7 Best Dictionary Extensions for Chrome
While browsing the Internet, we come across difficult words that can leave us perplexed. Typically, you should type the word into Google and look for its meaning. This is one of the ways to find the meaning of a word. However, there are better and productive ways. What if you could double-click on the word and its meaning would appear? This is possible with dictionary extensions for the Chrome browser.
With Chrome’s dictionary extensions, you don’t have to leave the current web page. By selecting the text or by clicking on it with the right button, the meaning would appear. Isn’t it great?
Let’s check out the best English dictionary extensions for Chrome.
Note: Refresh existing open tabs after installing extensions so that they work properly. Dictionary extensions will not work on Chrome extension pages.
1. Google Dictionary
Google offers one of the oldest and most reliable dictionary extensions called Google Dictionary and supports many languages. You can consider this message as an alternative to Google dictionary extensions. By default, the meaning of a word will appear in a pop-up window when you double-click it.
You can modify this behavior and assign a trigger key which must be pressed with the double click of the mouse. You can also store the words you searched for by activating them in the extension settings.
Point: To open the extension settings, right-click the extension icon in the toolbar and go to Options.
If you want a detailed meaning of the word with its synonyms, select the word and click on the extension icon. Otherwise, type the word manually in the box that opens when you click the extension icon.
2. Instant dictionary by GoodWordGuide
The Instant Dictionary (Dictionary Bubble) extension works much like Google Dictionary. Double-click on the word and its definition will appear with synonyms. You can also listen to the pronunciation of the word from the pop-up window itself.
For an extended meaning, select the word, press the D key on your keyboard and click on the extension icon.
In addition to changing the pop-up window trigger keys, you can change its font size and activate word history in the extension settings.
3. Dictionary search
If the idea of a popup window appearing by simply double-clicking on the word bothers you, dictionary search offers another solution. You must press a button on your keyboard – Alt on Windows, Command on Mac and Ctrl on Linux, as well as double-click on the word or select it to display its definition in a popup window.
The keyboard button can be changed in the extension settings. Interestingly, you can disable this behavior and also continue by double-clicking by selecting None in the mouse search modifier. You can also enable or disable content that should appear in the pop-up window. For example, antonyms and associated words are disabled by default. You can activate them. Likewise, you can adjust the size of the popup window.
4. My dictionary
My dictionary extension works a little differently. Although this extension also doesn’t make you leave your web page, it opens a new window in the same tab. Even if it takes time in a certain way, the advantage is that you can easily switch between several dictionaries.
To find the definition of a word, double-click it. Then press the Choose a dictionary option and select your preferred dictionary from the menu. You can edit this dictionary on the next screen. I wish we could define a default dictionary so that we don’t have to select it every time.
You can even add a custom dictionary and rearrange the dictionaries available in the extension settings.
5. Power Thesaurus
When you install the Power Thesaurus extension, don’t be dismayed by the unavailability of definitions, because definitions are disabled by default in extension settings. To activate them, access the extension options and check the box next to Definition under Display.
Now, every time you double-click on a word, the Power Thesaurus icon will appear. By clicking on it, you will also see antonyms and definition in a pop-up window. Click Show All to see all of the available options.
If you want to display the pop-up directly without touching the icon, access the extension options and select Preview under Pop-up. You can also change the number of synonyms and antonyms that should appear, use the dark mode and change the context menu settings in the extension settings.
6. Synonyms.com
As the name suggests, the extension is actually a word generator tool. However, it does a great job of providing definitions, sample sentences and synonyms. To use the extension, select the word and click the extension icon in the toolbar. You can also enter the word manually in the search box provided.
7. TheFreeDictionary.com
With this extension, when you double-click on a word, it will open the freedictionary.com website in a new tab and show the detailed meaning of the selected word.
If you are bothered about opening a website from a double-click, the behavior can be limited to right-clicking only in the extension settings. You can also take a look at the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary extension which also opens a new window to display the definitions.
We have more
In addition to the extensions mentioned above, try the grammar checker extensions such as Grammarly, Microsoft Editor and Ginger. They also offer the ability to view definitions and other useful features. If none of the extensions meet your needs, right-click the selected word and choose Search with Google in Chrome.
Then:
Chrome can easily manage multiple accounts. But what is your default account and what does it mean to have a default account? Then find the answer.
Last updated on June 22, 2020
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