Defining Words Quickly

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

Quick Rename of Files in Bulk

Renaming a large set of files one file at a time can be time consuming and tedious. Windows allows for you to quickly ...

Discover More

Listening with One Ear

If you use a single speaker to listen to your computer audio, you may be missing out on some sounds. Two quick changes to ...

Discover More

Turn Off/On Window Snap

Windows allows for a system window to "snap" to certain areas of your screen. You can easily turn this feature on or off.

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Moving Your Downloads Folder

If you're on the Internet a lot, chances are you do a lot of downloading. By default, your Downloads folder is on your C: ...

Discover More

Introduction to Microsoft Edge

Windows 10 comes with a nice replacement for Internet Explorer (which is still retained for those who need it). This new ...

Discover More

Modifying Your Hosts File

Your Hosts file is an important file as far as network communications go, and you can easily edit it to suit your needs. ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

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}] 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 3 + 7?

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
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.