Google definition tool

Google has a great little tool for finding dictionary definitions of words or phrases. To use Google dictionary, first type “define:” and then the word or phrase you are looking to find the definition of into the Google search field. e.g. define: garden.

This will bring up pages with a lot of definitions for garden and the definitions are pulled from all over the internet. (As an aside, say you needed to cite the definition you have gotten, by adding it to a paper for school. All of the links are in the proper order and can be copied and pasted right into your paper).

But back to the definition. If you are looking for a definition that is a phrase (or more than one word), you should know that whatever you type into the search field after the colon (define:) is seen as a phrase and won’t be broken up into two separate words like when you do a regular Google search. e.g. define: garden hose. Type garden hose into the search box and Google will return results for the complete phrase, “garden hose” and not “garden” or “hose”. It’s a handy little tool.

Google as a calculator?

Did you know that if you type 2 + 2 into the Google search field, it will add it for you? Maybe I have not been using Google long enough to have picked up on this feature, but I am writing this to the others (and I am sure you are out there) who who are as unaware as I was.

Normally if I need to calculate something, I go to my start button, then to programs, then to accessories, and then find the calculator. Usually by that time I finally find my calculator, I have forgotten what I was doing in the first place. But now I can open Google and just type in what I need calculated and Voila! Done!

By the way, Google will calculate all the basics–addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, as well as exponentiation, modulo (whatever that is), choose the root of, and % of, and other operators to name a few.

For more information, try it yourself by typing 2+2 into the Google search field and hit enter. You will get the results of your question, as well as a link to “More about calculator”. Click on that to get the details of this handy little tool.