diff --git a/kjvstudy_org/jinja_filters.py b/kjvstudy_org/jinja_filters.py
index f779963..4c62994 100644
--- a/kjvstudy_org/jinja_filters.py
+++ b/kjvstudy_org/jinja_filters.py
@@ -146,15 +146,17 @@ def link_verse_references_in_text(text):
     return re.sub(pattern, replace_reference, text)
 
 
-def inject_word_markers(text, word_studies, verse_num):
+def inject_word_markers(text, word_studies, verse_num, auto_expand=False):
     """Inject sidenote markers into verse text next to annotated words.
 
     Word studies are collapsed by default, showing only the word and Greek/Hebrew term.
     Clicking expands to show transliteration and full definition.
+    If auto_expand is True, show expanded by default.
     """
     if not word_studies:
         return text
 
+    expanded_class = ' expanded' if auto_expand else ''
     for idx, study in enumerate(word_studies, 1):
         word = study['word']
         # Link the original term to Strong's page if we have a Strong's number
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ def inject_word_markers(text, word_studies, verse_num):
         marker = (
             f'<label for="sn-{verse_num}-word-{idx}" class="margin-toggle sidenote-number"></label>'
             f'<input type="checkbox" id="sn-{verse_num}-word-{idx}" class="margin-toggle"/>'
-            f'<span class="sidenote word-study">'
+            f'<span class="sidenote word-study{expanded_class}">'
             f'<strong>{word}:</strong> {term_html}'
             f'<span class="word-study-details"> (<em>{study["translit"]}</em>). {study["note"]}</span>'
             f'</span>'
diff --git a/kjvstudy_org/routes/bible.py b/kjvstudy_org/routes/bible.py
index a3137b3..ef00d01 100644
--- a/kjvstudy_org/routes/bible.py
+++ b/kjvstudy_org/routes/bible.py
@@ -204,6 +204,8 @@ async def read_chapter(request: Request, book: str, chapter: int):
     cooldown_verses = 5  # Don't repeat same word within 5 verses
     last_xref_verse = 0  # Track last verse with cross-refs
     xref_cooldown = 2  # Collapse when within 2 verses
+    last_word_study_verse = 0  # Track last verse with word study
+    word_study_cooldown = 2  # Collapse when within 2 verses
     for verse in verses:
         commentary = generate_commentary(book, chapter, verse)
         # Filter out words shown recently (within cooldown period)
@@ -211,6 +213,13 @@ async def read_chapter(request: Request, book: str, chapter: int):
         # Add word study sidenotes
         word_studies = generate_word_study_sidenotes(verse.text, book, chapter, verse.verse, excluded_words)
         commentary['word_studies'] = word_studies
+        # Auto-expand word studies when there's room
+        if word_studies:
+            if verse.verse - last_word_study_verse < word_study_cooldown:
+                commentary['word_study_auto_expand'] = False
+            else:
+                commentary['word_study_auto_expand'] = True
+            last_word_study_verse = verse.verse
         # Track which words were shown
         for study in word_studies:
             recent_words[study['word'].lower()] = verse.verse
diff --git a/kjvstudy_org/templates/chapter.html b/kjvstudy_org/templates/chapter.html
index be3591b..8ee0f80 100644
--- a/kjvstudy_org/templates/chapter.html
+++ b/kjvstudy_org/templates/chapter.html
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ document.body.dataset.resourceReader = 'false';
 {% set commentary = commentaries[verse.verse] if commentaries and verse.verse in commentaries else none %}
 {% set has_commentary = commentary and (commentary.get('is_enhanced') or commentary.get('analysis')) %}
     <p id="verse-{{ verse.verse }}">
-        <a href="/book/{{ book }}/chapter/{{ chapter }}/verse/{{ verse.verse }}" class="verse-number-link{% if has_commentary %} has-commentary{% endif %}">{{ verse.verse }}</a> {{ verse.text | red_letter(book, chapter, verse.verse) | inject_word_markers(commentary.word_studies if commentary else [], verse.verse) | link_names | safe }}
+        <a href="/book/{{ book }}/chapter/{{ chapter }}/verse/{{ verse.verse }}" class="verse-number-link{% if has_commentary %} has-commentary{% endif %}">{{ verse.verse }}</a> {{ verse.text | red_letter(book, chapter, verse.verse) | inject_word_markers(commentary.word_studies if commentary else [], verse.verse, commentary.word_study_auto_expand if commentary else false) | link_names | safe }}
         {% if commentary %}
             {% if commentary.cross_reference_groups %}
                 {% set total_refs = commentary.cross_reference_groups | sum(attribute='refs', start=[]) | length %}