[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "how%20do%20I%20use%20wild%20cards%20in%20wordweb%20pro"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are instructions for **using wildcards in WordWeb Pro**, along with tips and examples to help you make the most of its \u201cFind Word\u201d pattern-matching features.\n\n---\n\n## What Wildcards WordWeb Pro Supports\n\nWordWeb Pro includes a **wildcard-enabled \u201cFind Word\u201d** search, allowing you to match words or phrases by pattern rather than just exact text. You can use:\n\n- `*` to stand for **any number of letters** (including zero)  \n- `?` to stand for **exactly one unknown letter**  \n([wordweb.info](https://wordweb.info/more.html?utm_source=openai))\n\nAlso available are more advanced pattern searches such as:\n\n- vowel/consonant placeholders  \n- punctuation-sensitive searches  \n- grouping of letters or generic groups  \n([wordweb.info](https://wordweb.info/more.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## How to Use Wildcards in WordWeb Pro (\u201cFind Word\u201d Window)\n\n1. **Open WordWeb Pro** (Windows or Mac).\n2. Go to the **Find Word** feature. (Often by selecting a tab labeled \u201cFind Word\u201d or pattern search)  \n   ([wordweb.info](https://wordweb.info/more.html?utm_source=openai))\n3. In the \u201cFind Word\u201d search box, type your pattern using `*` and `?`:\n   - `*` = zero or more letters  \n   - `?` = exactly one letter  \n   ([wordweb.info](https://wordweb.info/more.html?utm_source=openai))\n4. (Optional) If supported, use additional pattern options like vowel/consonant symbols or punctuation sensitivity  \n   ([wordwebsoftware.com](https://www.wordwebsoftware.com/mac/WordWeb.html?utm_source=openai))\n5. Execute the search. WordWeb will return words (in its wordlists/dictionaries) that match your pattern.\n\n---\n\n## Typical Examples\n\n| Pattern | What It Matches |\n|--------|------------------|\n| `cat*` | Words starting with **\"cat\"** (e.g. cat, catalog, category) |\n| `*ing` | Words ending in **\u201cing\u201d** (e.g. doing, running) |\n| `b?ll` | Four-letter words starting with b, ending with ll (ball, bell, bill, boll) |\n| `*word*` | Words containing **\u201cword\u201d** anywhere in them (swordfish, crossword) |\n| `c?t*ng` | Words starting with \u201cc\u201d, then any one letter, then \u201ct\u201d, ending with \u201cng\u201d (cutting) |\n\n---\n\n## Tips & Limitations\n\n- The wildcard pattern search works over **word lists** in WordWeb Pro, not in documents. It helps finding words (headwords, compounds, etc.) matching patterns; it doesn\u2019t search full-text documents unless using the full-text definition search feature.  \n  ([wordweb.info](https://wordweb.info/more.html?utm_source=openai))\n- Starting with wildcard:\n\n  - Patterns like `*xyz` (wildcard at start) are supported to find words ending in \u201cxyz\u201d.  \n    ([wordwebsoftware.com](https://www.wordwebsoftware.com/mac/WordWeb.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n- Be specific enough to narrow results; too general wildcard patterns may match many entries and be less useful.\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me your platform (Windows or Mac) and what kind of pattern you're trying (e.g. ending words, missing letters, etc.), I can give you a customized example."
    }
]