The dictionary that comes to the word
Instead of taking the word to a dictionary, SnapDic brings the dictionary to the word. Hover it or highlight a phrase and the meaning appears right above it — on any page, in any app on your Mac.
Mac app version 1.0.1 · macOS 14 or later · Apple Silicon and Intel. Also free on the Chrome Web Store.
Everything you meet while reading
General words, idioms, exam vocabulary, legal terms, tech terms and slang — SnapDic recognises what kind of word it is and answers accordingly.
Hover a word
ubiquitous
SAT · IELTS word · adjective · ≈C1
seeming to be everywhere at the same time
e.g. Smartphones are now ubiquitous.
via SnapDic exam vocabulary
Highlight a phrase
break the ice
Idiom / phrase · social
To ease tension at the start of a meeting or social situation so people feel comfortable.
e.g. He told a joke to break the ice.
via SnapDic · see also: warm up, get the ball rolling
Legal English
affidavit
Legal term · ≈C1
A written or printed statement made under oath.
via US Courts Glossary
Tech words
API
Tech term
A defined way for programs to talk to each other, such as a web service your app sends requests to.
via SnapDic tech glossary
Irregular forms too
children
plural of child · ≈A1
a young person of either sex
e.g. She writes books for children.
via Open English WordNet
no cap
Slang · informal
Honestly; not exaggerating.
e.g. That test was hard, no cap.
via SnapDic · see also: for real, seriously
From word to meaning in under a second
Point
Rest your mouse on a word. SnapDic reads just that word — nothing else on the page.
Understand
A small balloon shows the meaning, an example, the level and where the answer came from.
Keep reading
Move on and the balloon disappears. Every lookup is listed in the SnapDic panel for review.
A dictionary built around reading
Classic dictionary sites
- Copy the word, open a new tab, search, come back
- Long entries with every meaning ever recorded
- Idioms hidden deep inside single-word entries
- No idea how advanced a word is
SnapDic
- Hover — the meaning appears where you are
- The most common meaning first, in plain English
- Highlight a phrase to look up the whole idiom
- A level from ≈A1 to ≈C2 on every word
What's inside
| Collection | Size | Written by |
|---|---|---|
| General dictionary | 127,000+ words | Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0) |
| Learner definitions | 3,000+ words | SnapDic |
| Idioms, phrasal verbs, slang | 1,020 phrases | SnapDic |
| SAT and IELTS vocabulary | 1,037 words | SnapDic |
| Legal and immigration terms | 1,300+ terms | Public.Law glossaries (CC BY 4.0) |
| Tech terms | 1,430 terms | SnapDic |
Bring the dictionary to every word
SnapDic for Mac is free. Also free for Chrome.
Frequently asked questions
What is SnapDic?
SnapDic is an English dictionary that appears where you read. Rest your mouse on a word, or highlight a short phrase, and its meaning shows in a small balloon above it. It's available free for Chrome and Mac.
Which kinds of words does it explain?
General English words, word forms (past tenses, plurals), idioms and phrasal verbs, slang, SAT and IELTS vocabulary, legal terms, tech terms, and names of people and places.
How accurate is it?
SnapDic uses curated sources first — its own learner definitions and Open English WordNet — and labels every answer with its source. It only uses online sources for words it doesn't have, and it tells you honestly when nothing was found.
Can I turn hovering off?
Yes. Switch hovering off from the panel or menu, or choose to show meanings only while you hold the ⌥ Option key (Mac).