Unlock word meanings instantly with web search! In today’s world, finding the definition of an unfamiliar term has never been easier. With just a few clicks, you can access a wealth of information, including definitions, images, usage examples, and even synonyms. By conducting an image web search, you can easily find visual representations that bring vocabulary to life, helping to solidify the meaning in your mind. A web search is a quick and convenient method to not only enhance your vocabulary but also deepen your understanding of language in context.
The benefits of using a web search tool:
- Quick method for viewing definitions, images, usage examples, and even synonyms
- Combines visual and text information for multimodal learning
- Benefit of an image search – visual information is faster to process than text information
Follow the instructions to use a web search tool as a vocabulary comprehension strategy. To begin, open up either the Edge or Chrome web browser on either a Mac or Windows computer. Use the login instructions on the Free Microsoft Account and Free Google Account page to open Word Online in one tab and Google Docs in another tab.
Remember to keep some offline solutions in your environment when reading paper materials or when technology is unavailable (no battery power or lost WiFi connection). For example, have a traditional paper dictionary, translation dictionary, or similar items on your shelf.
Microsoft: Image web search and text web search
Web search inside of Word Online
- Open a document in Word Online.
- Type a word in the search bar above the menu (inside Word Online). Click Bing (b icon) in the search bar drop down.
- View search results in a side bar.
- To view images, click More and select Pictures or just scroll to Picture section of web search results.
Image web search in the Edge web browser
Likewise, you can view information and images of a word using the Edge web browser. Open the Edge Browser for Mac and Windows, type a word in the search bar and enter. When web search results appear, view the results for information or click the Image tab for visual representation.
Google: Image web search and text web search
Explore tool in Docs (also available in Slides)
- Use the Explore tool in Docs or Slides to find information and images representing a word.
- Open a document in Docs or Slides.
- Select Tools.
- Click Explore.
- Type a word in the search bar.
- View the results. Select the Image tab to see illustrations or photographs.
Image search in the Chrome web browser
You may also conduct image search with the Image Google web browser at image.google.com. The search results will be visual representations of the word.
Additionally, you can use the standard Google web search page at google.com and click the Image tab of the search results page to view images representing the searched word.
Google Help article: Search for images in Google
More tools to aid in vocabulary comprehension
To help with vocabulary comprehension while reading online, also try the following 5 strategies. These technology tools are built into Microsoft Word Online, the Microsoft Edge web browser, Google Docs, and/or the Google Chrome web browser.
- Digital dictionary
- Picture dictionary
- Syllables and parts of speech feature
- Translation tool
- Pronunciation tool
Resources
Tips for learning new vocabulary
5 Strategies for Understanding New Vocabulary – helpful article from Literacy in Focus
Subscription web browser extensions with vocabulary comprehension support
These resources are provided simply to create awareness about additional options for vocabulary strategies. It is a curated list of web browser extensions in alphabetical order.
Helperbird – A toolbar with digital support tools for reading. Helperbird has a digital dictionary with audio pronunciation and a translation tool. Plus, the Helperbird toolbar has a button to access Immersive Reader and the tools such as the Picture Dictionary. Install as a browser extension. Free trial period.
Kurzweil 3000 – Software with digital support tools for reading and writing. Kurzweil 3000 has a digital dictionary, picture dictionary, talking dictionary, translation tool, text-to-speech, and vocabulary study guides. Can install as a browser extension. Free trail period.
Read&Write – A software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. Read&Write includes a digital dictionary, picture dictionary, translation tool, and text-to-speech for pronunciation. Can be installed as a browser extension. Free 30 day trial.
Snap&Read – Another software toolbar with digital support tools for reading and writing. Snap&Read includes a picture dictionary, translation tool, and text-to-speech for pronunciation. Can be installed as a browser extension. Free trial period.
Note: Some educational institutions and workplaces have a subscription to these software packages as part of inclusion practices. Check to see if you have already have access to these tools through your school or employer, if applicable.
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