word
♦♦♦ word /w'ɜːrd/ (words wording worded)
1 [N-COUNT]
A word is a single unit of language that can be represented in writing or speech. In English, a word has a space on either side of it when it is written.
The words stood out clearly on the page...
The word `ginseng' comes from the Chinese word `Shen-seng'.
...swear words...
2 [N-PLURAL] oft with poss
Someone's words are what they say or write.
I was devastated when her words came true...
The words of the young woman doctor echoed in his ears...
3 [N-PLURAL] usu the N
The words of a song consist of the text that is sung, in contrast to the music that is played.
Can you hear the words on the album?
= lyrics
4 [N-SING] a N
If you have a word with someone, you have a short conversation with them. (SPOKEN)
I think it's time you had a word with him...
James, could I have a quiet word?...
5 [N-COUNT] N of n
If you offer someone a word of something such as warning, advice, or praise, you warn, advise, or praise them.
A word of warning. Don't stick too precisely to what it says in the book...
6 [N-SING] a N, with brd-neg
If you say that someone does not hear, understand, or say a word, you are emphasizing that they hear, understand, or say nothing at all.
I can't understand a word she says...
Not a word was spoken.
7 [N-UNCOUNT] also the N
If there is word of something, people receive news or information about it.
There is no word from the authorities on the reported attack...
Word has been spreading fast of the incidents on the streets...
8 [N-SING] poss N
If you give your word, you make a sincere promise to someone.
...an adult who gave his word the boy would be supervised...
He simply cannot be trusted to keep his word.
9 [N-SING] the N
If someone gives the word to do something, they give an order to do it.
I want nothing said about this until I give the word.
10 [VERB] V n adv/prep
To word something in a particular way means to choose or use particular words to express it.
If I had written the letter, I might have worded it differently.
● -worded [COMB in ADJ]
...a strongly-worded statement.
...a carefully-worded speech.
11
see also wording, code word, play on words, play on words, printed word, spoken word, written word
12 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If you say that people consider something to be a dirty word, you mean that they disapprove of it.
So many people think feminism is a dirty word.
13 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
If you do something from the word go, you do it from the very beginning of a period of time or situation.
It's essential you make the right decisions from the word go.
14 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You can use in their words or in their own words to indicate that you are reporting what someone said using the exact words that they used.
Even the Assistant Secretary of State had to admit that previous policy did not, in his words, produce results.
15 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You use in a word to indicate that you are giving a summary of what you have just been saying, or are giving a reply, in as brief a way as possible.
`Shouldn't he be given the leading role?'--`In a word-No.'
= in short
16 [PHRASE]
If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision.
She does like to have the last word in any discussion...
The final word will still come from the Secretary of State.
17 [PHRASE] PHR n, usu v-link PHR
If you say that something is the last word in luxury, comfort, or some other quality, you are emphasizing that it has a great deal of this quality.
The spa is the last word in luxury and efficiency.
18 [PHRASE] usu with brd-neg, usu PHR after v, PHR with cl
If you say that someone has said something, but not in so many words, you mean that they said it or expressed it, but in a very indirect way.
`And has she agreed to go with you?'--`Not in so many words. But I read her thoughts'.
19 [PHRASE] oft by/through PHR
If news or information passes by word of mouth, people tell it to each other rather than it being printed in written form.
The story has been passed down by word of mouth.
20 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You say in other words in order to introduce a different, and usually simpler, explanation or interpretation of something that has just been said.
The mobile library services have been reorganised-in other words, they visit fewer places.
21 [PHRASE] PHR after v, PHR with cl
If you say something in your own words, you express it in your own way, without copying or repeating someone else's description.
Now tell us in your own words about the events of Saturday.
22 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say to someone `take my word for it', you mean that they should believe you because you are telling the truth.
You'll buy nothing but trouble if you buy that house, take my word for it.
23 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you repeat something word for word, you repeat it exactly as it was originally said or written.
I don't try to memorize speeches word for word.
= verbatim
24
not get a word in edgeways: see edgeways
not mince your words: see mince
the operative word: see operative
war of words: see warcode word (code words)
also codeword, code-word
[N-COUNT]
A code word is a word or phrase that has a special meaning, different from its normal meaning, for the people who have agreed to use it in this way.
...magnum, the code word for launching a radar attack.four-letter word (four-letter words)
[N-COUNT]
A four-letter word is a short word that people consider to be rude or offensive, usually because it refers to sex or other bodily functions.
= swear wordlink|ing word (linking words)
in BRIT, also use link word
[N-COUNT]
A linking word is a word which shows a connection between clauses or sentences. `However' and `so' are linking words.print|ed word
[N-SING] the N
The printed word is the same as the written word.spo|ken word
[N-SING] usu the N
The spoken word is used to refer to language expressed in speech, for example in contrast to written texts or music.
There is a potential educational benefit in allowing pictures to tell the story, rather than the spoken word.swear word (swear words)
also swearword
[N-COUNT]
A swear word is a word which is considered to be rude or offensive. Swear words are usually used when people are angry.word class (word classes)
[N-COUNT]
A word class is a group of words that have the same basic behaviour, for example nouns, adjectives, or verbs.word pro|cess|ing
also word-processing
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Word processing is the work or skill of producing printed documents using a computer. (COMPUTING)word pro|ces|sor (word processors)
[N-COUNT]
A word processor is a computer program or a computer which is used to produce printed documents. (COMPUTING)word wrap|ping
[N-UNCOUNT]
In computing, word wrapping is a process by which a word which comes at the end of a line is automatically moved onto a new line in order to keep the text within the margins. (COMPUTING)writ|ten word
[N-SING] usu the N
You use the written word to refer to language expressed in writing, especially when contrasted with speech or with other forms of expression such as painting or film.
Even in the 18th century scholars continued to give primacy to the written word.
1 [N-COUNT]
A word is a single unit of language that can be represented in writing or speech. In English, a word has a space on either side of it when it is written.
The words stood out clearly on the page...
The word `ginseng' comes from the Chinese word `Shen-seng'.
...swear words...
2 [N-PLURAL] oft with poss
Someone's words are what they say or write.
I was devastated when her words came true...
The words of the young woman doctor echoed in his ears...
3 [N-PLURAL] usu the N
The words of a song consist of the text that is sung, in contrast to the music that is played.
Can you hear the words on the album?
= lyrics
4 [N-SING] a N
If you have a word with someone, you have a short conversation with them. (SPOKEN)
I think it's time you had a word with him...
James, could I have a quiet word?...
5 [N-COUNT] N of n
If you offer someone a word of something such as warning, advice, or praise, you warn, advise, or praise them.
A word of warning. Don't stick too precisely to what it says in the book...
6 [N-SING] a N, with brd-neg
If you say that someone does not hear, understand, or say a word, you are emphasizing that they hear, understand, or say nothing at all.
I can't understand a word she says...
Not a word was spoken.
7 [N-UNCOUNT] also the N
If there is word of something, people receive news or information about it.
There is no word from the authorities on the reported attack...
Word has been spreading fast of the incidents on the streets...
8 [N-SING] poss N
If you give your word, you make a sincere promise to someone.
...an adult who gave his word the boy would be supervised...
He simply cannot be trusted to keep his word.
9 [N-SING] the N
If someone gives the word to do something, they give an order to do it.
I want nothing said about this until I give the word.
10 [VERB] V n adv/prep
To word something in a particular way means to choose or use particular words to express it.
If I had written the letter, I might have worded it differently.
● -worded [COMB in ADJ]
...a strongly-worded statement.
...a carefully-worded speech.
11
see also wording, code word, play on words, play on words, printed word, spoken word, written word
12 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If you say that people consider something to be a dirty word, you mean that they disapprove of it.
So many people think feminism is a dirty word.
13 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
If you do something from the word go, you do it from the very beginning of a period of time or situation.
It's essential you make the right decisions from the word go.
14 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You can use in their words or in their own words to indicate that you are reporting what someone said using the exact words that they used.
Even the Assistant Secretary of State had to admit that previous policy did not, in his words, produce results.
15 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You use in a word to indicate that you are giving a summary of what you have just been saying, or are giving a reply, in as brief a way as possible.
`Shouldn't he be given the leading role?'--`In a word-No.'
= in short
16 [PHRASE]
If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision.
She does like to have the last word in any discussion...
The final word will still come from the Secretary of State.
17 [PHRASE] PHR n, usu v-link PHR
If you say that something is the last word in luxury, comfort, or some other quality, you are emphasizing that it has a great deal of this quality.
The spa is the last word in luxury and efficiency.
18 [PHRASE] usu with brd-neg, usu PHR after v, PHR with cl
If you say that someone has said something, but not in so many words, you mean that they said it or expressed it, but in a very indirect way.
`And has she agreed to go with you?'--`Not in so many words. But I read her thoughts'.
19 [PHRASE] oft by/through PHR
If news or information passes by word of mouth, people tell it to each other rather than it being printed in written form.
The story has been passed down by word of mouth.
20 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
You say in other words in order to introduce a different, and usually simpler, explanation or interpretation of something that has just been said.
The mobile library services have been reorganised-in other words, they visit fewer places.
21 [PHRASE] PHR after v, PHR with cl
If you say something in your own words, you express it in your own way, without copying or repeating someone else's description.
Now tell us in your own words about the events of Saturday.
22 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say to someone `take my word for it', you mean that they should believe you because you are telling the truth.
You'll buy nothing but trouble if you buy that house, take my word for it.
23 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you repeat something word for word, you repeat it exactly as it was originally said or written.
I don't try to memorize speeches word for word.
= verbatim
24
not get a word in edgeways: see edgeways
not mince your words: see mince
the operative word: see operative
war of words: see warcode word (code words)
also codeword, code-word
[N-COUNT]
A code word is a word or phrase that has a special meaning, different from its normal meaning, for the people who have agreed to use it in this way.
...magnum, the code word for launching a radar attack.four-letter word (four-letter words)
[N-COUNT]
A four-letter word is a short word that people consider to be rude or offensive, usually because it refers to sex or other bodily functions.
= swear wordlink|ing word (linking words)
in BRIT, also use link word
[N-COUNT]
A linking word is a word which shows a connection between clauses or sentences. `However' and `so' are linking words.print|ed word
[N-SING] the N
The printed word is the same as the written word.spo|ken word
[N-SING] usu the N
The spoken word is used to refer to language expressed in speech, for example in contrast to written texts or music.
There is a potential educational benefit in allowing pictures to tell the story, rather than the spoken word.swear word (swear words)
also swearword
[N-COUNT]
A swear word is a word which is considered to be rude or offensive. Swear words are usually used when people are angry.word class (word classes)
[N-COUNT]
A word class is a group of words that have the same basic behaviour, for example nouns, adjectives, or verbs.word pro|cess|ing
also word-processing
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Word processing is the work or skill of producing printed documents using a computer. (COMPUTING)word pro|ces|sor (word processors)
[N-COUNT]
A word processor is a computer program or a computer which is used to produce printed documents. (COMPUTING)word wrap|ping
[N-UNCOUNT]
In computing, word wrapping is a process by which a word which comes at the end of a line is automatically moved onto a new line in order to keep the text within the margins. (COMPUTING)writ|ten word
[N-SING] usu the N
You use the written word to refer to language expressed in writing, especially when contrasted with speech or with other forms of expression such as painting or film.
Even in the 18th century scholars continued to give primacy to the written word.