Have you ever come across a word while reading on your iPhone’s Safari browser and wondered what it meant? Instead of switching to another app to look it up, did you know you can define the word right there on Safari? It’s a super handy feature, and I’ll show you how to do it in just a few taps.
Step by Step Tutorial to Define a Word in Safari on the iPhone
Before we dive into the step-by-step tutorial, let’s understand what we’ll achieve by following these steps. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to quickly find the meaning of any word while browsing on Safari without leaving the page. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Select the word you want to define
Simply press and hold on the word until it’s highlighted.
When you press and hold the word, a menu will pop up above or below the word. This is where you will find the option to define the word.
Step 2: Tap on "Look Up"
After you highlight the word, tap on "Look Up" from the menu.
Tapping on "Look Up" will bring up a new window with the word’s definition, pronunciation, and sometimes even images.
Step 3: Read the definition
The definition of the word will appear in a pop-up window on your screen.
In this pop-up window, you can scroll down to see more details about the word, such as synonyms and usage examples.
After you complete the action, the definition window will stay open until you close it. You can tap anywhere outside the pop-up to return to your reading. This feature is extremely useful for avid readers or students who come across unfamiliar words frequently.
Tips for Defining a Word in Safari on the iPhone
- Make sure your iOS is updated for the best performance of this feature.
- If "Look Up" doesn’t appear, try selecting a different word or check your internet connection.
- You can also hear the pronunciation of the word by tapping the speaker icon in the definition window.
- The "Look Up" feature works with other apps too, like Mail and Messages.
- If the word is not in the dictionary, consider downloading a third-party dictionary app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I define a word in Safari without an internet connection?
No, you need an internet connection to define words in Safari.
What do I do if "Look Up" doesn’t work?
Make sure you’ve selected the word correctly and that your iOS is up to date. If it still doesn’t work, restart your iPhone.
Can I save the words I look up?
While you can’t directly save words you’ve looked up in Safari, you can take a screenshot or note them down in a separate app.
Does the "Look Up" feature work on websites in other languages?
Yes, "Look Up" can provide definitions for words in several languages, depending on your dictionary settings.
Is there a limit to how many words I can define?
No, there’s no limit to how many words you can look up using Safari’s "Look Up" feature.
Summary
- Select the word you want to define.
- Tap on "Look Up".
- Read the definition.
Conclusion
Defining a word in Safari on your iPhone is an invaluable trick for anyone looking to expand their vocabulary or simply understand the content they’re reading better. With just a couple of taps, you can unlock definitions, pronunciations, and more, without ever leaving the page you’re on. It’s one of those features that, once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. So, the next time you’re reading something on Safari and stumble upon a puzzling word, give this nifty feature a try. Who knows how many new words you’ll learn?
Matthew Burleigh has been a freelance writer since the early 2000s. You can find his writing all over the Web, where his content has collectively been read millions of times.
Matthew received his Master’s degree in Computer Science, then spent over a decade as an IT consultant for small businesses before focusing on writing and website creation.
The topics he covers for MasterYourTech.com include iPhones, Microsoft Office, and Google Apps.
You can read his full bio here.