Skip to main content

How to Look Up a Word from the Floating Toolbar

Learn how to select a word on any page and look up its meaning straight from Helperbird's floating toolbar, without leaving what you are reading.

·

  • features

What This Does

Select a word you do not know and press Dictionary. Helperbird looks it up for you.


Who is This For?

This is helpful for:

  • Students meeting new vocabulary while reading
  • Anyone reading something written above their usual level
  • People learning English
  • Anyone who would otherwise open a new tab and lose their place

Step 1: Open the Toolbar

If the toolbar is closed, it sits in the bottom-left corner as a single round button. Click it to open the row of tools.

The Helperbird floating toolbar open along the bottom of a web page, showing its row of tools

If you do not see it at all, it needs turning on first. See how to turn on the floating toolbar.


Step 2: Use It

Drag across the word you want, then press Dictionary on the toolbar.

Looking a selected word up in the dictionary from the Helperbird floating toolbar

For definitions, examples and similar words in a fuller view, see the Helperbird Dictionary.


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

Printed from the Helperbird Help Center · Updated August 13th, 2026

Questions? We are happy to help — helperbird.com/support

Reviews from the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons and G2

Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.

Wow what great tool, I love it! Keep up the excellent work. Add more fonts in the future and cant wait for the ios version!!
A Google UserHelperbird user
I love and use Helperbird for Chrome and I think it's a great tool!
Walter WashburnHelperbird user
Great app for anyone who is reading a lot on their browser.
daklyyiPhone and iPad user
Helperbird logo: a stylized owl with large round yellow eyes and a beige face.

Download Helperbird

Text to speech, dyslexia fonts, reading rulers, color overlays, and 43 more.

Free to add, and the everyday tools stay free. Works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.