How to add new entries to the Dictionary (so New Outlook ignores them!) in New Outlook (desktop app) on Windows 10...?

Question

How to add new entries to the Dictionary (so New Outlook ignores them!) in New Outlook (desktop app) on Windows 10...?

DJBlake-1561 20

This is driving me insane...!

Every time I use a word that New Outlook doesn't recognise - e.g. a place name - in an email, New Outlook underlines it with a squiggly red line and if I hover over the word it is highlighted in a pinkish colour! A pop-up appears saying 'Spelling correction - Open with left-click (Alt + Down Arrow)' but the only option is either incorrect suggestions or 'Ignore all' (A 'No Entry' symbol). There is no 'Add to Dictionary' option!!!

I found this article https://traccreations4e.com/custom-dictionary-new-outlook/ but it doesn't seem to work!

Is there a way to add words to New Outlook, or not? TIA

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5 answers

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Answer 1

TaoLi 110.9K Independent Advisor

Hello,

New Outlook does support this, but the option is hidden.

Left-click the red-underlined word, then select the three dots (…) in the correction pop-up and choose Add to dictionary. Do not only hover over or right-click the word.

Microsoft’s instructions are here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/add-or-edit-words-in-a-spell-check-dictionary

If Add to dictionary is still missing, update New Outlook from Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates, restart it, and test again at https://outlook.live.com/.

If it is missing in both places, the feature is not working correctly for your current account/build. Editing RoamingCustom.dic is not a reliable fix. Please report it through Help > Feedback in New Outlook. Until it is corrected, the reliable alternative is classic Outlook, which provides right-click > Add to Dictionary.

DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-07-30T14:11:07.13+00:00

Oddly, the word which is giving me a headache doesn't show the '...' (3 dots) option, but other 'errors' (not real) that New Outlook identifies do have it - any ideas?
Hornblower409 14,690 Reputation points

2026-07-31T08:16:51.1333333+00:00

@DJBlake-1561 said

Oddly, the word which is giving me a headache doesn't show the '...' (3 dots) option, but other 'errors' (not real) that New Outlook identifies do have it

Don't understand.

Are you running into Autocorrect? You type a word e.g. Greta and as soon as you hit the space bar it changes it to Great

Screen shot of the "headache" word being used in Outlook?
DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-07-31T09:36:34.3466667+00:00

Not AutoCorrect, just the red squiggly underline and in Editor it is under Spelling...

Here's an odd thing - the error doesn't appear in the Android app version of Outlook, only the Windows (desktop) version! I will try the desktop Web version later for comparison and send a screenshot from the desktop version when I can - currently on Android phone.
DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-07-31T16:46:22.1933333+00:00

Back on a desktop (laptop) now...

Attached are screenshots of the troublesome word (Rownhams - a suburb in the UK), the version details of New Outlook I am using on Windows 10 (in case it's useful?) & the pop-up menu, minus any way of adding to Dictionary. Extra image shows Editor identifying Spelling error, but no way to correct it! -

This gets even more curious... Google Chrome initially showed the same symptoms (Red squiggly underline) as New Outlook when I typed 'Rownhams' in this post. I right-clicked the word in Chrome, and in the pop-up menu chose 'Use Enhanced spell check' instead of 'Use basic spell check' and the red squiggly underline disappeared!!!

It appears that Chrome's spell check Settings also affect spelling in the desktop version of New Outlook. I restarted New Outlook (desktop version) &, hey presto, the error has disappeared when I type Rownhams into a new blank email message. Phew!!!
DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-07-31T17:11:48.5533333+00:00

I spoke too soon...

The first time I tried the word after changing Chrome's spell check settings, the red underline didn't appear, but after another restart of New Outlook (desktop) the issue persists...! Back to square one...
Hornblower409 14,690 Reputation points

2026-07-31T18:14:21.1+00:00

DJBlake-1561 said

[Chrome Spell Check interacts with New Outlook Spell Check]

I can't reproduce in either New Outlook for Windows or Outlook Web. Added Rownhams to my Chrome Dict. No change. Outlook still flags it as misspelled and offers corrections.
DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-07-31T18:52:45.0866667+00:00

That's exactly what I am seeing. Flags it as incorrect but none of the suggestions are correct either and no way to add it as a new word...!

What did you mean by "Added Rownhams to my Chrome Dict. No change." Where is Google Chrome Dictionary?
Hornblower409 14,690 Reputation points

2026-07-31T18:59:48.6066667+00:00

DJBlake-1561 said

What did you mean by "Added Rownhams to my Chrome Dict"

Chrome Settings -> Language -> Spell Check -> Customize spell check > Add a new word. [Add word]
DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-08-01T12:55:31.8033333+00:00

I guess the only logical conclusion we can make from this shenanigans is... Microsoft treats even its paying customers with utter contempt!!!
Guy P 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T11:19:01.3233333+00:00

No it doesn't - it only says 'synonyms'
Hornblower409 14,690 Reputation points

2026-09-10T13:42:35.79+00:00

@Guy P said

it only says 'synonyms'

Not sure which Answer or Comment you are replying to.

But regardless, if you are still having a problem like the one described in this thread, you might be better served by starting a new thread using the "Ask a question" button at the top of this page to create a new Question and include the details for your specific problem. This provides much higher visibility to your issue than commenting on an old post, which is only seen by people who are already following this question. (You can put the link for this page in your new Question for reference)

Answer 2

TaoLi 110.9K Independent Advisor

That is a useful clue. New Outlook is probably not treating that particular item as a normal spelling error. “Add to dictionary” is available only for spelling errors, not grammar, style or contextual suggestions.

Try typing the place name by itself in a blank email, without punctuation, hyphens or apostrophes. If the three dots then appear, add the individual word rather than the complete name or phrase.

Also open Editor and check which category contains it. If it appears under Grammar or Refinements, it cannot be added to the dictionary; select “Don’t check for this issue” instead.

Finally, check the proofing language under (…) > Editor > Editor Settings > Manage spellcheck languages, as using the wrong language can cause inconsistent suggestions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/mail/how-to-spell-check-before-sending-emails-in-outlook

DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-07-30T17:21:33.42+00:00

Thanks for continuing to troubleshoot this issue - it is becoming more and more curious...

Typing the word into a new blank email body still doesn't give me the 3 '...' dots!

Checking Editor, however, confirms it is considered a Spelling error.

I can't find Manage spellcheck languages - in a new email message window, under Options tab>Editor>Editor Settings, under the three 'slider' options 'Enable auto correct', 'Capitalise 'I' (English only)' and 'Enable auto capitalisation' (all ON), EN (English UK) is the only language...?

Answer 3

Hornblower409 14,690

@DJBlake-1561 said

the only option is either incorrect suggestions or 'Ignore all' ... There is no 'Add to Dictionary' option

As best as I can determine (see Comments) - A Custom Dictionary is only supported in New Outlook for Windows and Outlook Web if you are using a MS 365 Business/Education Account (not an outlook.com address). The option is not there for a Personal/Family Account (outlook.com address).

Using my MS 365 Business Standard account

User's image

Using my Personal account

User's image

@Teresa Cyrus mentions this in the article you referenced.
https://traccreations4e.com/custom-dictionary-new-outlook/

Note: Outlook.com (free version) does not support Classic or New Outlook dictionary files. It uses Microsoft Editor and browser-level spell check instead.

DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-07-31T09:13:22.03+00:00

We have a paid Family subscription to 365, although not a Business subscription as in your screenshot... is this a case of '2-tier' pricing?
Hornblower409 14,690 Reputation points

2026-07-31T16:06:55.1633333+00:00

@DJBlake-1561 said

We have a paid Family subscription to 365, although not a Business subscription

It's weird. Ask your favorite AI something like this:

I need an official Microsoft document that says "MS365 Family Plan does not support a Custom Dictionary in New Outlook"

And you'll get back something along the lines of:

No official Microsoft document explicitly states that the Microsoft 365 Family Plan lacks a custom dictionary in the New Outlook. Instead, documentation clarifies that roaming custom dictionaries and advanced Microsoft Editor features are designed for commercial or educational Exchange Online tenants, while personal accounts utilize a consumer infrastructure that does not support these features

And it's right. I can't find any official Microsoft documentation that states, in black-and-white, which MS 365 Plans get Custom Dicts and which don't. But experience indicates that it's Business/Education Plans only.

I have updated my Answer.
DJBlake-1561 20 Reputation points

2026-07-31T16:56:20.5333333+00:00

I NEVER trust anything AI...

I may be considered 'a dinosaur', but I live by the old acronym 'GIGO'... Garbage In Garbage Out - If you don't know what questions to ask, or how to ask them how can you believe what you are told?

Answer 4

Thank you — this rules out a language-setting problem. English (UK) being the only listed language is fine, and this is not a “Business versus Family” feature: adding spelling words is not restricted to business subscriptions.

Because other misspelled words show the three dots, but this particular word does not—even in a blank message and under Spelling—this appears to be a Microsoft Editor bug involving that specific word, rather than an Outlook setting.

Please test the same word at https://outlook.live.com/. If the three dots are also missing there, it is likely an account/service-side Editor issue. If they appear on the web, repair New Outlook through Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Outlook (new) > Advanced options > Repair.

As a workaround, type the exact word in Microsoft Word while signed into the same Microsoft account, right-click it and select Add to Dictionary, then restart New Outlook. Microsoft states that words added to a custom dictionary can be used by other Office programs: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/add-or-edit-words-in-a-spell-check-dictionary

If it still remains underlined, please report it through New Outlook > Help > Feedback, including the exact word, a screenshot and the Outlook version. The fact that Android Outlook does not flag it makes a Windows Editor issue more likely.

Hornblower409 14,690 Reputation points

2026-07-31T18:38:51.9933333+00:00

@TaoLi said

adding spelling words is not restricted to business subscriptions.

That is not what I and other users are seeing. Have you tested with a Personal outlook.com account?

Answer 5

Microsoft added “Personal dictionary” to New Outlook’s Editor settings, but Microsoft’s own release notes say these features are rolled out gradually. This explains why some accounts/builds have the option while others do not: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/release-notes-outlook-new

Since your New Outlook identifies “Rownhams” as a spelling error but provides neither “Add to dictionary” nor “Personal dictionary”, there is unfortunately no reliable setting you can change locally.

The simplest workaround is to use classic Outlook and add the word there, or ignore the underline until Microsoft enables/fixes Personal Dictionary for your New Outlook account.

Microsoft’s dictionary instructions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/add-or-edit-words-in-a-spell-check-dictionary

I would also send this through Help > Feedback in New Outlook, because your screenshots clearly demonstrate the missing feature.