Wave can learn specialized terms, names, and jargon you use often — so your transcripts come out accurate every time.
Why Use Custom Vocabulary?
Wave's transcription engine handles everyday language well, but it can struggle with:
Product and brand names — "Kubernetes," "Figma," "Zapier"
People's names — "Dr. Nguyen," "Sundar Pichai"
Industry jargon — "LTV:CAC," "EBITDA," "HIPAA"
Acronyms and abbreviations — "OKR," "SaaS," "SERP"
Medical or legal terms — "acetaminophen," "habeas corpus"
Adding these words to your custom vocabulary helps Wave recognize them correctly in your recordings.
How to Add Words
Custom Vocabulary is available on mobile, web, and desktop. Your vocabulary syncs across all devices.
On Mobile (iOS & Android)
Go to Settings → Preferences → Custom Vocabulary
Type in a word or phrase
Tap Add
Remove any word by tapping the X next to it.
On Web (app.wave.co)
Go to app.wave.co and sign in
Click Settings in the navigation bar, then Vocabulary
Type a word or phrase and click Add
On Desktop (Mac & Windows)
Open Wave Desktop and click the gear icon to open Settings
Find the Custom Vocabulary section
Type a word or phrase and click Add
You can add as many words as you need on any platform.
Tips for Best Results
Spell it exactly how you want it to appear in transcripts
Add full names, not just first names — "Dr. Sarah Nguyen" works better than just "Nguyen"
Include common variations if needed — add both "K8s" and "Kubernetes"
Custom vocabulary applies to all future recordings — it won't retroactively fix old transcripts