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TMO Quick Tip - Thesaurus, Mac OS X Style
by , 7:30 AM EDT, September 12th, 2007
I've mentioned before how you can check a word's spelling or definition quickly with the dictionary that's part of Mac OS X. What I didn't mention is that you can use the same trick to get at the built in thesaurus -- after a quick settings change, that is.
By default, your Mac's Dictionary application shows spelling and definitions. Here's how to change that default to the thesaurus:
- Launch Dictionary. It's in your Applications folder.
- Choose Dictionary > Preferences.
- Now drag Oxford American Writers Thesaurus above New Oxford American Dictionary. The top most option is always the default.
- Close the Preferences pane.
![]() The top listed option is always the default in Dictionary. |
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Now any time you use the Command-Control-D keyboard shortcut, you'll see a list of synonyms instead of spelling and definitions.
Thanks to TMO reader Edward Humes for asking.
Jeff Gamet is TMO's Morning Editor and Reviews Editor. He lectures, teaches and speaks on Mac OS X and design-related topics, and is the author of The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X from Peachpit Press.
if you have tips or tricks to share, or Mac-related questions you want answered.
Observer Comments
Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:50 pm Subject: Your spell checker was turned off
Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:38 pm Subject: Not "Mac OS X"
QuoteiJack wrote:
I guess I am missing something. Well in the tip, anyway. When I open the dictionary, BOTH dictionary and thesaurus share the same window – dictionary on top, and thesaurus below. I always thought that's what everyone could see.
Well, maybe, but here's one guy who never noticed that before today! I noticed it when playing around with the Dictionary app, after reading the comments here on this thread!
Although, I must admit, typically, when I've needed to look up a word in a thesaurus, I've used the Nisus Thesaurus, which is free from Nisus. It also does definitions, so I've sometimes used it for that too.
-Jon
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