Dictionary Definitions at your Fingertips

What do you do when you are at the computer and need a definition for a word? You might get up and find a dictionary or you might go to a web site like dictionary.com. Google give’s you another, fast option. Actually, two options.

Just enter the word “define:” along with the word you want to look up into the Google search field:

That’s it. If it’s in the dictionary, you’ll get a long page of definitions from a multitude of web dictionaries, glossaries and occasionally some other types of sources. There is a link below the definition if you’d like to go to the source page.

There is also another interesting method you can use that will provide more than just a defintiion. This works in conjunction with the hot new information web site called Answers.com. Simply enter the word–just the word, no “define:”–into the search field. If the word is in the Answers.com database (and there are over a million words and subjects there), you will find a link at the top right of the Google page that is worded “definition.”

Clicking this link will take you directly to the Answers.com page for the word or subject. This page will show you an incredible amount of information that generally goes way beyond just the definition. It’s actually more like an encyclopedia and a dictionary combined. Give it a shot, you’ll really like it. In fact, to see it in action click the California to see what you’ll get.