The built-in Dictionary application on macOS is an incredibly useful tool for quickly checking definitions and synonyms. However, by default, the application uses a relatively small font size designed to fit as much information on the screen as possible. If you are reading lengthy Wikipedia summaries within the app, or if you simply prefer larger text to reduce eye strain, you can easily customize the font size to make the text far more legible.
How to Change the Font Size in the Dictionary App
Unlike many other macOS applications, the Dictionary app does not bury its text sizing options deep within the System Settings. You can adjust the font dynamically using the main application menu.
- Open Launchpad (or use Spotlight Search by pressing
Command + Space) and open the Dictionary application. - Look at the Apple menu bar at the absolute top-left of your screen and click on the View menu.
- In the drop-down menu, you will see two primary options for text manipulation: Make Text Bigger and Make Text Smaller.
- Click Make Text Bigger. The text within the definition window will immediately scale up in size.
- You can click this option multiple times. Each click will increase the font size by one increment until it reaches your desired legibility.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If you find yourself constantly adjusting the font size depending on how far away you are sitting from your monitor, using the menu bar is inefficient. You can scale the text instantly using keyboard shortcuts.
- Increase Size: Press and hold the Command (⌘) key, then press the Plus (+) key.
- Decrease Size: Press and hold the Command (⌘) key, then press the Minus (-) key.
These shortcuts are universal across almost all macOS applications, including Safari and Notes, making them highly valuable to memorize.
Resetting the Font Size
If you have scaled the text up so large that the definitions are difficult to read, or if you accidentally made the text microscopic, you can instantly return the application to its default factory setting.
- Click on the View menu in the top menu bar.
- Click Actual Size.
Alternatively, you can press Command (⌘) + 0 on your keyboard to instantly snap the font size back to the macOS default.