If you read a lot online, you’ll often come across new words that you’d like to learn and add to your vocabulary. Googling the meaning of each of those words can be a hectic process, so you’ll be better off using a Chrome extension that shows the meaning by simply highlighting a word.

With such extensions, you can focus on your reading and complement it with learning without ever leaving the current tab. Most of these extensions use reputable dictionaries at the backend, making the meanings reliable.

So, let’s look at the best Chrome dictionary extensions that let you look up words and meanings as you browse.

1. Google Dictionary

Meaning of a word using Google Dictionary Chrome Extension

Google Dictionary is one of the Chrome extensions made by Google that provides the definitions right on your active webpage. You can double-click on a word to read its meaning, and can also listen to its pronunciation from the pop-up. If the pop-up doesn’t appear upon double-clicking, you might need to refresh the page after installing the extension.

Apart from the on-page word look-up functionality, Google Dictionary has a search feature you can access by clicking its extension icon. You can find that icon in Extensions (Puzzle icon) next to Chrome’s search bar. If you’re new to this, finding, installing, and managing extensions on Chrome and Chromium-based browsers is pretty similar.

In the search, you can type the word you want to look up, in case copying or highlighting is disabled on a webpage. Besides, when you use this feature, it gives you a more detailed meaning, along with the links to synonyms.

You can customize the behavior of the extension through its settings. It lets you assign a trigger key on your keyboard, which you press while double-clicking on a word to get the meaning. Optionally, you can also store and download the history of all the words you’ve looked up.

Download: Google Dictionary (Free)

2. Definer

Meaning of a word using Definer Chrome Extension

Definer is a feature-packed dictionary extension for Chrome that can greatly improve your online reading. Like Google Dictionary, you can look up a word by either double-clicking on it or using the search bar in the extension menu.

When you double-click on a word, a pop-up (or a Bubble, as Definer calls it) shows the definition of the word and lets you choose which source to use from the tabs on its left. You have the option to choose between Google Dictionary, DuckDuckGo Instant Answers, Wikipedia, Google Translate, Bing Images, and Google Search. You can also listen to the pronunciation of the highlighted word by clicking on the speaker icon.

In addition to the versatile feature set, Definer has a visually appealing design. It has many customization options that let you change the behavior and appearance of the extension. For example, you can add languages, change Bubble behavior, and choose from a list of themes.

Download: Definer (Free)

3. Dictionariez

Meaning of a word using Dictionariez Chrome Extension

Dictionariez is an open-source dictionary extension for Chrome that offers many customizations. Like most of the extensions on this list, it supports double-clicking to view the definition of the highlighted word, or you can type the word in its extension pop-up. Additionally, it provides pronunciations for several English accents, such as UK and US.

Dictionariez stores the history of your searched words so that you can go back and view them at any time. Moreover, it has almost a dozen dictionary sources that you can use by selecting one from the settings, including ChatGPT.

Its settings menu is full of options. For example, you can set up hotkeys to perform certain functions, change the appearance, and delete specific words from the history.

Download: Dictionariez (Free)

4. Dictionary Lookup

Meaning of a word using Dictionary Lookup Chrome Extension

Dictionary Lookup is a minimalist dictionary extension that provides a clean pop-up whenever you double-click on a word while pressing Alt on your keyboard. It shows the detailed meaning of the word, along with its synonyms and pronunciations.

If you want to go to this extension’s settings, you’ll have to go to Extensions (Puzzle icon) and click on the Pin icon next to Dictionary Lookup. Once it is pinned to Chrome’s top bar, click on it and choose Options to get to the settings menu. This seems to be a bug that will be fixed soon, hopefully.

In the settings, you can set the Mouse lookup modifier to None if you don’t want to press Alt while double-clicking. In addition, you can customize the keyboard shortcuts, content options, and popup size according to your preferences.

Download: Dictionary Lookup (Free)

5. Instant Dictionary

Meaning of a word using Instant Dictionary Chrome Extension

Instant Dictionary makes it easier to learn new words by offering different meanings for the same word when it is used as a noun, verb, adverb, or adjective. This helps in understanding complex terms in different contexts.

The extension supports many websites, including Google Docs, so you can look up words as you write without leaving the tab. You can also assign a trigger key and increase or decrease the font size in the pop-up.

Instant Dictionary also has a search feature that you can access by clicking on its icon. Like Google Dictionary, you get more details about a word if you look it up using that search. In addition, it also saves your search history.

Download: Instant Dictionary (Free)

6. Dictionary

Meaning of a word using Dictionary Chrome Extension

Dictionary is one of the extensions with the least options and the most to-the-point functionality. It provides a clean pop-up with the definition and synonyms when you double-click on a word. If you want to learn more about it, click on More, and it will navigate to Google for details.

Dictionary also has the option to store your search history. There are a couple of other options in the settings, like assigning a trigger key. However, you’ll have to get to the settings menu the way you did with the Dictionary Lookup, that is, by pinning it and clicking on Options.

Download: Dictionary (Free)

7. Longman Dictionary Bubble

Meaning of a word using Longman Dictionary Bubble Chrome Extension

As the name suggests, Longman Dictionary Bubble is a Chrome extension based on the popular Longman Dictionary. It does all the usual stuff, like double-clicking to get the meaning and pronunciations. In addition, it uses the words in sentences to help you learn the usage.

Clicking on More takes you to the webpage where you get a lot more details about the word in case you fancy learning more. Moreover, the extension lets you disable itself, so you choose to use it only while reading or studying.

Download: Longman Dictionary Bubble (Free)

Improve Your Vocabulary With These Chrome Extensions

Reading requires focus, and focus requires minimum distractions. If you leave the tab every now and then for chores like looking up words, the whole flow of your reading gets affected.

To counter that issue and improve your reading productivity, you can use one of the Chrome dictionary extensions listed above. These extensions will help you learn new words on the go with minimum distractions while you focus on your reading.