How to Add a Word to the Dictionary on Android?

Typing on our smartphones and tablets has improved tremendously over the past few years. Google’s own keyboard is getting smarter and smarter, and third-party alternatives like SwiftKey and Swype are excellent. However, Android has a dictionary it tries to follow, and as a result some words or names are always corrected even if you don’t want them to.

If you’re like me, you have a few friends with crazy weird first or last names, not to mention we’ve all seen autocorrect errors all over the internet. Luckily on Android we can quickly and easily add words, names and of course the occasional swear word to our phone dictionary so it’s no longer trying to fix a word you really want to use. Below we’ll show you how easy it is to add a few words.

We’re using Android 4.4 KitKat here, but almost all 3rd party keyboards have a similar solution, plus Google’s own keyboard has an “Add to dictionary” button to make it extremely simple. So the next time you try to message your friend with an unusual name, autocomplete will display that name correctly instead of replacing the field with a completely wrong one.

Instructions:

Not all phones will have the same selection, it goes without saying that third-party keyboards make this different for some. However, most Samsung Galaxy devices, or anything running Android 4.3 or 4.4 KitKat, should have the option to add it to a pretty easy-to-find dictionary.

You will tap on settings (gear shaped icon) and go to phone settings then you will want to go to Language & Input or Language & Keyboard and then tap Personal dictionary or User dictionary depending on the phone.

From there, simply hit the + icon in the top right for stock Android or the plus or add button for most other phones and you’ll instantly be able to add a word, name or curse to your user. dictionary. Now, the next time you type, your phone will remember it and you will continue your messaging flow in full.

You’ll also notice that in the right-hand screenshot above it says “shortcut” for an optional shortcut. This is great for websites or email addresses. If I add Moyens I/O.com to my dictionary and set the shortcut to GM, typing GM instantly makes the dictionary suggest the website and I just typed two letters instead of the whole address. This is a great little secret trick.

Alternatively, you can tap the word while typing the picture with Google Keyboard, next word will be left or right if not the middle suggestion with prediction, tap it and Google will automatically give you the option to tap. This does the same as the steps above from the keyboard while typing, making it quick and even easier. See the screenshot below for an idea of ​​what to watch out for.

Many 3rd party keyboards available today will allow you to long press while typing a word and instantly save it to your user dictionary if the steps above differ from what you see on your own device. In general, the steps or location should be the same or extremely similar.

If these settings are not in the same place on a third-party keyboard, try going to settings > language and input > and go to the settings for that keyboard; you will most likely find the option to add a word to the dictionary.

That’s it, that’s how easy it is to add a word and continue typing with ease. Enjoy!