--- title: Preventing the built-in dictionary from popping up on MacOS. description: MacOS contains a built-in dictionary. Learn how to prevent this from showing up. source_url: html: https://testingbot.com/software-testing-questions/how-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac md: https://testingbot.com/software-testing-questions/how-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md --- # How to stop the dictionary from popping up on Mac? - [![Share on Facebook](https://static.addtoany.com/buttons/facebook.svg) ](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftestingbot.com%2Fsoftware-testing-questions%2Fhow-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md&linkname= "Share on Facebook") - [![Share on Twitter](https://static.addtoany.com/buttons/twitter.svg) ](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftestingbot.com%2Fsoftware-testing-questions%2Fhow-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md&linkname= "Share on Twitter") - [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.addtoany.com/buttons/linkedin.svg) ](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftestingbot.com%2Fsoftware-testing-questions%2Fhow-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md&linkname= "Share on LinkedIn") - [![Share on HackerNews](https://static.addtoany.com/buttons/y18.svg) ](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/hacker_news?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftestingbot.com%2Fsoftware-testing-questions%2Fhow-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md&linkname= "Share on HackerNews") 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 1. **Open System Preferences** : - Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select _System Preferences_. 2. **Trackpad Settings** : - Go to _Trackpad_. 3. **Point & Click Tab** : - Find the _Look up & data detectors_ option. - Uncheck the box to disable the gesture. ## Method 2: Change "Look Up" Keyboard Shortcut 1. **Open System Preferences** : - Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select _System Preferences_. 2. **Keyboard Settings** : - Go to _Keyboard_. 3. **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 1. **Open Safari** : - Launch Safari from your Dock or Applications folder. 2. **Safari Preferences** : - Go to _Safari_ in the menu bar and select _Preferences_. 3. **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 1. **Install BetterTouchTool** : - Download and install BetterTouchTool from the official website. 2. **Customize Gestures** : - Open BetterTouchTool and customize or disable specific gestures that trigger the dictionary pop-up. ## Method 6: Adjust Accessibility Settings 1. **Open System Preferences** : - Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select _System Preferences_. 2. **Accessibility** : - Go to _Accessibility_. 3. **Mouse & Trackpad** : - Look for settings related to trackpad gestures and adjust them as needed. - [![Share on Facebook](https://static.addtoany.com/buttons/facebook.svg) ](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftestingbot.com%2Fsoftware-testing-questions%2Fhow-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md&linkname=) - [![Share on Twitter](https://static.addtoany.com/buttons/twitter.svg) ](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftestingbot.com%2Fsoftware-testing-questions%2Fhow-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md&linkname=) - [![Share on Linkedin](https://static.addtoany.com/buttons/linkedin.svg) ](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftestingbot.com%2Fsoftware-testing-questions%2Fhow-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md&linkname=) - [![Share on Hacker News](https://static.addtoany.com/buttons/y18.svg) ](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/hacker_news?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftestingbot.com%2Fsoftware-testing-questions%2Fhow-to-stop-the-dictionary-from-popping-up-on-mac.md&linkname=) ![TestingBot Logo](https://testingbot.com/assets/logo-head-2f7f08db4ac9c4a3b1a784047410f8a4ece708e7e9f10ed16e20fdd8310f8de3.svg) ## Sign up for a Free Trial Start testing your apps with TestingBot. 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