Defining Words Quickly

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated October 14, 2019)

2

When you read a PDF, e-book, or webpage in Microsoft Edge you might come across a word that you might need help understanding. Perhaps the meaning of the word has escaped your memory, or you just haven't run across the word before. Either way, Microsoft Edge has a very handy feature that can help you find the definition of the word. Best of all, this feature has been available and enabled by default since the October 2018 update.

To test this out, open your desired webpage, e-book, or PDF in Microsoft Edge. Then activate Reading View. (If you don't know how to do that, click this link for further information.)

Select any single word in the text you are reading, and an overlay will appear above the word. (Make sure you select only a single word; this won't work if you select more than that.) This overlay provides a short definition of the word you selected. You can even click on the speaker icon in the overlay and have the word pronounced for you. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. A selected word's definition overlay within Microsoft Edge.

With this handy feature you can quickly improve your vocabulary or help provide a better understanding of why the author used a certain word in their writing.

 This tip (13687) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

Get a Sense of Your Storage

Over time our computers can become bogged down by items in the Recycle Bin or by temporary files. To help free up space ...

Discover More

Recording Video with the Xbox Game Bar

You can use Xbox Game Bar to record videos of applications running on your system. Let's see how to capture a video of ...

Discover More

Notes that Stick Around

Throughout your day it can be necessary to quickly write things down to quickly remember later. Unfortunately, a Post-It ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Understanding DHCP

DHCP allows computers to join IP-governed networks without the need for system administrators to set up configuration ...

Discover More

Google Chrome Setting URLs

Shortcut URLs allow quick access to the settings within Google Chrome. Use these shortcut URLs to quickly access the ...

Discover More

Overview of OneDrive

Using the cloud to store and transfer files is more common today than at any other time. With OneDrive and Windows 10 you ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is one more than 3?

2019-10-18 11:53:12

David H.

Vivian. I use the Google Dictionary extension on my chrome browser. Here's the link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-dictionary-by-goog/mgijmajocgfcbeboacabfgobmjgjcoja?hl=en

2019-10-14 11:16:33

Vivian W

Is Edge the only browser with this great feature?

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.