macOS includes a feature called “Look Up & data detectors” that allows you to firmly press (force click) or three-finger tap on any word to instantly view its dictionary definition, Wikipedia summary, or related information. While this feature can be a useful research tool, many Mac users find it highly disruptive. It is incredibly easy to trigger the dictionary pop-up by accident while simply resting your fingers on the trackpad or attempting to highlight text.
If the yellow dictionary pop-up frequently interrupts your workflow, typing, or web browsing, you can easily disable the trackpad gesture entirely within the System Settings.
How to Turn Off the Look Up Gesture
Disabling the Look Up feature will not remove the dictionary from your Mac; it merely stops the trackpad gesture from triggering the pop-up window.
To disable the gesture on macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or later:
- Click the Apple menu (the Apple logo) in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select System Settings from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down the left sidebar and click on Trackpad.
- On the right side of the window, locate the Point & Click tab at the top.
- Find the option labelled Look up & data detectors.
- Click the dropdown menu next to it and select Off.
If you are using an older version of macOS (Monterey or earlier), the process is slightly different. You must open System Preferences, click on Trackpad, navigate to the Point & Click tab, and uncheck the box directly next to Look up & data detectors.
Alternative: Changing the Trigger Gesture
If you occasionally use the dictionary feature but find the current gesture too sensitive, you do not have to turn it off completely. You can change the gesture to something less prone to accidental activation.
In the same Trackpad settings menu, click the dropdown next to “Look up & data detectors”. Instead of selecting “Off”, choose Force Click with one finger (if your trackpad supports Force Touch) or Tap with three fingers.
Switching from a three-finger tap to a firm Force Click is usually the best compromise. A Force Click requires deliberate, heavy pressure on the trackpad, making it virtually impossible to trigger the dictionary pop-up by accident while casually moving your cursor or highlighting text.