Office for Mac Issues

How to Remove a Misspelled Word from Word for Mac Dictionary

Partner Editor Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a misspelled word that was accidentally added to the custom dictionary in Microsoft Word for Mac.

How to Remove a Misspelled Word from the Word for Mac Dictionary

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: Mac OS
Scenario: A user accidentally clicked 'Add to Dictionary' on a typographical error and needs to delete the entry so the spell checker will flag it properly again.
Observed behavior: The misspelled word is no longer marked as an error by the spell checker, and the custom dictionary file might not be immediately visible in the Word preferences.

Before you start

Ensure Microsoft Word for Mac is fully closed before editing the dictionary file directly in Finder, as leaving the application open might overwrite your manual changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Edit the Custom Dictionary via Word Preferences

This is the safest and most straightforward method to locate and edit your custom dictionary directly within the Microsoft Word interface.

Using the built-in preferences ensures that the dictionary file is parsed correctly by the application and immediately updates your spell check settings.

Open Spelling & Grammar Preferences

Launch Microsoft Word. On your top menu bar, click on 'Word' and select 'Preferences'. From the Preferences window, click on 'Spelling & Grammar'.

Access Dictionaries

In the Spelling & Grammar window, look for the 'Dictionaries' button and click it to view your active custom dictionaries.

Edit the File

Select the custom dictionary from the list and click 'Edit'. The dictionary will open as a document.

Delete the Entry

Find the misspelled word, delete it, and ensure you also remove the paragraph mark (return character) immediately after it. Save and close the file.

Edit the Custom Dictionary via Word Preferences

Solution 2

Edit the Custom Dictionary File via Finder

If the custom dictionary is not visible in Word preferences, you can locate and edit the plain-text dictionary file directly using your Mac's Finder.

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Try WPS Office for Seamless Word Processing on Mac

If you are experiencing persistent configuration issues or hidden file headaches in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly alternative for Mac users with robust spell check and dictionary features.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free Mac version and run the installer.
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3. Manage Spell Check Easily: Access straightforward spell check and dictionary tools from the 'Review' tab to keep your documents error-free.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find the Group Containers folder in my Mac Library?

The user Library folder is hidden by default in modern macOS versions. To access it, you must hold down the 'Option' key while clicking the 'Go' menu in Finder, which forces the 'Library' option to appear.

Can I completely reset my custom dictionary?

Yes. You can reset it by navigating to Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar, clicking Dictionaries, and then either deleting the contents of your current Custom Dictionary or creating a brand-new default dictionary.

Why does Word still ignore the misspelled word after I deleted it?

If Word still ignores the misspelling, you likely left a blank space or paragraph mark where the word used to be, or the application hasn't refreshed. Make sure to delete the return character immediately following the word in the dictionary file, then completely restart Microsoft Word.

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