If the dictionary or definition pop-up is appearing frequently on your Mac and you want to disable or control this feature, you can adjust the settings in different ways. Here are a few methods to stop the dictionary from showing up:
Method 1: Disable the "Look Up" Gesture
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Open System Preferences:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.
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Trackpad Settings:
- Go to Trackpad.
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Point & Click Tab:
- Find the Look up & data detectors option.
- Uncheck the box to disable the gesture.
Method 2: Change "Look Up" Keyboard Shortcut
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Open System Preferences:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.
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Keyboard Settings:
- Go to Keyboard.
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Shortcuts Tab:
- Select App Shortcuts from the left-hand menu.
- Find Look Up in Dictionary.
- Change or disable the shortcut by selecting the shortcut and pressing the - button.
Method 3: Disable the Dictionary in Safari
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Open Safari:
- Launch Safari from your Dock or Applications folder.
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Safari Preferences:
- Go to Safari in the menu bar and select Preferences.
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Search Tab:
- Under the Search tab, uncheck the Include Safari Suggestions option.
Method 4: Remove the Dictionary App (Not Recommended)
If you are sure you won't need the Dictionary app, you can remove it from the system. This is not generally recommended because the Dictionary app is a system application.
Method 5: Use Third-Party Tools
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Install BetterTouchTool:
- Download and install BetterTouchTool from the official website.
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Customize Gestures:
- Open BetterTouchTool and customize or disable specific gestures that trigger the dictionary pop-up.
Method 6: Adjust Accessibility Settings
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Open System Preferences:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.
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Accessibility:
- Go to Accessibility.
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Mouse & Trackpad:
- Look for settings related to trackpad gestures and adjust them as needed.