Word list

Using words intentionally and consistently is one way we help our users navigate through complexity. This guide contains approved words and how to use them.

If you can't find a word that suits your needs then reach out in the Slack channel #ux_writing.

Word or phrase	Definition	How to use
activate verb	a. Makes something work. b. Makes something that has been deactivated work again. The reverse is deactivate.	Specify what is being activated, e.g. "Activate policy".
add verb	Moving an existing object into a list, set, or system. Did you mean create? The reverse is remove.	Specify what is being added, e.g. "Add site". Specify what is being added to if this is not obvious, e.g. "Add widget to dashboard". Don't say: implement
back adverb	Navigates to the previous step in a flow. The reverse is next.	Use "Back". Specify what you are going back to if this is not obvious, e.g. "Back to overview".
cancel verb	Stops the current action.	Use "Cancel". Only specify what you are cancelling if this is not obvious.
clear verb	Removes a selection. Did you mean deactivate, delete, dismiss, or remove?	Example: "Clear"
close verb	Hides a component, object or data. The reverse is open or view.	Example: "Close network details"
copy verb	Creates an identical instance of the selected object.	Example: "Copy dashboard"
create verb	Generates an object that did not exist before. Did you mean add? The reverse is delete.	Example: "Create dashboard"
deactivate verb	Makes something stop working. An object still exists after being deactivated. Did you mean clear, delete, dismiss, or remove? The reverse is activate.	Example: "Deactivate policy"
delete verb	a. Destroys an object immediately. Once deleted, the object is unretrievable. b. Moves an object to a waiting state where it is deleted after a period of time. Once deleted, the object is unretrievable. Did you mean clear, deactivate, dismiss, or remove? The reverse is create.	Example: "Delete key metric"
dismiss verb	Marks an object as irrelevant and moves it to a dismissed state. Did you mean clear, deactivate, delete, or remove?	Example: "Dismiss occurrence"
download verb	Extracts an object or data from the Siteimprove product without changing the format. Did you mean export or share?	Example: "Download heat map"
edit verb	a. Allows an object or data to be changed immediately. b. Navigates to a page where the user can make changes to a single or multiple objects.	Example: "Edit funnel" Don't say: modify
export verb	Extracts an object or data from the Siteimprove product while changing its format. Did you mean download or share?	Example: "Export to PDF"
give feedback phrase	Allows the customer to give feedback on something, e.g. a feature.	Example: "Give feedback"
join verb	Allows the user to become part of a program or community. The reverse is leave.	Example: "Join the Firstimprovers program"
leave verb	Allows the user to no longer be part of a program or community. The reverse is join.	Example: "Leave the Firstimprovers program"
load verb	Reveals more objects in an already visible list or set of objects.	Example: "Load all filters"
mark verb	a. Allows the user to change the status of an object. b. Allows the user to move an object back to its previous state.	Example: "Mark as misspelling"
module noun	Thematic areas of the Siteimprove product, including: Digital Certainty Index Accessibility Quality Assurance SEO Audit / SEO Professional / SEO Enterprise Policy Content Analytics / Marketing Analytics Data Privacy Ads Performance	Example: "Accessibility module"
next adjective	Navigates to the next step in a flow. The reverse is back.	Example: "Next"
open verb	Opens a file, app or service outside of the Siteimprove product. Did you mean view? The reverse is close.	Example: "Open page in CMS"
remove verb	Moves an object out of a list, set, or system. Once removed, the object still exists. Did you mean clear, deactivate, delete, or dismiss? The reverse is add.	Example: "Remove focus issue"
resolved adjective	Issues we didn’t find on a customer’s site.	Example: "Resolved issues"
run verb	Starts an automated process.	Example: "Run site check"
schedule verb	Arranges for something to happen at a particular time.	Example: "Schedule report"
send verb	Transfers something to someone through a system, e.g. email.	Example: "Send report"
select verb	Allows the user to choose one or multiple objects.	Example: "Select a site"
set verb	Settles or decides on something.	Example: "Set site target"
share verb	Copies the URL of a page. Did you mean download or export?	Example: "Share page report"
sign in verb	Logs the user into a portal or platform. The reverse is sign out.	Example: "Sign in"
sign out verb	Logs the user out of a portal or platform. The reverse is sign in.	Example: "Sign out"
solution noun	A set of modules packaged together for commercial and branding purposes.	Example: "The Inclusivity solution"
undo verb	Cancels the effect of an action that was just performed.	Example: "Undo"
view verb	a. Reveals hidden objects or data. b. Navigates to a page in the Siteimprove product that reveals more objects or data. Did you mean open? The reverse is close.	Example: "View policy details"
correct / exact / right verb	Refers to data or settings that are accurate or required.	Use "correct" for errors (e.g., "Enter a correct email"). Use "exact" for precision. Don't say: accurate
more / other / different verb	Indicates additional options or a change in selection.	Use "More" for expanding lists. Use "Different" when offering an alternative path. Don't say: additional
manage verb	To view, edit, or organize a collection of items or settings.	Use for high-level control pages, e.g., "Manage sites." Don't say: administer
recommend verb	To suggest a choice based on best practices or data.	Use when guiding the user toward a preferred option, e.g., "Recommended for you." Don't say: advise
lets you verb	Describes a capability or benefit the user gains.	Use to explain features in a user-centric way, e.g., "This lets you sync your data." Don't say: allows you to / enables you to / gives you the ability to
help verb	Provides assistance or documentation.	Use for links to the knowledge base or tooltips, e.g., "Help with passwords." Don't say: assist
try verb	To test a feature or service without a full commitment.	Use for previews or sandboxes, e.g., "Try for free.", "Try again" Don't say: attempt
start verb	To begin a new process, session, or flow.	Use for the primary action button of a multi-step task. Don't say: begin / implement / initiate
cannot verb	Indicates a system limitation or a restricted action.	Use instead of "unable to" for a more direct, human tone. Don't say: can’t
follow / agree / accept verb	To give legal consent or subscribe to updates.	Use "Agree" or "Accept" for terms; "Follow" for social or notification streams. Don't say: comply with
work with verb	To interact with a specific tool, person, or integration.	Use to describe compatibility, e.g., "Works with Siteimprove Content Assistant." Don't say: collaborate
set up verb	To configure a feature or account for the first time.	Use as two words for the verb (Set up your profile) and one for the noun (Finish setup). Don't say: configure or establish
has / includes / uses verb	Lists components, features, or requirements.	Use "Includes" for bundled items; "Uses" for technical requirements. Don't say: contains
username and password verb	The standard credentials for logging in.	Always use lowercase unless they start a sentence. Avoid "ID" or "Code" unless specific. Don't say: credentials
make / create / provide verb	To generate something new that didn't exist before.	Use "Create" for objects (e.g., "Create project"). Use "Provide" for info (e.g., "Provide details"). Don't say: deliver
show / prove verb	To display information or verify an identity.	Use "Show" for UI toggles (e.g., "Show password"). Use "Verify" instead of "Prove" for security. Don't say: demonstrate / establish / indicate
decide / figure / find verb	To discover information or make a choice.	Use "Find" for search; "Choose" is often better than "Decide" for UI selections. Don't say: determine
do not verb	A direct instruction to avoid an action.	Use for warnings or critical constraints. Avoid contractions (don't) in high-risk warnings. Don't say: don’t
since, because verb	To provide a reason for a status or requirement.	Use "Because" to be more direct. "Since" can sometimes be confused with time. Don't say: due to the fact
like / for example verb	To introduce an illustration of a concept.	Avoid "e.g." as screen readers may mispronounce it. Use "For example" or "Like." Don't say: e.g.
make sure verb	To verify a condition is met before proceeding.	Use in instructions, e.g., "Make sure your Wi-Fi is on." Don't say: ensure
allow / give permission verb	To grant access to hardware or data.	Use "Allow" for system prompts Don't say: empower / permit
work on / concentrate on verb	To focus effort on a specific task or item.	Use to describe active states, e.g., "You are currently working on this draft." Don't say: focus
often verb	Indicates frequency or commonality.	Use to describe common user behavior or defaults. Don't say: frequently
affected / changed verb	To describe the impact of an action.	Use to warn users about side effects, e.g., "3 sites will be affected." Don't say: impacted
to [verb] verb	Indicates the purpose of an action.	Use to start labels for clarity, e.g., "To save, click here." (Though usually "Save" is enough). Don't say: in order to [verb], you must [verb]
enter verb	To type information into a field.	Use "Enter" for text/data input, e.g., "Enter your name." Don't say: input
important / significant verb	Highlights critical information.	Use sparingly. If everything is "important," nothing is. Don't say: key
continue verb	To move to the next step in a flow.	Use "Continue" as the standard button for multi-page forms. Don't say: proceed
about / for verb	Provides context or describes the target.	Use "About" for info pages; "For" to indicate specific users (e.g., "For Admins"). Don't say: regarding
future / later / upcoming verb	Refers to events or tasks scheduled for a later time.	Use "Upcoming" for events; "Later" for snoozing notifications. Don't say: subsequent
we verb	Represents the company or the app.	Use to make the voice feel more human and accountable, e.g., "We're fixing it." Don't say: the system
use verb	To employ a tool or feature.	Use instead of "utilize" to keep language simple and accessible. Don't say: utilize