Thesaurus, Mac OS X Style
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. |
|---|
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
option esc seems to bring up a list of words that have the same prefix as the part of the word to the left of the cursor. The remainder of the "misspelled" word is ignored. So if you know the first n letters option esc can help you find the word you are looking for, but if you need the best guess taking your entire mis-spelled word into account, then command control D would probably help more. Different tools for slightly different problems.
The problem with Jeff's tip is that you are in either Thesaurus or Dictionary with this choice. I.E. when you choose look up it will only bring either Dictionary OR Thesaurus.
However, if in preferences you choose "open dictionary panel" instead of application, you get a nice small panel that is switchable between both. Plus you can click the "more" button to open both in one panel of the full application.
I find this far more user friendly.
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"
Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:42 pm Subject:
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
Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.
Recent Headlines - Updated July 9th
- Thu, 3:50 PM
- Ted Landau's User Friendly Blog - User Interface Blues
- 3:42 PM
- Reports - Chrome OS Complicates Apple & Google Boards of Directors
- 1:08 PM
- Deal Brothers - Life ‘09 Software Drops to $59.99 Delivered
- 11:06 AM
- News - TechRestore Posts Stop-motion iPhone 3GS Breakdown
- 10:17 AM
- Hot Forum Topic - Parallels versus Fusion: Reader Favorites
- 9:32 AM
- Product News - LaCie Unveils LaCinema Rugged HD Multimedia Hard Drive
- 8:54 AM
- Product News - CheckUp 2.5 Adds Snow Leopard, New Mac Support
- 8:37 AM
- News - Latest Microsoft Ad Hits at MacBook Price Again
- 8:06 AM
- TMO Appearances - TMO’s Jeff Gamet Dives into Social Media at CoMUG
- 7:30 AM
- The Back Page - Looking Ahead at the App Store’s Future
- Wed, 6:48 PM
- Games - Pipe Mania Puzzle Game Released for Mac, iPhone
- 5:36 PM
- Product News - Apple Releases Safari 4.0.2 with Nitro JavaScript Engine Improvements
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
- Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
OWC: Premium Memory for Mac without the Premium Price. DDR2 4GB from $47.99, DDR3 4GB for Unibody $79.99, Mac Pro 4GB $97.99. Expert Support, Free Installation Videos & Guides. www.MacSales.com
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!
RamJet Memory: MacBook and MacBook Pro 4GB kits for $57.99! Mac Pro 4GB Kits $99.99! iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $57.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click hereFor the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.


