define
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Description:
Command-line dictionary (thesaurus) app, with access to multiple sources
Type: Formula  |  Latest Version: 0.4.0@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 17, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: dictionary thesaurus cli productivity developer-tools
Install: brew install define
About:
Define is a fast, terminal-based dictionary and thesaurus application that aggregates definitions from multiple sources. It allows developers to quickly look up word meanings without leaving their command-line environment. The tool supports customizable sources and provides clean, readable output for efficient workflow integration.
Key Features:
  • Supports multiple dictionary sources (Wordnik, Google Dictionary, etc.)
  • Configurable via a simple JSON configuration file
  • Fast lookups with clean, formatted terminal output
  • Customizable color schemes and formatting
Use Cases:
  • Developers looking up technical terminology while coding
  • Writers checking word definitions and synonyms in the terminal
  • Language learners verifying word meanings without GUI context switching
Alternatives:
  • wordnet – Local lexical database, requires offline setup vs Define's web API approach
  • curl dict – Uses standard DICT protocol but lacks Define's unified interface and customization
License: MIT
Bottles available for: arm64_tahoe, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_ventura, arm64_monterey, sonoma, ventura, monterey, arm64_linux, x86_64_linux
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 15, 2025 5:39am 0 VERSION_BUMP 411d8dc6