How to Stop Microsoft Word from Flagging the UK Word 'Outwith'
Question details
The user needs to prevent Microsoft Word from flagging the valid regional UK English word 'outwith' as a spelling, grammatical, or word-choice error.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Writing or editing technical documentation that utilizes UK English and regional terminology.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word flags 'outwith' as an error. Adding it to a personal custom dictionary acts as a temporary local fix, but does not prevent the word from being flagged when other users open the document.
Ensure your document's default proofing language is explicitly set to English (United Kingdom), as regional vocabulary is more heavily scrutinized under US English grammar settings.
Add the Word to Your Personal Custom Dictionary
You can add 'outwith' to your local custom dictionary so Word stops flagging it as an error on your specific device.
While this solution prevents the error from appearing while you edit the document, please note that anyone else opening the file without 'outwith' in their own dictionary will still see it flagged.
Find instances of the word 'outwith' in your document that have been underlined by the spelling or grammar checker.
Right-click the underlined word. From the context menu that appears, select 'Spelling' (or 'Grammar') and click 'Add to Dictionary'.
Submit Feedback to the Microsoft Dictionary Team
Since the local custom dictionary does not fix the issue for team members or clients, submitting feedback is the only way to get the word globally recognized.
Try WPS Writer for Accurate Multi-Language Document Editing
If you find Microsoft Word's default dictionary limitations frustrating, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free alternative that provides flexible proofing tools, customizable dictionaries, and seamless handling of global documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word flag valid regional words like 'outwith'?
Microsoft Word's built-in dictionaries and grammar checkers are optimized for broad usage. They sometimes lack specific regional dialects, localized words, or niche technical terms, causing them to be flagged as unknown words or poor word choices.
Can I share my custom Word dictionary with my team?
Yes. You can locate your 'custom.dic' file on your computer and share it with your colleagues. They must then manually add this file to their own Word dictionary settings by going to File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries > Add.
How do I change my document's proofing language to UK English?
Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon, click 'Language', and select 'Set Proofing Language'. Choose 'English (United Kingdom)' from the list, click 'Set As Default' if you want it applied to all future documents, and click OK.
