Help & Support

Practical guidance for getting the most out of VocabGlow.

This page is the central support hub for quick help, common questions, troubleshooting, and contact options.

Quick Help

Looking up a word

Select a word on a webpage, then use the VocabGlow helper icon or right-click menu to view details.

Saving a word

After viewing word details, choose from flexible save options: full result, summary, translation only, or edited meaning.

Managing vocabulary and categories

Open your saved list to organise words into categories, search, filter, edit, delete, or export to CSV.

Enabling or disabling highlighting

Check settings to configure highlighting styles (Soft Glow, Marker, Underline), colours, and limits (25/50/100/200).

Checking reminder settings

Open settings to review reminder options, popup statistics, and dictionary source preferences.

FAQ

Is VocabGlow free?

Yes, VocabGlow is completely free to use with no hidden costs or premium features.

How do I look up a word?

Select a word on the page, then use the VocabGlow helper icon or right-click context menu to open the lookup popup.

Can I use VocabGlow without translation?

Yes, translation is optional. You can disable it in settings and focus on English definitions, pronunciation, examples, synonyms, and antonyms.

Can I choose my translation language?

Yes, VocabGlow supports translation into over 100 languages. Select your preferred language in the extension settings.

What information can the lookup popup show?

The popup can display definitions, pronunciation (US/UK), audio, examples, synonyms, antonyms, and optional translation, depending on your settings.

Can I save only a translation or edit the meaning before saving?

Yes, choose from flexible save options: full result, summary, translation only, or edit the meaning before saving to your vocabulary list.

How do categories work?

Organise saved words into custom categories for better management. Use the category dashboard to filter and view words by topic.

Can I import or export my saved words?

Yes, import/export your vocabulary data as CSV files, including category information, through the vocabulary manager.

How does saved-word highlighting work?

Highlighting shows saved words on web pages with styles like Soft Glow, Marker, Underline, custom colours, and limits (25/50/100/200 words).

Can I change highlight colours and style?

Yes, customise highlighting in settings: choose from Soft Glow, Marker, Underline styles, pick colours, and set word limits.

How do review reminders work?

Reminders notify you to review saved vocabulary based on your settings. Enable browser notifications for best results.

Where is my vocabulary data stored?

Your data is stored locally in Chrome extension storage, keeping it private and accessible only on your device.

Which external services does VocabGlow use?

DictionaryAPI.dev for English definitions and related content; MyMemory for optional translations (can be disabled).

Does VocabGlow collect analytics or track me?

No, VocabGlow does not collect analytics, track users, or share personal data. All processing is local or via trusted APIs for lookups.

Troubleshooting

Common issues and quick checks.

Popup not appearing

Refresh the page, confirm the extension is enabled, and try on a standard webpage. Check site permissions if on restricted pages.

Translation not showing

Ensure translation is enabled in settings and check your internet connection, as it requires online access to MyMemory.

Pronunciation audio not playing

Verify your browser allows audio playback and check if the word has available pronunciation data from DictionaryAPI.dev.

Highlighting not working

Enable highlighting in settings, choose a style, and ensure the website allows content modifications from extensions.

CSV import/export issues

Check file format (CSV with headers), ensure categories match, and verify browser download permissions for export.

Reminders not appearing

Enable browser notifications, check system settings, and confirm reminder options are set in VocabGlow settings.

Extension not working on restricted pages

Some sites (like Chrome Web Store) block extensions. Try on regular websites or check for site-specific restrictions.

Permission/site access issues

Go to Chrome extensions, allow site access for VocabGlow, and refresh the page. Avoid overly restrictive content blockers.

Support the Project

Help keep VocabGlow growing.

If VocabGlow helps your learning, rating it in the Chrome Web Store or supporting the project helps keep it growing.

Support VocabGlow