Check Definitions and Spelling Quickly

Mac OS X hides a clever little way to double-check a wordis spelling and definition at the same time. Instead of launching the Dictionary application, you can open a dictionary window with a simple keyboard shortcut.

Hereis how:

  • Select the word you want a definition for.
  • Type Command-Control-D


You donit need to launch Dictionary to take advantage of it.

The dictionary window appears showing what the word means along with how to spell it. Click anywhere else in your document to close the dictionary window.

The downside is that this keyboard shortcut doesnit work in every application. Most Apple applications recognize the shortcut, but some third-party apps donit.

This Quick Tip was adapted from The Designeris Guide to Mac OS X.

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