Teaching Flow Language-Specific Abbreviations and Acronyms

Last updated: June 5, 2026

Available on: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Flow expanding "BTW" to "by the way" when you mean the Dutch abbreviation? This guide shows you how to use the Dictionary to override Flow's defaults so acronyms transcribe exactly how you want — in any language. Most setups take under two minutes.

Quick checks

  • Is there a default entry in the way? Flow seeds a few default dictionary entries (including "btw" → "by the way"). To reuse "BTW" as your own abbreviation, edit or delete the existing entry first.

  • Are you signed in? Dictionary changes only sync across devices when you're signed in to your Flow account.

  • Are you on the right platform to create the rule? Replacement rules (misspelling → correction) can only be authored on desktop or iOS. Android can sync and trigger them, but not create them.

How to add a language-specific abbreviation

Mac and Windows

In the Flow Hub:

  1. Open the Hub and select Dictionary from the sidebar.

  2. Search for your acronym (e.g., "btw"). If an entry exists, click it to edit. If not, click Add new.

  3. Enable the Correct a misspelling toggle.

  4. Enter what Flow currently transcribes in the Misspelling field (e.g., "btw" or "by the way").

  5. Enter your desired output in the Correct spelling field (e.g., "BTW").

  6. Click Add word, then click the star icon to give the entry higher priority during dictation.

  7. Dictate the acronym in a test message. If it appears as you specified, the entry is working.

Tip: Press Cmd+N (Mac) or Ctrl+N (Windows) to open the Add New Word dialog instantly, or Cmd+F / Ctrl+F to search your dictionary.

iOS

In the Flow Keyboard app:

  1. Open Flow Keyboard and go to Dictionary.

  2. Tap the floating action button at the bottom-right corner.

  3. Enable the Correct a misspelling toggle.

  4. Enter the misspelling and the correct spelling.

  5. Tap Save.

  6. Dictate the acronym in any app. If it appears correctly, you're done.

Note: The Correct a misspelling toggle only appears when adding a new word. When editing an existing entry, the misspelling and correction fields appear directly.

Tip: Long-press an entry for copy, edit, and delete options, or swipe left to delete it.

Android

In the Flow app:

  1. Open the Flow app and go to Dictionary.

  2. Tap the + button to open the Add Word dialog.

  3. Enter the word you want Flow to recognize.

  4. Tap Add.

  5. Dictate the acronym in any app. If it appears correctly, you're done.

Important: Android's dictionary supports vocabulary words only — there is no field for a misspelling-and-correction pair. To create a replacement rule (e.g., btw → BTW), add it on desktop or iOS. It will sync to Android and apply during dictation. When editing a synced replacement rule on Android, only the trigger word is visible and editable; the replacement value is preserved silently. To view or modify the replacement value, use desktop or iOS.

Tip: Swipe right on an entry to edit it, or swipe left to delete it. Edits replace the original entry — no duplicate is created.

Best practices

  • Match your pronunciation: If you say letters individually ("bee tee double-u"), enter that as the misspelling instead of "BTW."

  • Use precise capitalization: Enter "BTW" in the correct spelling field, not "btw" or "B.T.W."

  • Add variations: If you sometimes say "B T W" as separate letters and sometimes as a word, add an entry for each.

  • Skip periods: Use "BTW" rather than "B.T.W." unless your style guide requires them.

  • Star critical entries: On desktop, starred entries get higher priority during dictation regardless of recent usage. Starring is desktop-only — iOS sorts entries by modification date, and Android does not surface a star. Starred status is stored locally and does not sync, so star the entry on each desktop device where you need it.

  • Override team entries when needed: If a team dictionary entry doesn't work for you, add your own version to your personal dictionary — personal entries always take priority.

Common issues

Dictionary entries aren't being applied during dictation on desktop

In an earlier version, Flow could show a notification and continue working without your custom entries — your entries were preserved, just not applied. This is fixed in the latest version of Wispr Flow. To resolve:

  1. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version.

  2. Restart the app after updating.

  3. Dictate a short test phrase to confirm your dictionary entries are being applied again.

Editing a dictionary word on Android created a duplicate entry

This was caused by edits leaving the original entry behind alongside the new one. Fixed in version 1.8.5 — edits now replace the original. To clean up duplicates already in your dictionary:

  1. Update Wispr Flow to the latest version.

  2. Open the Dictionary screen, swipe left on each duplicate, and tap Delete to confirm.

FAQs

Why does Flow keep expanding my acronym even after I add it to the dictionary?

The misspelling field may not match how you actually pronounce the acronym — if you say it letter by letter ("bee tee double-u"), enter that phrasing instead of "BTW." Also confirm you deleted or edited any existing entry for that acronym, and on desktop, star the entry to raise its priority.

Can I use the same acronym differently in different languages?

Flow cannot automatically detect language context for ambiguous acronyms. If you need "BTW" in Dutch but "by the way" in English, add the Dutch "BTW" entry and spell out "by the way" fully when speaking English.

Do dictionary changes sync across my devices?

Yes, when signed in to your Flow account. Changes apply immediately on the current device, but sync to other devices is event-based:

  • Desktop: syncs at app start.

  • iOS: syncs when the app loads.

  • Android: syncs at sign-in and whenever the Dictionary screen is opened.

To see another device's changes, restart the app or open the Dictionary screen.

What's the difference between adding a word and correcting a misspelling?

Adding a vocabulary word helps Flow recognize it during dictation. Correcting a misspelling creates a replacement rule that swaps the misspelling for your version after transcription. Replacement rules are only created by entries you author with the Correct a misspelling toggle enabled. Words Flow auto-learns from your edits become vocabulary additions only — they don't generate replacement rules. For acronym corrections like btw → BTW, use misspelling correction.

Why am I seeing an error when trying to add a word?

Entries are limited to 60 characters on all platforms. Desktop stops typing at the cap. iOS shows an inline red error at save. Android lets you type past 60 characters but shows "Word is too long (max 60 characters)" when you save. Android also shows inline errors for empty fields, duplicates, or words that already exist as a snippet.

Can I add team dictionary entries from Android?

No — adding entries directly to the team dictionary from Android is not supported. Use desktop or iOS to add team entries. On Android, the team filter chips (All, Personal, Shared with team) appear only for users on a Business Monthly or Business Yearly plan with active or trialing status.

Limitations and notes

  • Personal dictionaries are limited to 40 manually-added entries. Star your most critical terms so they stay prioritized during dictation.

  • Each entry is limited to 60 characters on all platforms.

  • Bulk Import is desktop-only and can be enabled in Settings → Experimental. It is available to paid and trial subscribers.

  • Team Dictionary requires enterprise membership with an active, trialing, or past-due enterprise subscription. On desktop, enterprise members without an enterprise subscription can also access it if they have an active personal paid or trial subscription. iOS additionally requires a Team or Business plan with active or trialing status. On Android, team filter chips appear only for members on a Business Monthly or Business Yearly plan with active or trialing status.

Still stuck?

Reach out to support if:

  • Your dictionary entry still isn't applied after starring it and dictating a fresh test phrase.

  • Entries aren't syncing between your devices after restarting the app or reopening the Dictionary screen.

  • You see a notification that your dictionary couldn't be loaded and the issue persists after updating.

  • You see an error message that isn't covered above.

Include your platform, app version, and the exact entry (misspelling and correct spelling) you're trying to add. Most dictionary issues are resolved in one reply.