Word List
A
a11y
Abbreviation for accessibility (11 letters between the A and Y), reserved for internal use or where space is a consideration, otherwise please avoid or explain on first use.
acronyms
Uppercase with no periods, unless they are specifically part of a brand name or the result spells out a different word.
add-on
See “Firefox Add-ons”; note that “add-ons” is always hyphenated, never “addons”. See also extension and theme, and see the Add-ons Terminology wiki entry for when to use which term.
address bar
Use this instead of location bar, awesome bar, or URL bar.
AMO
Our internal name for addons.mozilla.org; do not use in any user-facing communications.
B
Beta
See Firefox Beta.
buttons
Use buttons only to indicate a user action that updates the current screen or transmits information to the application (e.g., “Submit,” “Update Preferences”); see also “links”.
C
capitalization
Unless there is an entry stating otherwise, please capitalize the following: brands and products (Mozilla, Firefox, Test Pilot, etc.); features (Firefox Screenshots, etc.); acronyms (URL, etc.). URLs (mozilla.org, firefox.com, etc.) are lowercase.
channels
Our term for the various builds of our products; please avoid in user-facing communications.
customers
Do not use: we refer to “users” or “people.”
D
data
Treat data as a singular entity: data “is” sent, this data “is” available; not data “are” sent, these data “are” available. In general, avoid using data as a term when you can use the more helpful term information, or when you can be more specific about types of data, like browsing history, IP address or timestamp.
Do Not Track
Capitalized when referring to the setting in privacy preferences.
double-click
Hyphenated in all forms and uses.
E
One word, lowercase, no hyphen.
extension
A type of browser add-on; see “Firefox Extensions.” See also theme, and see the Add-ons Terminology wiki entry for when to use which term.
F
features
Individual product features are capitalized unless there is an entry stating otherwise.
Fennec
The internal code name for our Firefox for Android product; should not be used in user-facing communications.
Final Release
Our internal name for the mainstream versions of Firefox; do not use in user-facing communications.
Firefox Accounts
“Accounts” is capitalized when it follows Firefox, lowercase when on its own; it can be singular or plural as needed and is always localized.
Firefox Add-ons
Add-ons is capitalized when it follows Firefox, lowercase when on its own, though the O is always lowercase; it can be singular or plural as needed and is always localized. See also the Add-ons Terminology wiki entry.
Firefox Beta
Firefox Beta on the first mention, Beta on subsequent mentions, always capitalized.
Firefox Beta for mobile
“Beta for mobile” is also acceptable, but never “mobile Beta;” mobile is always lowercase.
Firefox browser
Use this to differentiate from another particular Firefox product (Firefox for Android, Firefox iOS, etc.); browser is always lowercase.
Firefox Developer Edition
Firefox Developer Edition on the first mention, Developer Edition on subsequent mentions, both words always capitalized.
Firefox for Android
Use this in most cases when referring to the mobile browser (see also “Firefox browser”); Android is always capitalized; never “Firefox Android,” “Firefox on Android” or any other variation.
Firefox for iOS
Use this in most cases when referring to the mobile browser (see also “Firefox browser”); never “Firefox iOS,” “Firefox on iOS” or any other variation.
Firefox for desktop
Use this to differentiate from the mobile browsers (see also “Firefox browser”); desktop is always lowercase; never “desktop Firefox” or “Firefox desktop.”
Firefox Extensions
Extensions is capitalized when it follows Firefox, lowercase when on its own; it can be singular or plural as needed and is always localized. See also the Add-ons Terminology wiki entry.
Firefox for mobile
Mobile is always lowercase; never “mobile Firefox” or “Firefox mobile.”
Firefox Nightly
Firefox Nightly on the first mention, Nightly on subsequent mentions, always capitalized.
Firefox Themes
Themes is capitalized when it follows Firefox, lowercase when on its own; it can be singular or plural as needed and is always localized; formerly “Firefox Personas.” See also the Add-ons Terminology wiki entry.
free
This one is tricky as it means both “without cost” and “without restrictions” in English, though there are separate words for these concepts in many other languages; please be very clear when using or avoid.
fullscreen
One word, lowercase, when referring to the view mode of the browser; use “entire screen,” “whole screen” or similar formulation in other cases.
G
gestures
For Firefox for Android, use the preferred Android terms touch, swipe, drag, pinch in, pinch out; learn more in the Google-maintained Material Design Style Guide.
For Firefox for iOS, use the preferred Apple terms tap, swipe, drag, pinch. View more in the Apple Human Interface Guidelines.
H
http://
“http://” should never appear before an URL in communications unless you are using it to demonstrate a complete hyperlink; see also www.
I
i18n
Abbreviation for internationalization (18 letters between the I and N), reserved for internal use or where space is a consideration, otherwise please avoid or explain on first use.
internet
Lowercase, unless the word “internet” is used to begin a sentence.
J
Join Mozilla
Refers specifically to the fundraising campaign and should not be used in other contexts; both words are capitalized and “Join” should never become “Joins,” “Joining” or any other form of the word.
L
l10n
Abbreviation for localization (10 letters between the L and N), reserved for internal use or where space is a consideration, otherwise please avoid or explain on first use.
learn more
Use to indicate a link to another screen or webpage; see also “more.”
left-click
Hyphenated in all forms and uses.
links
Use hyperlinked system text to indicate links to another screen or webpage see also “buttons.”
long-pressing
Hyphenate (for clarity) when describing this emerging term for this mobile touch gestures.
M
malware
Malware, like software, is an uncountable noun, which means it does not take a plural form and cannot be associated with a number; you should never refer to “a malware” or “three malwares.”
mobile
Lowercase, even if it follows Firefox; see also “Firefox for mobile.”
mobile device
In general, use this instead of “phone” or “tablet” unless you are purposely differentiating between the two. Use “mobile phone” only to distinguish from a “tablet,” otherwise, use “mobile device” mobile tablet redundant, do not use.
more
Use to indicate an expanding text area; see also “learn more.”
Mozilla
Make sure Mozilla is well established early or prominently in any writing or communications (Tabzilla satisfies this requirement, for example): either as part of a product name (Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Webmaker, etc.) or on its own. Do not use any compound constructions (like Mozilla Firefox Marketplace); even though the Mozilla wordmark is lowercase. Mozilla should be capitalized in all other uses, unless as part of an URL (mozilla.org).
Mozilla Reps
Always two words, always capitalized.
Mozilla Space/Spaces
Official terms for a particular group of Mozilla offices around the world, which include open space for the community; current locations or those in the works include San Francisco, Toronto, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Auckland, Beijing, Paris, and Vancouver.
Mozilla Webmaker
Mozilla Webmaker on the first mention, Webmaker on subsequent mentions, always capitalized.
Mozillians
Refers to paid staff or volunteers of the Mozilla project; always uppercase unless part of an URL (mozillians.org).
MozSpace/MozSpaces
Informal terms for Mozilla Spaces reserved for internal use; do not use in any communications.
N
New Tab
Always capitalized.
New Window
Always capitalized.
non-profit
Though “nonprofit” is not incorrect, we prefer to use the hyphenated form.
numbers
Spell out as words from one to nine, use numerals 10 and up; spell out large numbers like thousand, million, etc. (see also “version numbers”).
O
open/open web
As the web is open by its very nature, there is no need to make the distinction; not a forbidden term, but avoid where possible; when specifically and intentionally referring to the Open Web movement, please capitalize.
options
Use “options” (instead of “settings”) for Firefox desktop on Windows, Firefox for Android and Firefox for iOS to conform with the platforms; see also, preferences.
P
people
Though we mostly refer to “users,” this is also acceptable, and either should be used instead of “customers.”
phone
See “mobile device.”
pop-up/pop up
Use pop-up for adjectives and nouns. Use pop up (space and no hyphen) for verbs.
possessives
Though you may run into cases where it’s impossible, please avoid using possessives with our brands or product names where you can; see also “plurals.”
plugin/plugins
Unless you’re talking about physically plugging something in, this should be one word, lowercase, when referring to things like Flash and QuickTime.
plurals
As with possessives, it is preferable not to pluralize our brands or product names; try to reword if you can.
preferences
Use preferences (instead of settings) for Firefox desktop on Mac to conform with the platform; see also, settings.
Private Browsing
Always capitalized.
Private Tab
Always capitalized.
Private Window
Always capitalized.
punctuation
R
release numbers
See “version numbers.”
ReMo
Our internal codename for Mozilla Reps; do not use in any user-facing communications.
right-click
Hyphenated in all forms and uses.
S
settings
Use “settings” (instead of “options” or “preferences”) for Firefox for mobile and Firefox Focus to conform with the platforms; see also, preferences.
Sign in
Use “sign in to Firefox” or “log in to Firefox” when you are instructing a user to enter site credentials. Do not use “sign into” or “log into”.
site
Site is an acceptable term to refer to a website; see also website.
SUMO
Our internal name for support.mozilla.org; do not use in any user-facing communications.
Start Page
Sync
Capitalized when talking about the feature in Firefox, lowercase when using it only as a descriptive term; avoid “Firefox Sync” where possible; variants are syncing, synced.
T
tablet
Use primarily to differentiate from a phone, otherwise use “mobile device” where possible.
theme
A type of browser add-on; see “Firefox Themes.” See also extension, and see the Add-ons Terminology wiki entry for when to use which term.
toolbar
Tracking Protection
Always capitalized. Do not make specific reference to advertising or ad-blocking when describing.
U
URL
All uppercase, no periods, but URLs themselves (mozilla.org, firefox.com, etc.) are lowercase.
users
Use this or “people” instead of “customers.”
V
version numbers
W
web
Lowercase on its own and as part of a compound construction (unless as noted). Capitalize if the word “web” begins a sentence.
webcam
One word, lowercase.
webcast
One word, lowercase.
WebExtensions
Used to describe the API an extension is built on; describes the technology, not an extension built on the technology; see also the WebExtensions wiki entry.
WebFWD
Please note the capitalization, unless dealing with a URL (webfwd.org).
webmaster
One word, lowercase.
Web Push
Capitalize when referring to the notification standard.
website
One word, lowercase; do not use “web site.”
www
Avoid using before URLs; modern browsers (and current users) will assume the www.