Why Use the Chrome Extension?
The WordByWord.io Chrome extension bridges the gap between reading content on the web and building your vocabulary. Instead of switching between a webpage and the app to manually add words, you can highlight any word or phrase in your browser and save it to a collection instantly. The extension also includes advanced features like Spotlight mode, which highlights words you have already learned directly on web pages.
Installing the Extension
Follow these steps to install the WordByWord.io Chrome extension:
- Open the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
- Navigate to the Chrome Web Store and search for WordByWord.io, or use the direct link provided on the WordByWord.io website.
- Click Add to Chrome on the extension listing page.
- Confirm the installation when prompted by Chrome. The extension icon will appear in your browser toolbar.
After installation, click the extension icon and sign in with the same account you use on wordbyword.io. You can sign in with email and password or use Google authentication. This links the extension to your existing collections and vocabulary data.
Pinning the extension
If the icon does not appear in your toolbar, click the puzzle piece icon in Chrome's toolbar to see all installed extensions. Find WordByWord.io in the list and click the pin icon to keep it visible for easy access.
Selecting a collection
Before you start saving words, open the extension popup by clicking its icon and select a target collection from the dropdown. All words you save will be added to this collection. You can change the active collection at any time or create a new one directly from the extension popup.
Saving Words from Web Pages
Once the extension is installed and you are signed in, saving words takes just a few steps.
How to save a word
- Navigate to any webpage in the language you are studying.
- Highlight a word or short phrase by clicking and dragging your cursor over it.
- A small floating button with the WordByWord.io logo will appear near your selection. Click it to open the translation popup.
- The popup shows the selected text along with suggested translations from the built-in translation service. You can select one or more suggestions, or click the add button to type your own translation.
- Click Save to add the word to your active collection.
Alternatively, you can right-click on any highlighted text and choose Translate from the context menu to open the same translation popup.
The saved word is immediately available in your collection on the main WordByWord.io app. You can start training with it in your next session.
Double-click mode
In the extension settings, you can enable double-click mode. When active, double-clicking a word on any page will immediately open the translation popup without needing to click the floating button first. This speeds up the workflow when you are reading intensively and encountering many unfamiliar words.
Handling phrases and multi-word expressions
The extension supports saving not just single words but also short phrases. If you highlight a multi-word expression like "break the ice" or "a pesar de," the entire phrase is captured. This is useful for learning idiomatic expressions and collocations that do not translate word by word.
Spotlight Mode
Spotlight is one of the most powerful features of the extension. When enabled, it highlights words you have already saved and studied directly on web pages as you browse.
How it works
The extension loads your vocabulary data and scans the text on each page you visit. Words that match terms in your collections are visually highlighted. This creates a natural immersion experience — you can see your learning progress reflected in real content.
Spotlight mode helps reinforce memorization by providing passive exposure to your vocabulary in authentic contexts, beyond the structured training sessions in the app.
How Syncing Works
The Chrome extension communicates directly with your WordByWord.io account in real time. When you save a word through the extension, it is sent to the server and added to the selected collection immediately. There is no separate sync step required.
This means:
- Words saved from the extension appear in the web app right away.
- Training progress for those words is tracked the same way as manually added words.
- If you delete a word in the web app, it is removed everywhere.
The extension also syncs your authentication session with the wordbyword.io website. If you are signed in on the website, the extension will detect your session automatically.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
The floating button does not appear when I highlight text
Make sure the extension is enabled. Click the puzzle piece icon in Chrome's toolbar, find WordByWord.io, and verify it is toggled on. Also check that you are signed in by clicking the extension icon. Some websites with strict content security policies may prevent the button from appearing.
Words are not appearing in my collection
Verify your internet connection and ensure you are logged in to the same account in both the extension and the web app. Make sure you have selected a target collection in the extension popup. Try refreshing the collection page in the app.
The extension icon is missing
Open Chrome's extension management page by navigating to chrome://extensions. Confirm that WordByWord.io is installed and enabled. If it is not listed, reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store.
Getting the Most from the Extension
Build a habit of saving unfamiliar words as you encounter them during everyday browsing. Reading foreign-language news, blogs, or social media becomes a productive vocabulary-building activity when you capture new terms on the spot. Enable Spotlight mode to see your progress reflected on real web pages — it is a motivating reminder of how much you have already learned. Over time, your collections grow naturally with words you have encountered in real contexts, which makes them more meaningful and easier to remember during training.