Docs Help

You can now use a dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia while working directly within your document, thanks to Merrian-Webster and Encyclopedia Brittanica.

Using Merriam-Webster's dictionary and thesaurus within Google Docs

To find the meaning of a word within your document:

1. Select the word you're interested in.
2. From the Tools menu, choose Look up word > See definition of word...
3. In the dialog box that pops up, click the form of the word you're seeking information about. The word definition should automatically appear, but click Go if it doesn't.
4. The various definitions of that word along with its pronunciation will appear. You can click on any word in blue within that definition and look that word up.

To find a synonym for a word, within your document:

1. Select the word you're interested in.
2. From the Tools menu, choose Look up word > See synonyms for...
3. In the dialog that pops up, you'll be able to see the various synonyms for that word.
4. To replace the word in your document with a certain synonym, click the new word and select Replace.

Using Encyclopedia Brittanica within Google Docs

To look up a word in the encyclopedia within your document:

1. Select the word you're interested in.
2. From the Tools menu, Look up word > See definition of word...
3. In the dialog that box that pops up, choose which word or phrase you'd like to see in the Brittanica encyclopedia or choose Search again if you'd like more choices.
4. You'll then be taken to Encyclopedia Brittanica online.

*To go to Merriam-Webster or Encyclopedia Brittanica online, you can click the link at the bottom of all the dialog boxes mentioned above.

*Please note that these features are currently only available in U.S. English.