Adding words to your iPhone dictionary

Your iPhone learns words as you type them. When you type a word that isn't in the built-in dictionary and your phone suggests a correction, you can tap the word itself (not the suggestion) to add it. The phone then remembers that word and stops suggesting corrections for it in the future.

This works across all apps where you type — Messages, Mail, Notes, and third-party apps. Once you add a word, it syncs to your other Apple devices if you use the same iCloud account, so the word appears in your dictionary on your iPad and Mac too.

You can also add words manually through Settings without typing them first, and you can remove words you've added by mistake. The process takes seconds either way.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap a word instead of the autocorrect suggestion to add it to your dictionary permanently.
  • Words you add sync across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac when you use the same iCloud account.
  • You can manually add words through Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement without typing them first.
  • Removing a word from your dictionary requires going to Settings and deleting it from your custom list.
  • Resetting your keyboard dictionary clears all words you've added and restores the original dictionary.

Adding a word by rejecting autocorrect

The fastest way to add a word is to refuse the autocorrect suggestion when you type it. Open any app where you can type — Messages, Mail, Notes, or a search box. Type the word you want to add, and when the autocorrect suggestion appears above the keyboard, tap the word you typed instead of the suggestion.

Your iPhone adds that word to your dictionary when ready. The next time you type the same word, your phone won't suggest a correction. This method works for names, slang, technical terms, or any word your phone doesn't recognize.

If you make a mistake and tap the wrong option, you can undo it by shaking your phone and selecting Undo, or by going to Settings and removing the word manually.

Adding words manually through Settings

You don't have to type a word first to add it to your dictionary. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Tap the plus sign in the top right corner. In the Phrase field, type the word you want to add. Leave the Shortcut field empty (or use it to create a shortcut that types the phrase for you). Tap Save.

This method is useful if you want to add words you use frequently but haven't typed yet, or if you want to set up shortcuts. For example, you could create a shortcut where typing "omw" automatically expands to "on my way".

The word appears in your dictionary when ready and works the same way as words you've added through autocorrect rejection.

Removing words from your dictionary

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Scroll through the list to find the word you want to remove. Swipe left on the word, then tap Delete. The word is removed from your dictionary, and your phone will suggest corrections for it again if you type it.

If you added a word by mistake and want to remove it quickly, you can also shake your phone when ready after typing it and select Undo before you move to another app.

Resetting your entire keyboard dictionary

If you want to clear all the words you've added and start fresh, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary. Tap Reset Dictionary. Your phone removes all custom words and shortcuts you've created, and the keyboard returns to its original state.

This doesn't affect your regular autocorrect settings or language preferences. After you reset, you can start adding words again using any of the methods above. Be aware that this action cannot be undone — once you reset, the words are gone.

How dictionary words sync across devices

When you add a word to your iPhone dictionary and you're signed into iCloud, that word syncs to your iPad and Mac automatically. This means you don't have to add the same word separately on each device.

Syncing happens in the background and usually takes a few minutes. If a word doesn't appear on your other device right away, make sure you're signed into the same iCloud account on both devices and that both are connected to the internet.

If you turn off iCloud sync for Keyboard, your words won't sync to other devices. You can check this in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Keyboard.

Words that won't stay in your dictionary

Some words disappear from your dictionary if you reset your iPhone, restore from a backup, or sign out of iCloud. If you've added important words and want to keep them, write them down or take a screenshot of your Text Replacement list before you perform a major reset.

Words also won't sync if you're not signed into iCloud or if iCloud Keyboard sync is turned off. Check your iCloud settings if words you added on one device don't appear on another.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a word that's already in the iPhone dictionary?

Yes. If you want your phone to accept a different spelling or capitalization of a word, you can add it as a custom entry. For example, you could add "iPhone" in all caps if you prefer that style, and your phone will use your version instead of suggesting its own.

What's the difference between adding a word and creating a shortcut?

Adding a word teaches your dictionary to accept it without correction. A shortcut is a quick way to type a longer phrase — for example, typing "sig" could expand to your full signature. You can use the Text Replacement feature to do both.

Do words I add show up in Siri's dictionary?

Siri uses your keyboard dictionary, so words you add do help Siri understand what you're saying. However, Siri's recognition depends on many factors, and adding a word to your dictionary doesn't may provide Siri will understand it perfectly.

Can I add words to a specific app's dictionary instead of the whole phone?

No. The iPhone dictionary is system-wide and applies to all apps. You can't create separate dictionaries for different apps, but you can remove a word from your dictionary if you only use it in one place.

What happens if I add a word that's a common misspelling?

Your phone will accept it and stop suggesting corrections. If you add "teh" thinking it's a word you use, your phone will no longer catch it as a misspelling of "the". You can remove it anytime through Settings.