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 the one-word blackbird (primary stress on “black”, and secondary stress on “bird”) from black bird (primary stress on both words). 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.

QUIZZES

IT’S A WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ BONANZA!

This windfall of words will make you rich with knowledge. Mine your memory on the words from July 27 to August 2!

Question 1 of 7

What does "scattergood" mean?

a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.

a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.

a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for word

at a word, in immediate response to an order or request; in an instant: At a word they came to take the situation in hand.

be as good as one's word, to hold to one's promises.

eat one's words, to retract one's statement, especially with humility: They predicted his failure, but he made them eat their words.

have a word, to talk briefly: Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.

have no words for, to be unable to describe: She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.

in a word, in summary; in short: In a word, there was no comparison.Also in one word.

in so many words, in unequivocal terms; explicitly: She told them in so many words to get out.

keep one's word, to fulfill one's promise: I said I'd meet the deadline, and I kept my word.

man of his word / woman of her word, a person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.

(upon) my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)

of few words, laconic; taciturn: a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.

of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy: a person of many words but of little wit.

put in a good word for, to speak favorably of; commend: He put in a good word for her with the boss.Also put in a word for.

take one at one's word, to take a statement to be literal and true.

take the words out of one's mouth, to say exactly what another person was about to say.

weigh one's words, to choose one's words carefully in speaking or writing: It was an important message, and he was weighing his words.

Origin of word

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch woord, German Wort, Old Norse orth, orð, Gothic waurd, waúrd, all from Germanic wurdam (unattested); akin to Latin verbum “word,” Greek rhḗtōr (dialect wrḗtōr ) “public speaker, orator, rhetorician,” Old Prussian wirds “word,” Lithuanian var̃das “name”

SYNONYMS FOR word

5 statement, declaration.

6 pledge.

7 message, report, account.

8 catchword, shibboleth.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR word ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM word

in·ter·word, adjectiveoutword, verb (used with object)well-worded, adjective

Words nearby word

Worcester china, Worcester sauce, Worcestershire, Worcestershire sauce, Worcs, word, word accent, wordage, word association, word association test, word-blind

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for word

This is acting in every sense of the word—bringing an unevolved animal to life and making it utterly believable.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But news of the classes is spread mainly by word of mouth, and participants bring along their friends and families.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread|IranWire|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Still other people have moved away from the word “diet” altogether.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Back in Iran, he once got word that the Iranians were going to raid a village where his men were stationed.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It had many—the word now, I notice, instead of variations, everyone endlessly says iterations—it had many iterations.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thus kept he his word to the Earth Mother, and gave her light, that she might see.
In the Time That Was|James Frederic Thorne
Infinite—this word is by no means the expression of a clear idea: it is merely the expression of an effort to attain one.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 1, July, 1863|Various
Any unnecessary work or any recreation which hinders us from hearing and profiting by God's Word is sinful.
An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism|Joseph Stump
Ah, she need have no fear; I would not trouble her with so much as a word.
Wanderers|Knut Hamsun
When Tippy, in her bathrobe and with a candle, came down the dark hall to fumble at the door and let me in, I didn't say a word.
Georgina's Service Stars|Annie Fellows Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for word (1 of 3)

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
Australian an 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!

archaic on 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

British Dictionary definitions for word (2 of 3)

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

British Dictionary definitions for word (3 of 3)

-word

n combining form

(preceded by the and an initial letter) a euphemistic way of referring to a word by its first letter because it is considered to be in some way unmentionable by the userthe C-word, meaning cancer

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

Idioms and Phrases with word

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

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