You can get the definition and synonyms for any word on a Mac with a single keystroke.
Hover your cursor over the word and press Command Control D.
The word is highlighted and a small popup box appears with the relevant dictionary and a thesaurus entry.
If you can’t remember the keystroke… hover the cursor over the word, right click and choose “Look Up” from the menu.
Since Lion, 10.7, Apple has updated their Dictionary App to include the New Oxford American English Dictionary and Thesaurus, the British Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus, Wikipedia and many more. By default, not all of these options are turned on.
To turn on more features in Dictionary:
- Open the Dictionary App
- In the Menu Bar select Dictionary, then choose Preferences.
- Now check the options you’d like to turn on.
The instant popup dictionary shows entries from all of the reference books you’ve activated.
This nifty little feature works in Safari, Mail, PDFs, Notes, Pages and almost everywhere else. Sadly, it doesn’t work in Microsoft Word, because… they don’t want it to.
Happy reading.
If you have questions or need Mac, iPhone or iPad help call No Problem Mac at 310-621-5679.
Thank you!! You have saved me so much trouble!
Thanks for letting me know. Have a great weekend – John
Thank you!! I knew about the dictionary “right click” deal – but the information you publish looks great! I am a self-taught Mac person – I have always used Apple products but I have never had any formal training. I started way back with the old smiley face. I could rebuild that one — but I sure can do anything with these systems now. Way above my head!!! No matter, I still would never own a PC, I detest them. It’s nice to know people like you exist.
Thanks for your time and effort to the cause!!! I’ll be back for more!!!
Kindly,
Gina
Thanks Gina. – John
So helpful! Wish I could just see the thesaurus words listed in the drop down menu, and then click the one I want to replace my word. But it’s still nice to at least get the thesaurus at the top of the “Look Up” option.
Sadly, Apple never revisit and improve the most used programs on the Mac.