unwritten
Americanadjective
-
not actually formulated or expressed; customary; traditional.
- Synonyms:
- inferred, tacit, understood, implicit
-
not written; not put in writing or print; oral.
an unwritten agreement.
-
containing no writing; blank.
adjective
-
not printed or in writing
-
effective only through custom; traditional
-
without writing upon it
Etymology
Origin of unwritten
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English unwriten; see un- 1, written
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The problem with unwritten rules, of course, is that some people have already been taught them.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
While queuing is often not compulsory, it is often an "unwritten and unspoken" social contract, according to an expert in moral philosophy.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
Daniel Mummolo, with the Department of Justice, pushed back during a hearing on the motion Thursday, telling Frimpong that that policy “does not exist either in written or unwritten form.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
They are the unwritten rules that delineate who is trying to look the part, who wants to stand out and how everyone balances professionalism with self-expression.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
It may have been an accident of the unwritten roster, but she doubted it.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
