# Kindle Fire dictionary question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-fire-dictionary-question/659645
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 29, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-fire-dictionary-question/659645 "2013-05-29T18:46:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-fire-dictionary-question/659645/1 "2013-05-29T18:46:25Z")
I downloaded the New Oxford American Dictionary some time ago. It works just fine when I touch a word in any book or document I am reading. It immediately shows the definition and other information for that word. Then I merely tap the back arrow to return to page I was reading.
However, when i go to “Books,” open the dictionary, click on “Search” and type in a word, it shows a huge number of hits with that word as part of longer words. I have tried putting a space before and after the word I type in the search box, starting it with a capital letter, but nothing seems to help.
I would have thought the word I typed in would be the first one shown, followed by it as parts of words, but no such luck.
As with most search engines, you have a choice of the word only or as part of other words. Nothing like that here that i can see.
Any way around this problem?
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### Author:  [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-fire-dictionary-question/659645/2 "2013-05-29T18:51:52Z")
Geoff, first of all I am awe of you. 85 years old and happily using an e-reader. You inspire me.
Second, one solution to your issue would be to download a dictionary app. I use Merriam-Webster on my phone. It’s free.
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### Author:  [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-fire-dictionary-question/659645/3 "2013-05-29T21:30:21Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Geoff, first of all I am awe of you. 85 years old and happily using an e-reader. You inspire me.
Aww, you are making me blush. Thanks anyway. The sad news is that in a couple of months, I’ll be 86. Since I’ve been using computers since 1981, it isn’t all that surprising that I love eBooks.
> [@](#):
>
> Second, one solution to your issue would be to download a dictionary app. I use Merriam-Webster on my phone. It’s fee
Great, many thanks for that. Never even thought of doing that (you can see that age is rotting my brain).I will apply for app asap. 😃
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### Author:  [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-fire-dictionary-question/659645/4 "2013-05-29T21:48:26Z")
**Crotalus,** again, many many thanks. I just downloaded the app (does anybody in the younger generations know that “app” stands for "application?) and I love it!
I particularly appreciate that it begins displaying possible words as soon as I type in a few letters.
Merci, dom arigato, danke schoen, und muchos gracias!!!
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### Author:  [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2013, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-fire-dictionary-question/659645/5 "2013-05-29T22:46:26Z")
Geoff, I’m glad I could help.