One primary reason that I like reading on Kindle is the utterly convenient dictionary feature. To look up the definition of a strange word on Kindle, we just need to press and hold on the word. But sometimes the default dictionary doesn't work very well especially when it meets some plural nouns or past participle.
Kindle Default Dictionaries 1-12 of 558 results for Kindle Default Dictionaries English Dictionary Complete and Unabridged: More than 725,000 words meanings and phrases (Collins Complete and Unabridged). Nov 29, 2013 Go to your Kindle account online and there you will see a list of your books as well as some other items - FREE DICTIONARIES! Click on the 'Actions.' Button on the right, select 'Deliver to my.' And choose where you want to be able to use the dictionary.
Here we are going to introduce how to add or change the Kindle dictionary. German version please refer to Wie man ein Wörterbuch in Kindle ändert oder hinzufügt.
Add Dictionary to Kindle
1Download the dictionary file to computer
The dictionary for Kindle is actually a .mobi file, which can be downloaded freely from the internet or bought from Amazon Kindle Store. Here I got a Collins Cobuild V3 dictionary file. Yes I like Collins dictionary since my college years.
2Plug Kindle to computer with USB Cable
Every Kindle user should have a USB cable in the box which is shipped with the device. Find it and use it to connect Kindle and computer. Seconds later there will generate a Removable Disk called 'Kindle'. Open it and find 'documentsdictionaries' folder.
3Paste the dictionary file into the 'dictionaries' folder
- Kindle app has its own version of dictionary. You dont need to add any dictionary to it. Everytime you double tap on work, it auto searches the dictionary.
- America's most useful and respected dictionary. In addition to all the definitions from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, this app offers synonyms, antonyms, example sentences, Word of the Day, and more. It’s a great tool for reference, education, and vocabulary building. The app is free, and supported by ads.
4Safe eject Kindle and unplug the USB Cable
Now all the steps on computer are finished. The following job is to make the dictionary file work on Kindle.
Change the default Kindle dictionary
Different generation of Kindle should be set in different ways. Do it as the list below:
- Kindle 3: Home -> Menu -> Settings -> Menu -> Change Primary Dictionary
- Kindle 4: Home -> Menu -> Settings -> Dictionaries
- Kindle Touch: Home -> Menu -> Settings -> Dictionaries
- Kindle DXG: Home -> Menu -> Settings -> Menu -> Change Primary Dictionary
Kindle App Dictionary Android
- Kindle Paperwhite/Kindle Voyage/$79 Kindle: Home -> Menu -> Settings -> Device Options -> Language and Dictionaries -> Dictionaries
- Kindle Oasis: Home -> Menu -> Settings -> Language and Dictionaries -> Dictionaries
As I am using a Kindle Paperwhite at the moment, so I am going to take Kindle Paperwhite for example and introduce the process. And let's start with the 'Dictionaries' screen.
Press the 'Dictionaries' option, and we can see the default Kindle dictionary - 'Oxford Dictionary of English'.
By pressing it we can change the primary dictionary of english. As the screen shows below, 'Oxford Dictionary of English' is defaultly chosen and we need to switch to 'collins3', which is recently imported by me.
Then back to the previous screen we can see the default dictionary for english has been changed.
Now let's check the result.
Want to add foreign language dictionary to Kindle?
No problem! And the steps are pretty similar to the above. Suppose I am reading a book written in french, so I need a french-english dictionary. Ld player mac os.
First we need to download a french to english dictionary file, then transfer to the Kindle dictionary folder. As this is the first french dictionary in my Kindle, I need not to change any settings. The Kindle will choose this file as the primary dictionary for french language.
Then open a french book, press and hold on a word I don't know the definition, and see what happens.
Jonny Greenwood joined Epubor since 2011, loves everything about eBooks and eReaders. He seeks the methods to read eBooks more freely and wants to share all he has got with you.
Most people are misinformed on the subject of how dictionaries work on Kindle ebook readers, so I wanted to put together this guide explaining how to change, add, and create custom dictionaries for Kindle devices.
Last week someone left a comment complaining about how Kindles sucked compared to Kobos because Kindles don’t allow you to use your own dictionaries. I knew that wasn’t correct because it’s easy to sideload dictionaries on Kindles as long they are in the proper format.
Plus the Kindle comes with a couple of English dictionaries pre-installed, along with a bunch of free foreign-language dictionaries that you can download from the cloud.
There are also a number of free Kindle dictionaries in MOBI format that you can download online.
If you can’t find the dictionary you’re looking for online or in the Kindle Store, you can even create your own custom Kindle dictionaries from dictionary databases if you want to.
How to Change Default Kindle Dictionary
The Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Voyage, and $79 Kindle all have the same software features, so changing the dictionary is the same process for all of them.
Go to Settings > Device Options > Language and Dictionaries > Dictionaries to select from your downloaded dictionaries (you can add more to show up here; see sections below).
You can also quickly switch between dictionaries while reading by selecting a word, then tapping the name of the dictionary in the lower right corner of the window.
Included Foreign Language Dictionaries
A lot of people don’t realize that their Kindle comes with a bunch of foreign language dictionaries, at least one for each language it supports.
Since most people only read one language, the dictionaries aren’t downloaded by default. They are located in the “Cloud” section of your Kindle on the homescreen in a folder called “Dictionaries”.
Additionally, you can find all the dictionaries on the Manage Your Content and Devices page at Amazon. Select to show Dictionaries and User Guides.
The current lineup of Kindles come with the following free foreign language dictionaries:
Spanish
Chinese
Russian
Dutch
Japanese
German
Italian
French
Portuguese
There are more that you can get in the Kindle store. Plus there are options to download free online, like these WordNet 3 Easy & Infused Kindle dictionaries.
How to Sideload a Kindle Dictionary
If you downloaded a Kindle dictionary online in MOBI format, or create your own, there are different ways to sideload it on your Kindle:
Option 1 – The Old School Method
1. Plug your Kindle into your computer via USB.
2. Open the Kindle’s documents folder.
3. Place your new dictionaries in the dictionaries folder.
4. Safely eject your Kindle from your computer.
If properly formatted, the dictionary will show up on the dictionary list even if it’s just put in the documents folder instead of the dictionaries folder.
Option 2 – The Super Easy Method
Use one of the Send to Kindle apps or email to send the dictionary to your Kindle wirelessly.
How to Create Custom Kindle Dictionaries
There are ways to create custom Kindle dictionaries for those who aren’t afraid of a little technical work. You can create dictionaries for any language.
Kindle App Russian Dictionary
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create your own Kindle dictionaries for free. The process works with any language.
Fictionary Dictionaries
Some have taken creating custom Kindle dictionaries to a whole new level. Fictionaries take advantage of the Kindle’s built-in dictionary feature to include additional information about details for specific books. They include terms and content specific to the book you are reading. It’s kind of like a more advanced version of the Kindle’s X-Ray feature.
There are Fictionaries for popular fantasy and science fiction epics like George Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series and Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time. There are Fictionaries for classics written by Mark Twain and Jane Austen as well.
Kindle App For Mac
Checkout the Fictionary website for more information and free downloads.