Quick fix for an accidentally accepted spelling
On Word for Windows, choose File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries, select the dictionary where the word was added, then Edit Word List > Delete. On Word for Mac, open Word > Preferences or Settings > Spelling & Grammar > Dictionaries (labels vary by release) and edit the custom dictionary. A word added to a different dictionary may not appear in CUSTOM.dic.
Accidentally added a misspelled word to Microsoft Word’s custom dictionary? You can remove it through Word’s proofing settings so the spelling checker flags it again. The steps vary slightly between Windows and Mac. This guide explains how to find and edit your custom dictionary safely.
Steps to Delete Words from Dictionary
Step 1: Open the Word Options Menu
- Launch Microsoft Word and open any document (or a blank one).
- In Word 2010 and later, go to File menu in the upper left corner. In the dropdown, select Options. In Word 2007 click the Office button and then click Word Options.
- This opens the Word Options window, where you can customize Word’s features.
Step 2: Access the Proofing Options
- In the Word Options window, select Proofing from the left sidebar.
- Under the Proofing section, look for When correcting spelling in Microsoft Office programs, then click Custom Dictionaries.
Step 3: Open and Edit the Custom Dictionary
- In the Custom Dictionaries dialog box, you’ll see a list of dictionaries. The dictionary in use will be selected by default.
- CUSTOM.dic is usually the default dictionary where manually added words are stored.
- Select CUSTOM.dic (or any other dictionary you want to edit) and click Edit Word List…
Step 4: Remove Words from the Dictionary
- In the Edit Word List dialog box, you’ll see a list of all the words in your custom dictionary.
- Scroll through to find the word you want to delete. Click on it, then click the Delete button. Repeat for any other words you wish to remove.
- Once finished, click OK to save your changes and close all dialog boxes.
Video Tutorial on How to Delete word from dictionary in Ms Word
Advanced alternative: edit the actual custom dictionary file
Only use file editing if Word’s Custom Dictionaries dialog cannot remove the entry. DEFAULT.dic is not necessarily the dictionary Word uses. First open Word > File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries and inspect the selected dictionary’s actual file location. Back it up, close all Office applications, then edit that specific file. The folder and filename depend on language, Windows account, Office version and sync settings.
- Locate the active custom dictionary through Word’s Custom Dictionaries settings. Do not assume that a hard-coded %AppData% spelling folder is correct for your installation.
- Make a backup copy of the selected .dic file, then open that exact file with a plain-text editor if its encoding is supported. Some dictionaries are synchronized or stored in other locations.
- Locate and delete the unwanted word(s), save, and close the file.
Editing a file directly can fail if Word is open, if the file is read-only, or if a synced copy later overwrites the change. Prefer Edit Word List when available. Be cautious while editing to avoid removing essential entries by mistake.
Tips for Managing Your Custom Dictionary
- Avoiding Errors: Only add words you know you’ll need repeatedly and delete any terms you add by mistake.
- Adding Common Technical Terms: For specialized terms, consider creating a separate dictionary file to keep technical jargon organized and easy to manage.
FAQs
Can I edit the dictionary in Word across all Office applications?
Yes, changes made to the custom dictionary in Word will also be applied across other Microsoft Office applications, like Excel and PowerPoint, as they all share the same dictionary file (CUSTOM.dic or RoamingCustom.dic by default). Editing it in one program updates it for all others.
What happens if I delete a dictionary file, like CUSTOM.dic?
If you delete the custom dictionary file entirely, Word will create a new empty CUSTOM.dic file the next time you add a word to the dictionary. However, all previous custom words will be lost. It’s best to edit rather than delete the file if you only need to remove specific words (The Geek Page).
Why is the ‘Add to Dictionary’ option greyed out?
This often happens if the custom dictionary is not set as the default. To fix it, go to File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries, and ensure CUSTOM.dic is selected and set as the default. Additionally, check that the dictionary language matches your document’s language.
How do I add words to multiple dictionaries in Word?
Word allows you to create and manage multiple custom dictionaries. In the Custom Dictionaries window, you can add new dictionaries, choose which dictionary to edit, or set a default for each document. This helps if you need different dictionaries for various languages or projects.
Can I create a custom dictionary for specific projects only?
Yes, you can create project-specific dictionaries. In Custom Dictionaries, click New, name your new dictionary, and select it whenever you need it for specific projects. This is helpful for creating dictionaries with technical terms, brand names, or project-specific jargon (Office Tool Tips, Erin Wright Writing).
Troubleshooting
Issue 1: I can’t find a word I added to the custom dictionary.
Solution: Words can sometimes be saved in a different dictionary if multiple dictionaries are enabled. Open the Custom Dictionaries dialog, select each dictionary, and use the Edit Word List button to review saved words. You may need to enable the default dictionary as the primary if words keep getting added elsewhere (Solve Your Tech).
Issue 2: Custom dictionary changes aren’t saving.
Solution: If changes aren’t saving, ensure that Word has permission to access the dictionary file. Close and reopen Word, then make the changes again. Also, verify that the DEFAULT.dic or CUSTOM.dic file isn’t marked as “read-only” in the file properties (dummies – Learning Made Easy, Erin Wright Writing).
Conclusion
Customizing your Microsoft Word dictionary can help streamline your editing experience. Deleting words, you no longer need or that were mistakenly added keeps your dictionary accurate, ensuring that Word catches all genuine typos and spelling mistakes. Follow these steps whenever you need to remove terms and enjoy a more efficient writing process!
Why is the word still not flagged as misspelled?
Confirm that the document’s proofing language is correct, that Check spelling as you type is enabled, and that the word is not in another enabled custom dictionary. Also check whether Do not check spelling or grammar is applied to the selected text. Restart Word after editing an external dictionary file. Do not delete the entire dictionary to remove a single word.
C P Gupta is a YouTuber and Blogger. He is expert in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. His YouTube channel @pickupbrain is very popular and has crossed 9.9 Million Views.