> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.wproofreader.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.wproofreader.com/v6.11.0/api-reference/user-custom-dictionary-api/actions/delete-word-s-deleteword-deletewords.md).

# Delete word(s) (deleteword, deletewords)

Remove one or more words from a dictionary.

### Parameters

These parameters work with any `cmd`.

| Name           | Type    | Required   | Description                                                                                                                                                                        |
| -------------- | ------- | ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `serviceid`    | string  | Cloud only | Cloud API key. Required for Cloud requests. Not used on-premises.                                                                                                                  |
| `format`       | string  | No         | Response format. Values: `json` (default), `xml`.                                                                                                                                  |
| `callback`     | string  | No         | JSONP wrapper function name. Use only with `format=json`.                                                                                                                          |
| `short_answer` | boolean | No         | <p>JSON only. When <code>true</code>, shortens JSON keys to reduce payload size.<br>See <a href="/pages/VXTsQ0sY5BFRLUsqxnbL#boolean-parameter-values">boolean parameters</a>.</p> |

See [Overview](/v6.11.0/api-reference/overview.md#common-parameters) for details.

#### Command specific parameters

| Parameter  | Type   | Required | Default           | Notes                                                        |
| ---------- | ------ | -------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `cmd`      | string | Yes      | `user_dictionary` | Command name.                                                |
| `action`   | string | Yes      | `deletewords`     | Use `deleteword` or `deletewords`.                           |
| `name`     | string | Yes      |                   | Dictionary name.                                             |
| `word`     | string | Yes\*    |                   | Single word to delete.                                       |
| `wordlist` | string | Yes\*    |                   | Comma-separated list of words. Takes precedence over `word`. |

\* Provide `word` or `wordlist`.

### Behavior

* Deletes the requested word(s).

#### `wordlist` precedence

If `wordlist` is present and not empty, it overrides `word`.

{% hint style="warning" %}
`word` / `wordlist` must not be empty.

Empty values fail at validation time.
{% endhint %}

### Response

Returns the deleted words in `wordlist`.

See [Response format](/v6.11.0/api-reference/user-custom-dictionary-api/response-format.md).

### Errors

Common errors:

* Dictionary name is missing, invalid, or longer than 50 characters.
* No word was provided, or `wordlist` is empty.
* Word was not found in the dictionary.
* A word contains forbidden symbols.
* A word is longer than 63 characters.

See [Errors reference](/v6.11.0/api-reference/user-custom-dictionary-api/errors-reference.md).

### Examples

<details>

<summary>Delete a single word</summary>

**Request body (JSON):**

```json
{
  "cmd": "user_dictionary",
  "action": "deletewords",
  "name": "my_dict",
  "word": "DevOps"
}
```

**Response (JSON):**

```json
{
  "name": "my_dict",
  "action": "deleteword",
  "wordlist": ["DevOps"],
  "modificationTime": 1772124069
}
```

</details>

<details>

<summary>Delete multiple words</summary>

**Request body (JSON):**

```json
{
  "cmd": "user_dictionary",
  "action": "deletewords",
  "name": "my_dict",
  "wordlist": "API,SDK"
}
```

**Response (JSON):**

```json
{
  "name": "my_dict",
  "action": "deleteword",
  "wordlist": ["API", "SDK"],
  "modificationTime": 1772124069
}
```

</details>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.wproofreader.com/v6.11.0/api-reference/user-custom-dictionary-api/actions/delete-word-s-deleteword-deletewords.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.