unwritten

[uhn-rit-n]

adjective

1. not actually formulated or expressed; customary; traditional.

   Synonyms: inferred, tacit, understood, implicit

2. not written; not put in writing or print; oral.

   an unwritten agreement.

3. containing no writing; blank.

unwritten

/ ʌnˈrɪtən /

adjective

1. not printed or in writing

2. effective only through custom; traditional

3. without writing upon it

Word History and Origins

Origin of unwritten¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English unwriten; un- ¹, written

Example Sentences

Like Pre’s life, this book ends too soon—with unwritten chapters now filled by our own imagination.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Human rights groups believe there is an unwritten agreement among the four neighbouring countries to allow each other's security forces to pursue dissidents over the border.

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“Our team followed every written and unwritten rule, left no trace, and honored Yosemite’s accepted traditions.”

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Her university has an unwritten rule that students must sign an employment contract or provide proof of internship within one year of graduation; otherwise, they won't receive a diploma.

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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge arrives — and the rest is unwritten.

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Related Words

• accepted 
• tacit 
• verbal