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# dictionary

Creates an empty dictionary.

```
+ (instancetype) dictionary;
```

## Return Value

A new empty dictionary.

## Discussion

This method is declared primarily for use with mutable subclasses of [`NSDictionary`](/documentation/Foundation/NSDictionary).

If you don’t want a temporary object, you can also create an empty dictionary using `alloc` and [`init()`](/documentation/Foundation/NSDictionary/init()).

## See Also

  [Collections Programming Topics](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/Collections/Collections.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000034i)

  [Property List Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/PropertyLists/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000048i)


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