Google Search Engine as a powerful (and free) online dictionary

In this post I share a very handy functionality of the Google Search Engine (GSE) that maybe you didn't discovered yet: it's possible to use the GSE as a powerful online dictionary.

To explain how, please take a look at Fig. 1 below. This is a printscreen of the results returned by the GSE when I searched for definition transistor. It turns out that the GSE top result is the definition of the word "transistor". Hence, for any word you may be interested in, only precede it with the word "definition" or "define", and let GSE work for you.

Note that besides the traditional definition available in most dictionaries, you can hear the pronunciation of the word as well as how the word is pronounced in terms of phonetic symbols (not all paid dictionaries have these features!). Umm, phonetic symbols? Ok, maybe you can get the idea here.

Fig. 1 - Getting the definition of the word "transistor"

Fig. 2 shows the expanded definition of the word "transistor". Sometimes, the origin of the word is depicted in a beautiful and easy-to-read diagram, as in this case. Moreover, you have the possibility to translate the searched word to your native language. (Tip: If you are more focused on the translation of a word than on its definition, then Google Translate may be a better choice for you.) In the bottom of the definition, generally appears a graph indicating how the word has been used over time.

Fig. 2 - Expanding the definition of the word "transistor"

To show that other features, like synonyms and antonyms, are implemented too, Fig. 3 shows the GSE definition for the word "perpendicular".

Fig. 3 - Getting the definition of another word: perpendicular

In summary, GSE functionalities are always enhancing and day-after-day provide us more tools to boost our productivity everywhere (since computers and Internet infrastructure are widespread these days).

References:
- How to search on Google [Accessed 21 April 2014]
- Google Search: Search options [Accessed 21 April 2014]