Use Dictionary from the macOS Services Menu

Select text in a Mac app, open the Services menu, and choose the Dictionary lookup or translation action. The selected words move directly into the chosen action.

Look up a word

Select a word or phrase, open Services, and choose lookup to view its meaning.

Translate a sentence

Select a sentence or paragraph, open Services, and choose translation to view the result with the original text.

Use the action across Mac apps

The Services menu places the Dictionary action inside apps that expose macOS text Services. Use it for browsers, documents, email, messages, and other supported text views.

Choose another trigger when it fits the text

Use hover for a quick word, a shortcut for repeated queries, and OCR for words shown in an image or video.

Open product: Dictionary