Look Up Words
Dictionary, translation, and highlight menu for instant word definitions and language support.
What’s in This Section
Look Up Words provides instant access to definitions and translations. Select any word or phrase and get immediate help understanding it — no copy-pasting to other sites.
Features: Dictionary Lookup, Translation, Highlight Menu
Dictionary Lookup
What It Does
Provides instant definitions for any selected word. Shows pronunciation, part of speech, multiple meanings, and example sentences.
How to Enable
Dictionary is enabled by default. Select any word and use the shortcut or highlight menu.
Using Dictionary Lookup
Method 1 — Keyboard shortcut:
- Select a word
- Press
Alt+Shift+D - Definition appears in a popup
Method 2 — Highlight menu:
- Select a word
- Click Dictionary icon in the highlight menu
- Definition appears
What You’ll See
- Word — The selected term
- Pronunciation — Phonetic spelling
- Part of speech — Noun, verb, adjective, etc.
- Definitions — Multiple meanings if applicable
- Examples — Sentences showing usage
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Alt+Shift+D | Look up selected word |
Escape | Close dictionary popup |
Tab | Navigate popup elements |
Tips
- Works on single words or short phrases
- Automatically detects language
- No API key required — uses free dictionary services
Translation
What It Does
Translates selected text into 14 languages. Works with words, sentences, or entire paragraphs.
How to Enable
Translation is enabled by default. Select text and use the highlight menu or shortcut.
Using Translation
- Select the text you want to translate
- Press
Alt+Tor click Translate in the highlight menu - Choose your target language (or use your default)
- View translation in the popup
Supported Languages
Translation offers 14 target languages:
| English | Russian |
| Spanish | Chinese |
| French | Japanese |
| German | Korean |
| Italian | Arabic |
| Portuguese | Hindi |
| Dutch | |
| Polish |
Pick the one you want in the translation settings.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Alt+T | Translate selected text |
Escape | Close translation popup |
Ctrl+C | Copy translation |
Settings
- Default target language — Set your preferred language
- Auto-detect source — Usually automatic
- Show original — Toggle display of source text
Tips
- Works on entire paragraphs, not just single words
- No API key required — uses zero-barrier translation services
- Translation quality varies by language pair
Highlight Menu
What It Does
A floating toolbar that appears when you select text. Provides quick access to Dictionary, Translation, TTS, Notes, and more.
How to Enable
- Click the AssisT icon
- Expand Look Up Words section
- Toggle Highlight Menu ON
Using the Highlight Menu
- Select any text on a page
- The highlight menu appears near your selection
- Click any icon to use that feature
Menu Icons
Always visible:
| Icon | Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker | TTS | Read selected text aloud |
| Book | Dictionary | Look up word definition |
| Globe | Translation | Translate selected text |
| Search | Search | Search Google for selected text |
| Note | Annotation | Add a note to selection |
| Map | Add to mind map | Send the selected phrase into a mind map |
| Clipboard | Copy | Copy selected text to clipboard |
AI-powered actions (appear when AI is enabled):
| Icon | Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Summarise | AI summary of selected text |
| Simplify | Simplify | Rewrite in simpler language |
| Breakdown | Breakdown | Break into step-by-step tasks |
| Tutor | Socratic Tutor | Generate guiding questions |
| Graph | Knowledge Graph | Visualise concept connections |
| Citation | Citation Analyzer | Evaluate source credibility |
| Compare | Multi-Document Compare | Contrast several sources side by side |
| Path | Study Path | Build a study plan from the selection |
| Speed | Speed Read | AI-assisted speed reading |
Add to mind map sends the phrase into whichever map is set as the target under Mind Map in the popup, so a quotation you find while reading ends up in your essay plan without you leaving the page. See the Mind Map guide.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+H | Show/hide highlight menu |
Customisation
In Settings, you can:
- Choose which icons appear in the menu
- Change menu position (above/below selection)
- Adjust menu appearance delay
For Educators & Parents
Why Look Up Words Matters
For English language learners:
- Instant definitions without leaving the page
- Translation maintains reading flow
- Builds vocabulary in context
For students with reading difficulties:
- Quick access to word meanings
- No need to navigate away from assignments
- Reduces frustration with unfamiliar vocabulary
For research and study:
- Quick fact-checking
- Efficient note-taking with annotations
- No context-switching to other tabs
Classroom Tips
- Set default translation language based on student’s native language
- Encourage dictionary use for vocabulary building
- Combine with TTS — look up word, then hear pronunciation
- Use highlight feature to mark important terms for review
Privacy Note
Dictionary and Translation use free, no-authentication APIs. Text is sent to these services for lookup but is not stored or tracked. No personal data is collected.
Learn More
- Keyboard Shortcuts Reference — All lookup shortcuts
- Reading Help — Combine with TTS for pronunciation