The fastest way to disable Dictionary on Mac

The Dictionary app on Mac can be disabled in System Settings under Siri & Spotlight. Open System Settings, go to Siri & Spotlight, and uncheck the box next to Dictionary. This removes Dictionary from Spotlight search results and disables the three-finger tap gesture that opens it. If you want to keep Dictionary installed but just stop the gesture, you can remap or disable it in System Settings under Trackpad or Keyboard Shortcuts instead.

The method you choose depends on whether you want to hide Dictionary entirely or just prevent it from opening accidentally. Most people find the Spotlight method fastest because it handles both the search results and the gesture in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling Dictionary in Siri & Spotlight removes it from search results and turns off the three-finger tap gesture that opens it.
  • You can remap the three-finger tap gesture to do something else or disable it entirely without removing Dictionary from your Mac.
  • The Dictionary app itself stays installed on your Mac; disabling it only hides it from Spotlight and removes the gesture.
  • If you want to completely remove Dictionary, you can delete it from the Applications folder, though this is not necessary for most users.

Disable Dictionary through Siri & Spotlight settings

Open System Settings and click Siri & Spotlight in the sidebar. Scroll down the list of apps and find Dictionary. Uncheck the box next to it. This single step removes Dictionary from Spotlight search results and disables the three-finger tap gesture on your trackpad that normally opens the Dictionary app.

After you uncheck Dictionary, close System Settings. The change takes effect immediately. If you search for a word in Spotlight, Dictionary results will no longer appear. The three-finger tap gesture will also stop working.

Disable the three-finger tap gesture without hiding Dictionary

If you want to keep Dictionary in Spotlight but stop the three-finger tap from opening it, go to System Settings and click Trackpad in the sidebar. Click the Gestures tab at the top. Look for the option labeled "Look up & data detectors" and uncheck it. This disables only the gesture, not the app itself.

Alternatively, you can remap the gesture to do something else. In the same Gestures tab, click the dropdown next to "Look up & data detectors" and choose a different action, such as opening Notification Center or Mission Control. This way the gesture still works but triggers a different function.

Remap the gesture to a different action

The three-finger tap gesture does not have to open Dictionary. You can reassign it to any action your Mac supports. In System Settings, go to Trackpad, then Gestures, and click the dropdown next to "Look up & data detectors." The menu shows options like Mission Control, App Exposé, Launchpad, and Show Desktop.

Choose whichever action you find useful. If you do not want the gesture to do anything at all, uncheck the box instead of selecting a different action. This leaves the gesture disabled without reassigning it.

Completely remove Dictionary from your Mac

If you want to delete Dictionary entirely, open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Find Dictionary in the list, right-click it, and select Move to Bin. Dictionary will be removed from your Mac. You can reinstall it later from the App Store if you change your mind.

Most users do not need to delete Dictionary completely. Disabling it in Siri & Spotlight is usually enough because it removes the app from view and stops the gesture from working. Deleting it is only necessary if you want to free up storage space or completely remove the app from your system.

Why Dictionary keeps appearing in Spotlight

If Dictionary results still show up in Spotlight after you thought you disabled it, check that you unchecked the right box in Siri & Spotlight settings. Open System Settings, go to Siri & Spotlight, and scroll down to verify that Dictionary is unchecked. Sometimes the setting does not save if you close System Settings too quickly.

Another reason Dictionary might still appear is if you have multiple user accounts on your Mac. Disabling Dictionary in Siri & Spotlight only affects the account you are currently logged into. If you switch to a different user account, Dictionary will still be enabled there. You will need to disable it separately for each account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling Dictionary delete it from my Mac?

No. Disabling Dictionary in Siri & Spotlight only hides it from search results and turns off the gesture. The app remains installed on your Mac. If you want to completely remove it, you must manually delete it from the Applications folder.

Can I disable the three-finger tap without hiding Dictionary from Spotlight?

Yes. Go to System Settings, click Trackpad, then Gestures, and uncheck "Look up & data detectors." This disables only the gesture while keeping Dictionary available in Spotlight search results.

What if I want to use Dictionary again later?

If you disabled it in Siri & Spotlight, open System Settings, go to Siri & Spotlight, and check the box next to Dictionary again. If you deleted it, you can reinstall it from the App Store at no cost.

Does this work the same way on all Macs?

The steps are the same on all Macs running recent versions of macOS. The exact location of settings may vary slightly depending on your macOS version, but Siri & Spotlight and Trackpad settings are in the same general area across all recent versions.