Custom Dictionary

Your Custom Dictionary teaches TalkWriter to recognize words it does not already know. Names, brand terms, technical jargon, and any unusual vocabulary can be added so your dictations come out right the first time.

Why Use a Custom Dictionary?

Speech recognition models are trained on general language. They handle everyday words well, but stumble on anything uncommon. Adding a word to your dictionary gives TalkWriter a recognition boost for that word, making it far more likely to transcribe it correctly.

Before & After Example

Scenario	Without Dictionary	With Dictionary
Your name "Reduanul"	"red you all"	"Reduanul"
Brand "TalkWriter"	"talk writer"	"TalkWriter"
Medical term "Omeprazole"	"oh me pra zol"	"Omeprazole"
Tech term "Kubernetes"	"Cooper net ease"	"Kubernetes"
Client "Bjornsson"	"be your son"	"Bjornsson"

Adding a New Word

1. Click the TalkWriter menu bar icon and select Settings
2. Navigate to the Dictionary tab on the left
3. Click the + Add Word button in the top-right corner
4. Type the word exactly as you want it transcribed (capitalization matters — TalkWriter is different from talkwriter)
5. (Optional) Add a pronunciation hint — write the word phonetically so TalkWriter knows how you say it (e.g., "red-oo-ah-nool" for "Reduanul")
6. Click Save

tip

If a word is consistently misheard, add both the correct spelling and the common misheard version as a pronunciation hint. This gives the engine multiple paths to the right output.

Editing a Word

1. Go to Settings > Dictionary
2. Find the word using the search bar or by scrolling
3. Click the pencil icon next to the word
4. Update the spelling or pronunciation hint
5. Click Save

Deleting a Word

1. Go to Settings > Dictionary
2. Locate the word you want to remove
3. Click the trash icon next to it
4. Confirm the deletion in the dialog that appears

warning

Deleting a word is immediate and cannot be undone. If you have a large dictionary you want to preserve, consider exporting a backup before making bulk deletions.

How It Works Behind the Scenes

When you dictate, TalkWriter checks your custom dictionary alongside its built-in vocabulary. Custom words receive a recognition boost, so the engine is far more likely to choose your intended word over a similar-sounding alternative. The more context you provide (via pronunciation hints), the better it performs.

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FAQ

How many words can I add? There is no hard limit. Users with thousands of entries report smooth performance. See Managing Large Dictionaries for tips.

Do dictionary words sync across my devices? Yes. Your dictionary syncs automatically when you are signed in. See Syncing for details.

Can I add multi-word phrases? Yes. You can add full phrases like "machine learning" or "New York City" as a single dictionary entry.

Do I need to restart the app after adding a word? No. New words take effect immediately on your next dictation.