Teaching Flow Language-Specific Abbreviations and Acronyms

Last updated: April 30, 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 the way you want — in any language.

How to add a language-specific abbreviation

Note: Flow ships with a default "btw" → "by the way" entry. To use "BTW" as an abbreviation, edit or delete that existing entry first. On desktop, default entries are seeded once and won't return if deleted. On iOS, deleted defaults may be re-added the next time the app loads.

Mac and Windows

Follow these steps in the Flow Hub:

  1. Open the Hub and go to Personalization → Dictionary.

  2. Search for your acronym (e.g., "btw"). If an entry exists, click to edit it. 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.

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. Enterprise users can toggle Share with team to push the entry to the team dictionary.

iOS

Follow these steps in the Flow Keyboard app:

  1. Open Flow Keyboard and go to the Dictionary section.

  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.

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. Enterprise users can toggle Share with team to push the entry to the team dictionary.

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

Android

Follow these steps in the Flow app:

  1. Tap the menu button (☰) and select Dictionary.

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

  3. Enter the word you want Flow to recognize.

  4. Tap Add.

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

Important: Android currently supports adding vocabulary words only — it cannot create replacement rules (e.g., btw → BTW). To add a replacement rule, create it on desktop or iOS first. It will sync to Android the next time you open the Dictionary screen.

Tip: Swipe right on an entry to edit it, or swipe left to delete it (you'll be asked to confirm). 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 (desktop): Starred entries get higher priority during dictation regardless of recent usage. Starring is not yet available on iOS or Android.

  • 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.

Tip: On desktop, press Cmd+F (Mac) or Ctrl+F (Windows) to search your dictionary instantly.

Common issues

Editing a dictionary word on Android created a duplicate entry

This was caused by edits leaving the original entry behind alongside the new one. It was 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 and swipe left to delete any duplicates.

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 and reach your other devices within a few minutes.

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 automatically swaps the misspelling for your version after transcription. 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. On desktop and iOS, input stops silently at the limit. On Android, you'll see an error if the field is empty, exceeds the limit, or duplicates an existing entry — fix the issue and the dialog will save.

Can enterprise users share dictionary words with their team on Android?

Yes. Enterprise members see filter options at the top of the Dictionary screen to switch between All, Personal, and Shared with Team words.

Limitations and notes

  • Personal dictionaries are limited to 40 manually-added entries. Up to 200 dictionary words (including auto-learned words) are sent to the speech recognition engine per dictation — star your most critical terms to keep them active.

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

  • For bulk management, use Bulk Import (desktop only, available to paid and trial subscribers via Settings → Experimental) or Team Dictionary (requires enterprise membership on desktop and Android; requires enterprise membership plus a Team or Business plan on iOS).

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 several minutes.

  • 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.