WEBSITE: http://wordweb.info/free/
The Free WordWeb Dictionary
When you first install and run WordWeb, you'll notice how simple the interface is. The top field is where you can type in the word that you want to look up, the field below it is where the definitions are provided, and the bottom area is where you can quickly look up similarly spelled words and synonyms for the word you've searched. Impressively, the software even provides "types of" things that relate to the word you've searched for.
Searching for Related Concepts
This feature is very powerful for those times when you are trying to think of a word but you just can't put your finger on it. By typing in similar words that are related to what you're trying to think of, this tool comes up with a list of related phrases which may very well be the word that you're trying to think of. For many writers, this feature saves countless excruciating hours of trying to extract words from the depths of one's own stubborn brain.
Accessing Online Word Information
Another very useful feature about this software is that it is Internet enabled. Major reference resources are integrated into WordWeb, like Wikipedia, Wiktionary and WordWeb Online. Clicking on each of these tabs brings you to the related reference web pages for the particular word or phrase that you've searched for.
Changing Words is Fast and Easy
Any time you want to change the word that you're researching, all you have to do is type in the new word into the field at the top. When you do, the information on every tab automatically changes to reference the new word or phrase.
visual Listing of All Word Types
A nice feature is that when you search for any word, you will see a visual status of which word types exist. For example, if you search for "dance," the "Nouns" and "Verbs" status lights up, letting you know that to "dance" is a verb, yet a "dance" is a noun. While the main window automatically lists all of the meanings for a particular phrase, you can focus on just one type by clicking on the active status. For example, clicking on Verbs will display only those meanings for "dance" - and all nouns, adjectives or adverbs for your search will disappear from the display.
Enable Child Safety Features
If you access the application preferences, you'll find that you can customize how the application behaves in a few small but important ways. For example, you can enable it to automatically launch upon startup so that it is always available while you're using your computer. You can also have the software automatically block all vulgar or offensive words - a very nice feature when you have children using the software for their school work.
Probably the most powerful feature of WordWeb is its ability to integrate with everything you do on your computer. You can enable certain mouse clicks or keystrokes to look up any word that is under your mouse at that moment.
Access WordWeb No Matter What You're doing
Imagine the situations when this will come in handy. If a high school student is conducting research for a science paper, and comes across a complicated term that they don't know, by simply clicking the left mouse button while hovering over the word, WordWeb provides an instant definition. No need to open up any word process, the WordWeb software is always there, running in the background and waiting to look up any word that you want it to.
If you don't like using your mouse and would rather use quick keystrokes, you can enable the software to look up the word under your mouse using any keystroke you like. The software defaults to Ctrl+Alt+W.
Look Up Any Word From Anywhere
While the ability to look up words quickly is an excellent tool for kids doing research or writing a paper for homework, it's also a very powerful tool for adults as well. Imagine reading a news article, and if you'd like to look up a word in the article, just highlight the word and enter the hot-keys. WordWeb immediately comes to the foreground and instantly provides you with the meaning of the word.
WordWeb makes a great addition to school computers, library computers, or anywhere else where students or adults conduct a great deal of research. A lot of research involves understanding the meaning of new words and linking those words to other related phrases. The fact that WordWeb performs both of these functions makes it a very useful and powerful free tool. The price is excellent for schools that are strapped for cash - since it's free - and the learning curve is so simple that even grade school students can quickly learn to use the software.
Download and installation is a snap, and once you try this great free dictionary software, you'll never need another spelling lookup tool again.
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