Thesaurus Function?

Scrivener Wish List
1

Hi there! First of all, let me say that I’m a baby user of Scrivener, only a couple weeks at it now. But, I have to say that it’s truly amazing, and let me tell you why.

I’m an author who first published an e-book back in 2012 (using an old 2007 version of MS Word on a PC), and I remember the frustrating days spent in formatting correctly to Smashwords’ standards so I could gain access to the premium catalog. Their style guide was easy to follow, but I’d never done anything in MS Word except open a new document and type. Maybe add in a picture.

Last year, I was diagnosed with cancer, leukemia to be exact. Chemotherapy does horrible things to one’s brain, and when I couldn’t return to work after my treatment, I turned back to writing, and published my first book, plus two others, in print as well as e-format (again, using MS Word 365, all that was available to me at the time).

I picked up on the existence of Scrivener through a Facebook author’s group called Awesome Gang, and it was highly recommended by several authors. So, I checked it out, downloaded the free trial, and played around with it for a few days before deciding it was worth the price and buying the full version. It’s helped me get so much more accomplished in a shorter amount of time on my current WIP, since pesky little things such as character/place descriptions are within easy reach (something I can no longer remember after I’ve written a chapter or two), and I can even keep my research materials such as websites all in one place. It’s also eliminated the pile of Post It notes piling up all over my table!

If I could request one feature, however, it would be that of a thesaurus function similar to MS Word. I never relied heavily on a thesaurus, or even a spell checker for that matter (except for words misspelled because I type so quickly). But, my ability to recall synonyms has been reduced right along with my memory. I’ve downloaded a thesaurus app on my phone, but I’m not sure yet how good it will be. The addition of a thesaurus to Scrivener would make it beyond the perfect writing software, at least for me.

Wonderful job in developing this, and my hat’s off to you!

2

Hi and welcome! It’s nice to hear Scrivener’s been helpful in getting your latest project together!

Scrivener on Windows uses WordNet to offer definitions and synonyms. If you right-click a word that’s in the database, you’ll see “Define…” and “Synonyms” options in the context menu. You can also use the Tools > Writing Tools > Define… menu option or add the dictionary icon to the main toolbar via Tools > Customize Toolbar. The definitions and synonyms aren’t exactly what you’d get in Word–WordNet is more of a “network of meaningfully related words and concepts” (as their homepage says)–but you may find it even more helpful for getting your own creative juices going.

3

Thanks Jennifer! I got it to the “define” function, but when I right click on a word in the definition window all I get is “Copy” “Copy link location” or “select all”. So I think I’m still doing something wrong. Though I did put the “define” icon in the toolbar as you suggested. I often don’t use an external mouse and clicking on something once is easier than pulling down the drop down menu.

4

The WordNet definitions dialog often has synonyms as part of the “definition”. You should also see a “Synonyms” menu option in the editor context menu when you right-click a word, and the synonyms (if the database offers them) will be listed as a submenu in that so you can view them and select the one you want. You need to do this from Scrivener’s editor, not within the dictionary dialog.

5

Hi. I’m having trouble with this as well. When I right click, all I am given is the option to go online to use google, dictionary.com, thesaurus.com etc. I don’t see any ‘define’ option under writing tools and, unless I’m missing it, my version does not have an option to add the dictionary or thesaurus icon to the toolbar.

Is something included in an additional update? I purchased the software off amazon this weekend.

6

The options are in the current release, Scrivener 1.8. You can use Help > About Scrivener to check your current version, but if you just downloaded at the end of December you should be up to date. Not all words are contained in the WordNet dictionary and will have the “Define” option. Try typing “document” in the editor and then right-clicking that. It should show “Define” and “Synonyms” in the context menu, in the section above where “Writing Tools” is found.

There is no “Thesaurus” icon to add to the main toolbar, but there is a “Define” option with an icon of a dictionary. You’ll find it in the “Main Toolbar” list in Tools > Customize Toolbars....

7

Thank you Jennifer! I did have to update for whatever reason. I am finding that many words are missing in this thesaurus and really hope a future update will include a more complete reference :slight_smile: