
- [double(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/double(forkey:).md)
- [url(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/url(forkey:).md)
- [string(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/string(forkey:).md)
- [stringArray(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/stringarray(forkey:).md)
- [data(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/data(forkey:).md)
- [object(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/object(forkey:).md)
- [array(forKey:)](foundation/userdefaults/array(forkey:).md)
- [dictionaryRepresentation()](foundation/userdefaults/dictionaryrepresentation().md)