You want to look up a word’s definition in Word without the Smart Lookup sidebar opening and taking up screen space. The default behavior of Smart Lookup launches the Research pane or the Insights sidebar, which can be disruptive when you only need a quick definition. This article explains how to use the built-in dictionary feature in Word to get definitions without opening the sidebar. You will learn the keyboard shortcut and menu path that bypass the full Smart Lookup panel.
Key Takeaways: Getting Definitions Without the Sidebar in Word
- Ctrl+Shift+F7 (Windows) or Ctrl+Command+D (Mac): Opens the dictionary definition in a small pop-up window, not the sidebar.
- Review > Dictionary (Windows and Mac): The ribbon button that shows definitions inline without triggering Smart Lookup.
- Right-click > Look Up (Windows) or Look Up (Mac): Opens the same dictionary pop-up, not the Insights sidebar.
How the Dictionary Feature Differs From Smart Lookup
Smart Lookup in Word is a research tool that pulls definitions, web results, and images from Bing. When you select a word and click Smart Lookup from the Review tab or the right-click menu, Word opens the Insights sidebar on the right side of the window. This sidebar contains a definition card, but it also shows links to Wikipedia, news articles, and web searches. For users who only want a quick word definition, this sidebar is unnecessary and can slow down the workflow.
Word has a separate dictionary feature that shows only the definition in a compact pop-up. This feature is part of the Windows or macOS dictionary, not the Bing-powered Smart Lookup. It does not connect to the internet and does not open any sidebar pane. The dictionary pop-up appears near the selected word and disappears when you click outside it. This is the correct tool for users who want definitions without the sidebar.
Prerequisites for Using the Dictionary Pop-Up
The dictionary pop-up works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as macOS. It requires that the Windows or macOS dictionary is enabled on your system. On Windows, this is enabled by default. On macOS, you can verify by opening System Preferences > Spotlight and ensuring Dictionary is checked. The feature is available in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. It does not work in Word Online because Word Online uses Smart Lookup exclusively.
Steps to Get a Definition Without Opening the Sidebar
These three methods produce the same result: a small pop-up with the word’s definition. No sidebar opens.
Method 1: Use the Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)
- Select the word
Click and drag your cursor over the word you want to define. A single word is best, but the feature also works for a short phrase. - Press Ctrl+Shift+F7 on Windows or Ctrl+Command+D on Mac
Word immediately opens a small pop-up window near the selected word. The pop-up shows the word’s part of speech and definition. No sidebar appears. - Click anywhere outside the pop-up to close it
The pop-up disappears. You can also press Escape to close it.
Method 2: Use the Right-Click Menu
- Right-click the word
Place your cursor on the word and right-click. The context menu appears. - Select Look Up from the menu
On Windows, the option is labeled Look Up. On Mac, it is also Look Up. Do not select Smart Lookup — that opens the sidebar. The Look Up option opens the same dictionary pop-up as the keyboard shortcut. - Read the definition and close the pop-up
The pop-up shows the definition. Click outside it or press Escape to close it.
Method 3: Use the Review Tab Ribbon
- Select the word
Highlight the word in your document. - Go to Review > Dictionary
On Windows, the Dictionary button is in the Proofing group of the Review tab. On Mac, it is labeled Dictionary in the same tab. Clicking it opens the dictionary pop-up, not the sidebar. - Close the pop-up after reading
The pop-up behaves the same way as the other methods.
Common Mistakes When Trying to Avoid the Sidebar
Accidentally Clicking Smart Lookup Instead of Look Up
The right-click menu contains both Look Up and Smart Lookup. Smart Lookup is usually the second option from the top. Look Up is below it. If you click Smart Lookup, the Insights sidebar opens. To avoid this, read the menu carefully and choose Look Up. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+F7 is safer because it bypasses the menu entirely.
Using the Thesaurus Instead of the Dictionary
The Thesaurus pane also opens in the sidebar. If you need a definition, do not use the Thesaurus. The Thesaurus shows synonyms, not definitions. Use the Dictionary button on the Review tab or the Look Up right-click option instead.
Word Online Does Not Have the Dictionary Pop-Up
Word Online (the browser version) does not support the local dictionary pop-up. In Word Online, selecting a word and clicking the Review tab shows only Smart Lookup. The Smart Lookup sidebar always opens. If you need definitions without the sidebar, use the desktop version of Word.
Dictionary Pop-Up vs Smart Lookup Sidebar: Key Differences
| Item | Dictionary Pop-Up | Smart Lookup Sidebar |
|---|---|---|
| Opens as | Small pop-up near the word | Full sidebar on the right side |
| Requires internet | No | Yes |
| Shows web results | No | Yes |
| Keyboard shortcut | Ctrl+Shift+F7 (Windows) or Ctrl+Command+D (Mac) | Alt+Click on the word (Windows) or Option+Click (Mac) |
| Available in Word Online | No | Yes |
| Closes automatically | Click outside or press Escape | Click the X in the sidebar |
You can now get word definitions in Word without the Smart Lookup sidebar opening. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+F7 on Windows or Ctrl+Command+D on Mac for the fastest access. If you prefer the mouse, right-click the word and choose Look Up. To disable Smart Lookup entirely and prevent accidental sidebar openings, go to File > Options > General and uncheck Enable Smart Lookup. This removes the Smart Lookup option from the right-click menu and the Review tab, leaving only the dictionary pop-up available.