WPS Dictionary is a built-in word lookup feature for reading and editing documents on iOS; it includes 4 core tasks, with 4 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 4 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 4 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | All listed tasks are available directly |
About This Feature
Overview
WPS Dictionary lets you look up the meaning of selected text in WPS documents on iOS without leaving the current document view. You can check pronunciation, definitions, and parts of speech in the same workflow.
Core capabilities include:
- Quick word lookup: Select text and open the dictionary panel directly.
- Detailed definitions: View pronunciation, definitions, and parts of speech in the panel.
- Online search: Continue searching the selected word on the web.
- Dictionary switching: Switch to or add another dictionary when needed.
This feature is useful for reading English materials, checking word usage, understanding Chinese terms, and handling lightweight study or review tasks on mobile.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | An iPhone or iPad that can run WPS Office normally |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office for iOS |
| Network | Local dictionary viewing is generally available directly; online search requires an active internet connection |
| Other | You need to open a WPS document and be able to select text inside the document |
Download & Installation
Before using Dictionary, install WPS Office on your iPhone or iPad and make sure documents can open normally.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Post-install check | Open any document, select text, and confirm that the Dictionary option appears in the floating menu |
Source: WPS Download Center
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | Select text in a document to open a dictionary panel, then view pronunciation, definitions, and parts of speech, with options for online search and dictionary switching. | Microsoft states that Word for the web supports spelling checks and custom dictionary words, but its built-in word list does not show definitions the way Word for desktop does. | Google Docs help focuses on spelling and grammar checks plus personal dictionary management, and does not describe a built-in in-document definition panel. | Notion officially focuses on AI writing, translation, summaries, and page generation rather than a built-in dictionary lookup panel inside documents. | Adobe Acrobat officially focuses on searching text in PDFs and finding content, rather than an in-document definition panel for selected words. |
| WPS Advantages | Advantage: word lookup stays inside the document reading flow; Distinct: it combines definition viewing, online search, and dictionary switching in one panel. | Compared with WPS: official guidance is centered more on spelling checks and dictionary word management than direct in-document definitions in the web experience. | Compared with WPS: official guidance emphasizes spelling and grammar review instead of select-a-word definition lookup. | Compared with WPS: Notion is more oriented to AI-assisted writing and translation workflows than lightweight instant dictionary access. | Compared with WPS: Adobe is more oriented to PDF text search and navigation than dictionary-style word explanation inside the document. |
| Official Source | — | Where is the dictionary | Check spelling and grammar in Google Docs | What is Notion AI | Searching in PDFs |
Overall Conclusion
If your main goal is to understand words quickly while reading or editing on mobile, WPS Dictionary fits a select-and-look-up workflow more directly. The official materials for the other products focus more on spelling review, AI content assistance, or document search, so their primary use cases are different.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable Users | Main Pain Point | How Dictionary Helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading English materials | Students and office users | Switching between apps interrupts reading | Select text and open Dictionary directly for definitions |
| 2 | Checking Chinese word usage | Editors and writers | A term's meaning or usage is unclear | View definitions and parts of speech in the panel |
| 3 | Expanding word understanding | Learners | Local definitions may not be enough | Use Online Search for more related results |
| 4 | Switching dictionary sources | Users with different lookup habits | One dictionary may not fit every need | Switch or add dictionaries in the panel |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
Based on the current feature scope, Dictionary itself is available without a membership requirement. WPS Premium is generally more suitable for users who also need broader advanced office features.
| Capability | Free Users | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary lookup | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Pronunciation, definitions, and parts of speech | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Online search | ✅ Available with internet access | ✅ Available with internet access |
| Other advanced office features | Use what is available in the product | More advanced capabilities may be available depending on the subscription plan |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Usage Scenario | Recommended Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You only need quick word lookup in documents | Free | The Dictionary feature can be used directly |
| You also need broader advanced office features | WPS Premium | Suitable if you want more advanced tools in the same office suite |
How to Subscribe
- WPS membership center: Subscribe now
Source: WPS Office pricing page