Word Lookup gives you instant definitions for any word, using the offline dictionary built into Sensory Readable v3. The dictionary contains 147,000+ words with comprehensive definitions, and works in any Windows application without an internet connection.

How to look up a word

The main way to look up a word is the Word Information popup:

  1. Hold Ctrl+Shift
  2. Hover the mouse over the word you want to look up
  3. The Word Information popup appears with the definition, pronunciation, and related entries
  4. Release the keys to dismiss the popup
The Ctrl+Shift hover popup over the word 'Infarction' showing the syllable breakdown 'in-farc-tion' and two icons — a question-mark icon and a book icon — for opening more information or a full definition.
Step 1: Ctrl+Shift hover — syllable breakdown plus quick-access icons.
After clicking the dictionary icon on the Ctrl+Shift popup, the full offline-dictionary definition of 'Infarction' appears: noun — Localised necrosis resulting from obstruction of the blood supply.
Step 2: Click the dictionary icon to see the full definition.

This works in any Windows application — Word, web browsers, PDFs, emails, and so on. For applications where the text is an image (locked PDFs, scanned documents, screenshots), Readable's transparent OCR fallback recognises the word first, then looks it up.

What the popup shows

For each word, the dictionary entry includes:

  • The headword and pronunciation guide
  • Part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.)
  • Numbered definitions for each distinct meaning
  • Example sentences where helpful
  • Cross-links to related entries (synonyms, related forms, homophones)

For full details on the popup itself — including the pictogram, homophone links, and how it integrates with reading — see Word Information popup.

Working offline

The dictionary is installed locally with Sensory Readable v3. Lookups happen instantly because there is no network round-trip. This is particularly important in:

  • Secure exam environments where internet access is blocked (if allowed)
  • Schools and offices with strict content-filtering policies
  • Travel and remote-working scenarios with patchy connectivity
  • Privacy-conscious settings where outbound network requests are unwelcome

Because the lookup is offline, no record of the words you look up leaves your PC. Your reading and study patterns stay private.

Related word tools

Word Lookup is one of several built-in word tools. Related features: