Instead of starting with a built-in dictionary, Word 2013 links you to the Office Store so you can pick a free dictionary or buy one from a collection, including dictionaries in many languages.
To choose and install the dictionary you want, right-click any word and click Define.
Or click Review > Define.
![Microsoft word spanish dictionary Microsoft word spanish dictionary](https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/193921.image0.jpg)
Sign in if you’re prompted to, and look over the choices in the Dictionaries list, and then click Download to install the dictionary you want.
After it downloads, the dictionary will open automatically in Word. From then on it will open whenever you click Define.
Tip: If you’re looking for a different way to say something, right-click any word in your document and click Synonyms. A short list of synonyms will automatically open. Or click Review > Thesaurus to open the built-in thesaurus. See Look up words in the thesaurus for more info about the thesaurus features.
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Install another dictionary
Once you’ve downloaded one dictionary, go to the Office Store if you want more.
Click Insert > My Apps.
In the Apps for Office box, click Store.
Pick the dictionary you want, or search for one in the search box. When you find the dictionary you want, click Add or Buy. Download lagu hijjaz kau sahabat kau teman.
Review the privacy information, and then click Trust it.
Follow the steps in Start using an app to begin using your new dictionary.
Start using an app
To start using a new app, such as a dictionary, find and double-click it in the apps list.
Microsoft Free Dictionary Download
Click Insert > My Apps.
Click My Apps to see your list of apps. If your new app isn’t there, click Refresh to update the list.
Double-click the app to start using it.
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Platform:
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Advanced English Dictionary4.1.0.1
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Massive English dictionary focused on usability and discovery
441 votes- PROS: 400,000 entries, Search history, Excellent usability, Pronunciation help
- CONS: Not all terms have images, You need to be able to spell the word you are after
Oxford Dictionary of English2.2.0.7
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
- Mac
Comprehensive English Dictionary for Smartphones
344 votes- PROS: More than 350 000 words are currently listed, This database is updated on a regular basis
- CONS: There is no free version of the Oxford Dictionary of English, 190.86 megabytes of free memory are required; quite hefty for a mobile phone dictionary
Hinkhoj Hindi English Dictionary1.0
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Hindi-to-English Dictionary for Windows 8 Operating Systems
114 votes- PROS: Hinkhoj Hindi-English Dictionary provides an offline option., Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 are also supported.
- CONS: Only 64-bit operating systems are supported by this dictionary., Some users have complained that this application takes a very long time to load.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 8th editionvaries-with-device
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
A comprehensive digital dictionary for advanced learners
83 votes- PROS: Comprehensive list of words, Includes audio pronunciations, Contains illustrations, Learner-centric
- CONS: Expensive, Resource heavy, The interface cannot be customized, Takes too long to install
Sheels Hindi to English Dictionary2.0
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Free Desktop Application to Translate Hindi into English
861 votes- PROS: Quick and simple control system, A fast and fun skateboarding game
- CONS: Controls can occasionally be buggy, Game is a little childlike
WordWeb7.1
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Free English thesaurus and dictionary
427 votes- PROS: Quick access via hotkeys and system tray, All the English locales, Works with rich online dictionary, Show pronunciation, usage and vulgar words
- CONS: Not tied to a World-acclaimed dictionary
Sinhala-English Dictionary2.1119
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Free Sinhala-to-English translation software
299 votes- PROS: Users will not be required to pay to access this program., It is very easy to learn new words and phrases.
- CONS: Many have complained that there are numerous pop-up advertisements., The dictionary is not as robust as some more advanced systems.
Advance Hindi Dictionary1.0
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Advanced Hindi-English Dictionary for Personal Computers
9 votes- PROS: Definitions from other Hindi dictionaries can be accessed., Users are provided with an offline mode, so wireless connections are not compulsory.
- CONS: This version is only available for personal computers., There is no pronunciation tool for synonyms and antonyms.
French-English Collins Dictionary2.2
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
Free to try translation tool
11 votes- PROS: Translates both ways , Word meanings provided , The app uses a widely respected dictionary , Automatic language recognition
- CONS: Only English and French supported , Not all words offer audio examples , Requires over 125 MB of space , Free for a limited period only
Shorter Oxford English Dictionary 6 ed.9.1.363
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
Downloadable Oxford English Dictionary for Windows
2 votes- PROS: Up-to-date 6th edition includes thousands of new, modern terms, 'fuzzy' search option if you are unclear on spelling, Example sentences to make the meaning of words clearer, Favourites tool allows you to compile word lists
- CONS: Long download time, Other dictionaries cost a fraction, Space-hungry, Cannot be updated
StarDict3.0.2
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
An Open-Source Dictionary App with Great Versatility
33 votes- PROS: Easy to use, Works with multiple FreeDict dictionaries, Built-in search capabilities, Lexicons for a range of languages
- CONS: Not frequently updated, Interface looks old, Documentation page isn’t self-explanatory enough, Offline functionality may not always work seamlessly
TheSage English Dictionary3.1.2.1744
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Complete dictionary and multifaced thesaurus of English
86 votesKamus2.04
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Get a Sigital English-Indonesian Dictionary with Kamus
185 votes- PROS: Simple and easy to use interface and tools., Free to download and use.
- CONS: Only of use if you want to translate Indonesian., Some may prefer a physical dictionary/phrasebook.
TheSage English Dictionary and Thesaurus4.0.1774
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Complete dictionary and multifaceted thesaurus of the English language
34 votesLingoPad2.5.323
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Customizable English-German dictionary
79 votesCollins English Thesaurus1.03
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
Complete English dictionary of synonyms
70 votesLingoes2.7.6.1
- License
- free Download
- Platform
- Windows
Easy dictionary and translator for more than 60 languages
240 votes- PROS: Good English dictionary with useful tools, One-click word definition while browsing
- CONS: Poor translation tool, Definition function fails frequently, Overly similar to Babylon
German-English Collins Dictionary2.2
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
German-English Collins Dictionary
12 votes- PROS: Trusted brand, Well designed, Covers most common translation needs, Excellent for a learner / holidaymaker
- CONS: Lacks the learning options of e.g. Google Translate, Not ideal for academic / specialist use, Less useful to those with advanced knowledge, Cost might put you off, considering availability of free translation online
Spanish-English Collins Dictionary2.2
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
Spanish / English electronic dictionary for your computer
18 votesInteractive Bangaliana Dictionary1.0
- License
- buy Download
- Platform
- Windows
Bangla-English Interactive Dictionary
17 votes
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# | Name | Version | Votes | Rating | Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oxford Dictionary of English | 2.2.0.7 | 344 | 8.3 | Windows,Mac |
2 | WordWeb | 7.1 | 427 | 7.7 | Windows |
3 | Sinhala-English Dictionary | 2.1119 | 299 | 7.4 | Windows |
4 | Advanced English Dictionary | 4.1.0.1 | 441 | 7.2 | Windows |
5 | Sheels Hindi to English Dictionary | 2.0 | 861 | 6.9 | Windows |
You’ve probably ditched your paper dictionary, but do you know how to use OS X’s built-in one? This week’s video shows you how.
Transcript
Whether you need to know what a word means or just how to spell it, the days of leafing through hefty paper dictionaries are gone. But few Mac users really know how to make the most of OS X’s built-in Dictionary app. Today I’ll show you five tricks for doing just that.
1. Use pop-up definitions
A useful, and chronically underused, OS X feature is systemwide pop-up definitions. In most Mac applications—including Safari, Mail, Pages, TextEdit, Twitter, you name it—just position your cursor over the word you want to define and press Command-Control-D. A pop-up window appears containing the definition, synonyms, and any relevant Wikipedia entry.
Click the header for Dictionary, Thesaurus, Apple, or Wikipedia to open Dictionary to the relevant page.
2. Use contextual menus
Say you’ve forgotten the Command-Control-D shortcut already. Are you out of luck? Of course not. In most applications, you can instead select a word and Control-click (or right-click). A contextual menu appears. Select Look Up in Dictionary (or Look Up) and the definition appears.
3. Use Spotlight
Another quick way to look up a word is by using the Spotlight search menu. Press Command-spacebar to activate it, and then type in the word you need defined. One of your results will be ‘Look Up’ next to the Dictionary icon. You don’t have to select this and press Return. Instead, simply hover your cursor over the entry and a pop-up menu will appear with the full definition. If you don’t want to reach for your mouse, press Command-L to jump immediately to the definition.
For more options—like the ability to look for synonyms—select the Dictionary entry (or press Command-D), and the Dictionary application will open to your word.
4. Make Dictionary talk
Perhaps your elementary school teachers taught you how to decipher the pronunciation symbols provided by the dictionary, but…perhaps not. Did you know that you can get Dictionary to pronounce words for you?
Go to System Preferences, click Dictation & Speech, click the Text to Speech tab, and choose a voice.
To make Dictionary talk, select a word and Control-click (or right-click) it. From the contextual menu, choose Speech > Start Speaking.
If the word isn’t split into syllables (say, down below in its Thesaurus entry), you don’t even have to select it. Just point to it with your cursor and Control-click.
5. Change your sources
Dictionary comes with a bunch of built-in reference sources. Select Dictionary > Preferences to see the list. Here you can determine which sources will show up when you search and what order they’ll show up in. So, for instance, you could get rid of Wikipedia, add a Spanish language dictionary, or switch out the American English dictionary for a British English one.
Note that you have to be connected to the Internet to access Wikipedia. And what’s the Apple dictionary, you may ask? It includes a glossary of Apple terms—helpful for those times when you’re not interested in the type of apple you can eat.