title: User Dictionary
description: Add custom words and preserve proper noun capitalization
category: Typing
difficulty: beginner
related_spec: ../specs/typing/user-dictionary-spec.md
User Dictionary
CleverKeys learns new words you add and preserves their original capitalization. Names, places, technical terms, and other custom words appear exactly as you entered them - both when typing and swiping.
Quick Summary
| What | Description |
|---|
| Purpose | Add custom words with preserved capitalization |
| Access | Automatic prompts or Settings > Activities > Dictionary Manager |
| Works with | Tap typing, swipe typing, and suggestions |
How It Works
When you type a word not in the dictionary:
- 1. CleverKeys prompts "Add 'Word' to dictionary?"
- 2. Tap to add the word with its exact capitalization
- 3. The word appears in predictions and swipe results
- 4. Capitalization is preserved automatically
Case Preservation Examples
| You Type | Stored As | Predicted As |
Boston | Boston | Boston |
iPhone | iPhone | iPhone |
McDONALD | McDONALD | McDONALD |
API | API | API |
This works for:
- • Proper nouns: City names, people's names
- • Brand names: iPhone, McDonald's, GitHub
- • Acronyms: API, URL, HTML
- • Technical terms: Your project-specific vocabulary
Adding Words
Method 1: Automatic Prompt
- 1. Type a new word and press space
- 2. If not autocorrected, a prompt appears
- 3. Tap "Add to dictionary" to save it
- 4. The word is saved with your capitalization
Method 2: Dictionary Manager
- 1. Open keyboard settings (gear icon)
- 2. Go to Activities > Dictionary Manager
- 3. Tap Custom tab
- 4. Use the add button to enter new words
Using Custom Words
Once added, custom words:
- • Appear in predictions when you start typing them
- • Show in swipe results when you swipe the pattern
- • Keep their capitalization in both tap and swipe modes
- • Won't be autocorrected to something else
Swipe Typing with Custom Words
When you swipe a pattern matching a custom word:
- 1. Neural network predicts possible words
- 2. Custom word case is applied from your dictionary
- 3. Word appears with correct capitalization
[!TIP]
Add names and technical terms before you need them frequently. This improves both accuracy and capitalization.
Managing Your Dictionary
View Custom Words
- 1. Settings > Activities > Dictionary Manager
- 2. Select Custom tab
- 3. Browse your added words
Delete a Custom Word
- 1. Find the word in Dictionary Manager
- 2. Tap the delete icon
- 3. Confirm deletion
Disable Without Deleting
- 1. Find the word in Dictionary Manager
- 2. Toggle it off (moves to Disabled tab)
- 3. Toggle back on later if needed
Settings
| Setting | Location | Description |
| Dictionary Manager | Settings > Activities | View and manage custom words |
| Personalized Learning | Word Prediction section | Adapt to your typing patterns |
How Capitalization Works
CleverKeys uses a priority system for capitalization:
- 1. User dictionary case - Your saved capitalization (highest priority)
- 2. Shift state - Sentence-start capitalization
- 3. I-words - Automatic "I", "I'm", "I'll" capitalization
- 4. Default - Lowercase from main dictionary
Example Flow
When you swipe "boston" after adding "Boston":
Neural network output: "boston" (lowercase)
↓
User dictionary check: Found "Boston"
↓
Apply saved case: "Boston"
↓
Check shift state: (if sentence start, stays "Boston")
↓
Final output: "Boston"
Tips and Tricks
- • Add proper nouns early: Prevents frustration with miscapitalization
- • Include variations: Add both "API" and "APIs" if you use both
- • Brand names matter: "GitHub" vs "Github" - add your preferred form
- • Export settings: Use Backup & Restore to preserve your dictionary
[!NOTE]
Words in the main dictionary cannot have their case changed. Custom words override the main dictionary for your entries.
Common Questions
Q: Why isn't my custom word appearing?
A: Check that:
- • The word is in the Custom tab of Dictionary Manager
- • It's not disabled
- • You're typing/swiping the correct pattern
Q: Can I change capitalization of an existing word?
A: Delete and re-add with new capitalization, or edit in Dictionary Manager.
Q: Does this work with swipe typing?
A: Yes! Swipe predictions apply your custom word capitalization.
Related Features
- • Autocorrect - Automatic spelling corrections
- • Swipe Typing - Neural word prediction
- • Special Characters - Accents and symbols