One of the features I really like on my Kindle is the ability to look up words in the dictionary. In my pre-Kindle days, I usually didn’t look things up, only because a dictionary was rarely close at hand while I was reading. But the Kindle, because it is so easy, I’ve become quite enamored of the “Lookup” feature.

On the Kindle Klassic, to look up a word, move the silver scroll to the line with the unknown word and click. From the menu that appears, choose “Lookup.” A window will open with definitions of all the words in that line. Scroll to the word in question and click again and a more detailed definition will appear. To return to your book, press the BACK key once.

Screenshot of "My Clippings" with definitions from the dictionary

On the K2, the dictionary function has changed quite a bit. No longer are you given definitions for all the words in line; instead, use the 5-way controller to move the cursor up and over to the specific word you are interested in. At the bottom of the screen, a “mini” definition will appear in the search box. To read a more detailed definition, press the ENTER key (the arrow with a tail on the right hand side of the keyboard) and the dictionary entry will open. The BACK key returns you to your place in your book.

A new feature in the K2 is the ability to highlight a definition and save it to your clippings file. Personally, I need to read a word and its definition several times over the course of several days to really learn it and have it stay it my mind. The ability to highlight and save so that I can go back and review the word is a great new feature in the K2.

We have a thread on Kindleboards where people (well, mostly me!) share new words they’ve learned on their Kindles. Come join us and share your disquisition on the topic!