Dictionary User Guide
for macOS Mojave
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.
You can open Dictionary from Launchpad (click the Launchpad icon 
in the Dock).
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 a source, 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
If you’re an administrator of a Mac, you can control other users’ access to inappropriate words in Dictionary. Just set up parental controls on the Mac, then select the “Restrict explicit language in Dictionary” tickbox in the Other pane of Parental Controls preferences. Once set, only an administrator can remove parental controls.
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 parental controls may be set. 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.