Widgets Dictionary

All I had to do was:

1. Open up the Dictionary app and download dictionaries--the app prompted me to do so.

2. Go to: System preferences -> Mission control -> switch off Dashboard. Turn it back on if desired.

3. Open Dashboard from Applications or the Dock. The dictionary widget should now work.

I was able to access the dictionary after the dictionaries finished downloading in the Dictionary app without having to restart. It might not even be necessary to turn off Dashboard either. It's possible that the delay from turning it off was enough to populate the widget.

When you opened the Dictionary app, were you prompted to download dictionaries? If definitions appear in the app, the dictionary widget should work. Note that you may need to select an entry from the picker at the top left of the widget (that is, select Dictionary from the list of Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Apple).

All I had to do was:

1. Go to System Preferences > Mission Control > Dashboard (select off)
2. A moment later I clicked on Dashboard again and turned it on (I selected "As Overlay").

I didn't have to re-download the dictionary.

If you are still stuck, an easy way to open the dictionary app is:

1. Hit "command + space" to open spotlight.
2. Type in "dictionary" and press "return"
3. I had no errors in the app which meant I didn't need to download any dictionary files or updates.

P.S. I also turned on a "Hot Corner" (also available in Preferences > Mission Control) so that if I send my mouse to the bottom left side of my screen, the Dashboard opens right up 🙂

Have you tried removing it and adding it back? Download a new copy?

Widgets

The Dictionary app is included with the operating system, and is located in your Applications folder.