How to Turn Off Dictionary on Mac

Stop accidental dictionary pop-ups on Mac by disabling trackpad gestures and keyboard shortcuts.

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How to Turn Off Dictionary on Mac
Home Guide How to Turn Off Dictionary on Mac

How to Turn Off Dictionary on Mac

The Dictionary Look-Up feature on Mac allows users to quickly access word definitions by tapping or using a keyboard shortcut. However, it can become disruptive while working. 

This guide will walk you through disabling the dictionary on Mac using different methods.

Method 1: Disable Dictionary Look-Up from Trackpad Settings

If the dictionary pops up due to a trackpad gesture, follow these steps to turn it off:

Step 1: Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings.

Select system settings in Apple menu

Step 2: Go to Trackpad from the left pane.

Go to Trackpad

Step 3: Under the Point & Click tab, find Look up & data detectors.

Step 4: Click the dropdown arrow and select Off.

Turn off Look up

This will prevent the dictionary from popping up on Mac while using your trackpad. 

Method 2: Disable the Keyboard Shortcut for Dictionary Look-Up

Mac also provides a keyboard shortcut Command + Control + D for dictionary access. To prevent the dictionary from popping up on accidentally pressing this shortcut, follow these steps below:

Step 1: Open System Settings from the Apple menu.

Select system settings from the menu

Step 2: Click Keyboard, then go to Keyboard Shortcuts.

Select Keyboard under System Settings

Step 3: Select Services > Searching.

Select Services

Step 4: Uncheck Look Up in Dictionary to disable the shortcut.

Uncheck Look up in Dictionary

Once disabled, pressing Command + Control + D will no longer trigger the dictionary.

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Conclusion

Disabling the Dictionary Look-Up feature on Mac helps prevent interruptions and allows for a smoother workflow. 

For developers, ensuring a seamless Mac experience across different OS versions and devices is crucial. With BrowserStack Live, you can test websites and applications on real macOS and iOS devices, ensuring full compatibility across different setups.

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