OS X Mountain Lion: Get a quick Dictionary definition

Get a quick Dictionary definition

Dictionary gives you a quick definition of a word in the Spotlight search field, and in most documents and webpages.

In the Spotlight search field

Click the Spotlight icon (looks like a magnifying glass) in the upper-right corner of your screen, and type a word. The search results include the Dictionary definition.

To view the definition, highlight it or press Command (⌘)-L. To open the definition in the Dictionary app, press Command (⌘)-D.

In a document or webpage

Do one of the following:

  • Control-click a word, or tap it using two fingers, and then chose “Look Up in Dictionary” from the shortcut menu.
  • Tap a word using three fingers.
  • Select a word and press Command (⌘)-Control-D.
  • In Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, Control-click a word and choose Writing Tools > “Look Up in Dictionary and Thesaurus” from the shortcut menu.