Dictionary User Guide

for macOS

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

Tip: You can select the source you want to search. For example, click Thesaurus to search for synonyms and antonyms.

[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.]

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 can 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 > Settings. 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

To restrict access to explicit content in Dictionary for yourself or for a family member, modify Screen Time settings. See Change Intelligence & Siri settings in Screen Time.

If you search for a word and Dictionary cant find any results, the word may not be in the sources selected in Dictionary settings 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.

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Dictionary User Guide

Search for a word or phrase in Dictionary

Make text smaller or bigger

Customise Dictionary sources

Hide profanity

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