OSX Dictionary CLI

Access the Mac OSX Dictionary app via the command line.

Installation

• Download the latest release. Only available for OSX (tested on El Capitan).
• Place the binary on your path, e.g. /usr/local/bin/dictionary

Alternatively you can build the project with Xcode 7.3 or later. After running the build (⌘R), right click on the Products group and select Show in Finder.

Usage

dictionary cat
# cat 1 |kat| ▶noun 1 a small domesticated carnivorous mammal with soft fur...

Formats

Adjust the output with -f or --format flags:

• text: Plaintext output
• html: Default Dictionary.app output
• speech-part: Parses the speech part of the first definition (e.g. noun, verb)

Background

This CLI uses DictionaryKit to fetch definitions via private Dictionary Services on OSX. This private API usage is not suitable for App Store apps. Read more background about dictionary services on NSHipster.