Dictionary app missing dictionary files

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Level 1

8 points

Dictionary app missing dictionary files

Can someone provide the files needed to fix this?

A thread on the same question is closed and the link provided back then no longer works. Here is the answer they provided:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251266662

I had this exact same issue. I thought re-installing the OS to get some dictionary files sounded absolutely preposterous so I kept looking and I found this Reddit post which explains what to do (except that the folder has changed from Assets to AssetsV2 in Catalina):

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/7td89m/missing_dictionary_sources_in_the_dictionary_app/

In sum:

Go to /System/Library/AssetsV2/com_apple_MobileAsset_DictionaryServices_dictionaryOSX/
Open each of the .asset folders (for example, 3a05527a5cf89ca1e975dfef8c7f8195b0318c98.asset)
Open the AssetData folder in each of these folders
You will see a .dictionary file in each AssetData folder
Copy all the .dictionary files to ~/Library/Dictionaries/ (create the folder if it doesn't exist)
Quit and re-open Dictionary and you will be back in business!

Notes:

If you can't see a folder, try Cmd-Shift-. (period) in the Finder to show all files
The files mysteriously disappeared from the AssetsV2 folder after re-opening Dictionary ...?

User "muriel178" provieded a link then but it no longer works and I have no way of contacting him.

I'd appreciate any help, I've been struggling with the dictionary problem for a long time now!

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 23, 2021 5:53 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 23, 2021 8:17 AM in response to michalis209

michalis209 wrote:

Dictionary app missing dictionary files

Can someone provide the files needed to fix this?

I had this exact same issue. I thought re-installing the OS to get some dictionary files sounded absolutely preposterous...

I'd appreciate any help, I've been struggling with the dictionary problem for a long time now!

?

Verify you have made changes to Dictionary >Preferences

makes some changes...

Dictionary User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

There is no stand-alone Dictionary.app to reinstall for these baked in applications—therefore the way to sort the issue is re-install the macOs, easy enough to do from Recovery:

How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

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Answer 2

Apr 23, 2021 9:51 AM in response to michalis209

michalis209 wrote:

Lol, there’s a way without reinstalling the whole OS from scratch.

only Wikipedia’s shown in preferences

You are not re-installing anything from scratch...(?)

Simply refresh the macOS and associated baked in applications by refreshing the macOS on top of your existing macOS, to sort anomalies like you are experiencing.

This is done from macOS Recovery - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

You have choices here, so choose wisely.

Maybe I am missing something ...

please advise

To trouble shoot further you can:

—Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5-15 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc.

Login and test. Reboot as normal and test as caches get rebuilt.

In Safe mode third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled, it removes malware, etc hampering smooth operation, however a reboot will put it back to normal mode.

This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-other-users-on-your-mac-mtusr001/mac

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account.

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

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Answer 3

michalis209 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 23, 2021 8:57 AM in response to leroydouglas

Lol, there’s a way without reinstalling the whole OS from scratch.

only Wikipedia’s shown in preferences

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Dictionary app missing dictionary files

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