word

[ wurd ]

/ wɜrd /

noun

a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Words are composed of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units susceptible of independent use or consist of two or three such units combined under certain linking conditions, as with the loss of primary accent that distinguishes blackbird from black bird. Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.

(used in combination with the first letter of an offensive or unmentionable word, the first letter being lowercase or uppercase, with or without a following hyphen): My mom married at 20, and she mentions the m-word every time I meet someone she thinks is eligible.See also f-word, n-word.

words,

speech or talk: to express one's emotion in words; Words mean little when action is called for.
the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.
contentious or angry speech; a quarrel: We had words and she walked out on me.

a short talk or conversation: Marston, I'd like a word with you.

an expression or utterance: a word of warning.

warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I'll be there.

news; tidings; information: We received word of his death.

a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.

an authoritative utterance, or command: His word was law.

Also called machine word. Computers. a string of bits, characters, or bytes treated as a single entity by a computer, particularly for numeric purposes.

(initial capital letter) Also called the Word, the Word of God.

the Scriptures; the Bible.
the Logos.
the message of the gospel of Christ.

a proverb or motto.

verb (used with object)

to express in words; select words to express; phrase: to word a contract with great care.

Origin of word

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch woord, German Wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd; akin to OPruss wirds, Latin verbum ‘word’, Lithuanian var̃das ‘name’

SYNONYMS FOR word

5. statement, declaration. 6. pledge. 7. message, report, account. 8. catchword, shibboleth.

Related formsin·ter·word, adjectiveout·word, verb (used with object)well-word·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for at a word

Word

/ (wɜːd) /

noun the Word

Christianity the 2nd person of the Trinity

Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelationOften called: the Word of God

Word Origin for Word

translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1

word

/ (wɜːd) /

noun

one of the units of speech or writing that native speakers of a language usually regard as the smallest isolable meaningful element of the language, although linguists would analyse these further into morphemesRelated adjective: lexical, verbal

an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussionto have a word with someone

an utterance or expression, esp a brief onea word of greeting

news or informationhe sent word that he would be late

a verbal signal for action; commandwhen I give the word, fire!

an undertaking or promiseI give you my word; he kept his word

an autocratic decree or utterance; orderhis word must be obeyed

a watchword or slogan, as of a political partythe word now is ``freedom''

computing a set of bits used to store, transmit, or operate upon an item of information in a computer, such as a program instruction

as good as one's word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do

at a word at once

by word of mouth orally rather than by written means

in a word briefly or in short

my word!

an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
Australianan exclamation of agreement

of one's word given to or noted for keeping one's promisesI am a man of my word

put in a word for or put in a good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend

take someone at his word or take someone at her word to assume that someone means, or will do, what he or she sayswhen he told her to go, she took him at his word and left

take someone's word for it to accept or believe what someone says

the last word

the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issue
the latest or most fashionable design, make, or modelthe last word in bikinis
the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc)the last word in luxury

the word the proper or most fitting expressioncold is not the word for it, it's freezing!

upon my word!

archaicon my honour
an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc

word for word

(of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense

word of honour a promise; oath

(modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of wordsa word list

verb

(tr) to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase

(tr often foll by up) Australian informal to inform or advise (a person)

Word Origin for word

Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for at a word

word

Old English word "speech, talk, utterance, word," from Proto-Germanic *wurdan (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian word, Dutch woord, Old High German, German wort, Old Norse orð, Gothic waurd), from PIE *were- "speak, say" (see verb).

The meaning "promise" was in Old English, as was the theological sense. In the plural, the meaning "verbal altercation" (as in to have words with someone) dates from mid-15c. Word processor first recorded 1973; word processing is from 1984; word wrap is from 1977. A word to the wise is from Latin phrase verbum sapienti satis est "a word to the wise is enough." Word of mouth is recorded from 1550s.

It is dangerous to leave written that which is badly written. A chance word, upon paper, may destroy the world. Watch carefully and erase, while the power is still yours, I say to myself, for all that is put down, once it escapes, may rot its way into a thousand minds, the corn become a black smut, and all libraries, of necessity, be burned to the ground as a consequence. [William Carlos Williams, "Paterson"]

Idioms and Phrases with at a word

at a word

In immediate response, at an instant. For example, At a word from the captain they lined up in order. [c. 1300]

word

In addition to the idioms beginning with word

word for word
word of honor
word of mouth, by
words fail me
words of one syllable, in
words stick in one's throat
words to that effect
word to the wise, a

also see:

actions speak louder than words
at a loss (for words)
at a word
break one's word
eat one's words
famous last words
fighting words
four-letter word
from the word go
get a word in edgewise
give the word
go back on (one's word)
good as one's word
hang on someone's words
have a word with
have words with
in brief (a word)
in other words
in so many words
keep one's word
last word
leave word
man of his word
mark my words
mince matters (words)
mum's the word
not breathe a word
not open one's mouth (utter a word)
of few words
picture is worth a thousand words
play on words
put in a good word
put into words
put words in someone's mouth
swallow one's words
take someone at his or her word
take the words out of someone's mouth
true to (one's word)
weasel word
weigh one's words

word

noun

verb (used with object)

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of word

Word

noun the Word

Word Origin for Word

word

noun

verb

Word Origin for word

word

at a word

word