Get Info on Selected Text on Mac: Quick Look Up
On a Mac, you can get information about selected text by using Look Up, a built-in feature that can show dictionary definitions and other relevant results. Select a word or phrase, then Control-click it and choose “Look Up,” or use the trackpad’s three-finger tap if that gesture is enabled.
What Look Up Does
Look Up is macOS’s context-sensitive search for selected text. Depending on the word, app, language, and macOS settings, its panel may show a dictionary definition, thesaurus entry, related information, or links and results from online sources. It is useful for checking an unfamiliar word without opening a separate dictionary app or browser tab.
The results are not guaranteed to be the same for every selection. A common word may produce a definition, while a name, technical term, or phrase may lead to web results—or no useful match. The feature also depends on the app allowing text selection and on the available reference sources and internet access.
How to Look Up Selected Text
- In an app such as Safari, Mail, Notes, or a document editor, select the word or phrase you want to check.
- Control-click the highlighted text. On a trackpad, this is generally the same as a two-finger click; you can also use the right mouse button.
- Choose Look Up from the shortcut menu. The wording or menu may vary slightly by app and macOS version.
- Read the definition or other available results in the popover. If it offers a link to open a full result, select it to continue in the relevant app or browser.
You can also select a word and tap the trackpad with three fingers, if the Look Up gesture is enabled in your settings. This is a gesture, not a three-finger click. If it does nothing, use the shortcut menu first, then check the gesture settings below.
Use the Keyboard or Trackpad Gesture
Some Mac apps provide a keyboard shortcut for Look Up, commonly Control-Command-D when the insertion point is over a word. Keyboard behavior can vary by app, keyboard layout, and macOS version. If the shortcut does not work, select the text and use the Control-click menu rather than assuming the feature is unavailable.
To check the gesture, open System Settings and choose Trackpad. Look in the point-and-click options for the Look up & data detectors setting, then enable or disable its three-finger gesture as desired. The exact presentation can differ across macOS releases and trackpad configurations. A Mac with a mouse instead of a trackpad will not have this gesture, but Control-click or right-click remains a practical alternative.
Choose a Dictionary or Reference Source
Dictionary results come from the reference sources available to macOS. To see which dictionaries are installed and choose which ones are active, open the Dictionary app and use its settings or preferences. Available sources vary by language and system configuration. If a dictionary is missing, check whether it can be downloaded through the app’s settings or the options provided by macOS.
A definition may not appear when the word is absent from the selected dictionaries, the text is not recognized as a word, or the app does not expose the selection to the system feature. Proper names, abbreviations, inflected forms, and specialized vocabulary are common cases where results can be limited. Try selecting a shorter phrase or the base form of a word.
Look Up is not a substitute for checking a source carefully. A quick definition can clarify ordinary usage, but a specialized or ambiguous term may need a subject-specific reference. Online results can also reflect the selected phrase imperfectly, so confirm that the result addresses the meaning you need.
Common Problems and Fixes
- Look Up is missing from the menu: Confirm that text is selected, not merely that the pointer is over a word. Try another app, since some apps do not support the same text actions.
- The three-finger tap does nothing: Open System Settings > Trackpad and check the Look up & data detectors gesture. Use Control-click as a fallback.
- The popover is blank or unhelpful: Try a single word, check that the relevant dictionary is enabled, and make sure the Mac can access online results if those are needed.
- The wrong word is selected: Select the exact word or phrase again. In some apps, punctuation, links, or formatting can affect what the system treats as the selection.
- A shortcut does not work: Shortcuts can differ by app or keyboard configuration. Use the context menu and check the app’s menus for its currently available command.
Restarting the app can help if its text menu is temporarily unresponsive. If the feature fails in many apps, check for macOS updates and review the Dictionary app’s available sources before concluding that the selection itself is the problem.
Look Up Compared With Other Mac Options
Look Up is best for a quick definition or a small amount of context. The Dictionary app is more useful when you want to browse entries or compare installed references. A web search is usually better for current information, detailed explanations, or a phrase that is not covered by a dictionary.
For text in a browser, selecting a phrase and searching the web may be more direct than opening Look Up. For text in a document, Look Up can save time, but it does not edit or explain the surrounding passage automatically. You still need to consider context: a word can have several meanings, and the popover may show a meaning that does not fit the sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up a word on a Mac?
Select the word, Control-click or right-click it, and choose Look Up. If enabled, you can also tap the trackpad with three fingers.
What is the Mac shortcut for Look Up?
Control-Command-D works in some apps when the pointer or insertion point is over a word. If it does not, use the selected-text context menu; shortcuts can depend on the app and setup.
Why does three-finger tap not work on my Mac?
The gesture may be turned off, unavailable with your pointing device, or configured differently. Check System Settings > Trackpad for Look up & data detectors, or use Control-click.
Can I change which dictionary Mac uses?
Open the Dictionary app and review its settings or preferences to enable available reference sources. The choices depend on the dictionaries installed and supported for your language.
Can Look Up search a phrase instead of one word?
Yes, select a phrase and try Look Up, but results may be less predictable than for a single word. For a longer passage or a current topic, a web search may work better.
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