Dictionary User Guide

for macOS Catalina

macOS Sequoia 15

macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Ventura 13

macOS Monterey 12

macOS Big Sur 11.0

macOS Catalina 10.15

macOS Mojave 10.14

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With Dictionary on your Mac, you can easily get definitions of words and phrases from a variety of sources.

Tip: You can also quickly look up words while you’re working in an app or browsing web pages.

The full Dictionary window showing a definition. Click any word or phrase in the definition to see its definition. To select a source to search, click its name in the source bar, located below the toolbar. Type a word or phrase into the search field.

You can open Dictionary from Launchpad (click the Launchpad icon in the Dock).

Open Dictionary for me

Search for a word or phrase in Dictionary

In the Dictionary app on your Mac, type a word or phrase in the search field in the upper-right corner of the Dictionary window.
Note: If you add another Dictionary source, wait for it to download completely before searching for a word or phrase. For information about adding sources, see “Customise Dictionary sources” below.
While reading the definition, you’ll see links (blue text) to related words. In addition, you can hold the pointer over any word or phrase and click to look up its definition.
When you look up a word in a definition, a SnapBack button appears in the search field. Click it to return to your starting definition. You can also swipe left or right on your trackpad or click the previous or next button in the toolbar of the Dictionary window to move between definitions you viewed.

Make text smaller or bigger

In the Dictionary app on your Mac, click the font size buttons in the toolbar of the Dictionary window.
You can also pinch with two fingers to zoom in or out.

Customise Dictionary sources

In the Dictionary app on your Mac, choose Dictionary > Preferences. You can select and reorder sources, such as Spanish or Korean dictionaries. You can set options for some sources, such as how to display pronunciations or which language of Wikipedia to search. The sources you select here determine the sources shown in Dictionary and when you look up words.

Hide profanity

You can use Screen Time System Preferences to restrict access to explicit content in Dictionary for yourself or for a family member. See Change Screen Time Content & Privacy preferences.

If you search for a word and Dictionary can’t find any results, the word may not be in the sources selected in Dictionary preferences, or it may be restricted by Screen Time settings. If possible, Dictionary suggests alternative words.

You can also use Spotlight to get a quick definition. Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, then type a word or phrase.

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