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• word
  word

  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.
• Word
  Word

  noun

  Christianity the 2nd person of the Trinity
• -word
  -word

  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 user

word

American  

[wurd] / wɜrd /

noun

• words
  plural

1. 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.

2. (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.

3. words,

   1. speech or talk.

      Can you express your feelings in words?

      Words mean little when action is called for.

   2. the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.

   3. contentious or angry speech; a quarrel.

      We had words and she walked out on me.

4. a short talk or conversation.

   Marston, I'd like a word with you.

5. an expression or utterance.

   Before you do anything rash, let me give you a word of warning.

   Synonyms:

   declaration, statement

6. warrant, assurance, or promise.

   I give you my word I'll be there.

   Synonyms:

   pledge

7. news; tidings; information.

   We received word of his death.

   Synonyms:

   account, report, message

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

   Synonyms:

   shibboleth, catchword

9. an authoritative utterance, or command.

   His word was law.

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

11. Christianity. the Word,

    1. Also called the Word of God, God's Word. the Scriptures; the Bible.

    2. the Logos, identified with Christ.

    3. the message of the gospel of Christ.

12. a proverb or motto.

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verb (used with object)

• words,
  present (3rd person singular)
• worded,
  past participle,  past
• wording
  present participle

1. to express in words, or to select words to express; phrase.

   The way they’ve worded these instructions is confusing.

interjection

1. Slang. what you have just said is true.

   “Raising a kid is the hardest thing you’ll ever do.” “Word.”

idioms

1. have a word, to talk briefly.

   Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.

2. take someone at their word, to take someone's statement to be literal and true.

3. of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy.

   a person of many words but of little wit.

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

5. weigh one's words, to choose one's words carefully in speaking or writing.

   He paused to weigh his words before speaking.

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

7. in a word, in summary; in short: Also in one word.

   In a word, there was no comparison.

8. eat one's words, to retract one's statement, especially with humility.

   They predicted he'd fail, but he made them eat their words.

9. in so many words, clearly or bluntly and without hedging; explicitly.

   She told them in so many words to get out.

10. at a word, in immediate response to an order or request; in an instant.

    When I was ill, they came at a word and took the situation in hand.

11. of few words, not talkative; laconic or taciturn.

    a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.

12. have no words for, to be unable to describe.

    She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.

13. take the words (right) out of one's mouth, to say exactly what one was about to say.

    “It’s a long way, so we should leave early.” “You took the words right out of my mouth!”

14. keep one's word, to fulfill one's promise.

    I said I'd meet the deadline, and I kept my word.

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

16. put in a good word for, to speak favorably of; commend: Also put in a word for.

    He put in a good word for her with the boss.

word ¹ British  

/ wɜːd /

noun

1. 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 morphemes

2. an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussion

   to have a word with someone

3. an utterance or expression, esp a brief one

   a word of greeting

4. news or information

   he sent word that he would be late

5. a verbal signal for action; command

   when I give the word, fire!

6. an undertaking or promise

   I give you my word

   he kept his word

7. an autocratic decree or utterance; order

   his word must be obeyed

8. a watchword or slogan, as of a political party

   the word now is ``freedom''

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

10. doing what one has undertaken or promised to do

11. at once

12. orally rather than by written means

13. briefly or in short

14. 1. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc

    2. an exclamation of agreement

15. given to or noted for keeping one's promises

    I am a man of my word

16. to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend

17. to assume that someone means, or will do, what he or she says

    when he told her to go, she took him at his word and left

18. to accept or believe what someone says

19. 1. the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issue

    2. the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model

       the last word in bikinis

    3. the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc)

       the last word in luxury

20. the proper or most fitting expression

    cold is not the word for it, it's freezing!

21. 1. archaic on my honour

    2. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc

22. 1. (of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim

    2. translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense

23. a promise; oath

24. (modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of words

    a word list

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verb

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

2. informal to inform or advise (a person)

Word ² British  

/ wɜːd /

noun

1. Christianity the 2nd person of the Trinity

2. Often called: the Word of God. Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelation

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-word ³ British  

combining form

1. (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 user

   the C-word, meaning cancer

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word More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing word

• 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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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• outword
  verb (used with object)
• interword
  adjective
• well-worded
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• words
  plural

Participles

• wording
  present
• worded
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• word
  simple
• words
  simple
• have worded
  perfect
• has worded
  perfect
• am wording
  progressive
• are wording
  progressive
• is wording
  progressive
• have been wording
  perfect progressive
• has been wording
  perfect progressive

Past

• worded
  simple
• had worded
  perfect
• was wording
  progressive
• were wording
  progressive
• had been wording
  perfect progressive

Future

• will word
  simple
• will have worded
  perfect
• will be wording
  progressive
• will have been wording
  perfect progressive

Etymology

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”

Explanation

A word is a unit of language that native speakers can agree upon as a separate and distinct unit of meaning. Languages are made up of words. You must like words since you are here, on this word site. If you say "What's the good word?" you’re not actually asking for a word — you’re asking, "How are you?" or "What's doing?" But if you ask "What's the word on that restaurant?" you're asking for an opinion. You can also "give your word," but that means that you're promising something; you're giving an oath. If your friend asks what you think of his girlfriend, you may want to word your response carefully — to watch your words.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

word Word -word words worded wording

After the White Sox lost the series 5-3 to the Cincinnati Reds, the White Sox's suspicious owner Charles Comiskey sent word that the players needed to collect their pay cheques from him in person.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

There is even a word for it: “namjooning,” a play on the singer’s first name, Namjoon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

He has also called for US government documents to refer to the technology as "super intelligence," arguing that the word artificial "makes it sound fake."

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

Speculation has grown in part of southeast Iowa, near the Mississippi River, in recent days as word about a large project has spread.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

He lays the word exeter on the board.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

That’s according to Jefferies analyst Brent Thill, who recently wrote of the potential for Microsoft 365 Cloud, the software giant’s classic enterprise software suite that includes things like Word and Excel.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

Word of the senior departures spread across the industry Friday, creating worries that Fannie’s ability to provide stability to prices and activity could be hampered.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Word of the impending changes are raising anxiety for California advocates, providers and families who rely on the early education program and are concerned about future access to disadvantaged children.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

Word quickly spread around Poultney as locals started googling the new proprietor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Word must have been getting around about me, because people were starting to gather to watch me practice.

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman

While most other papers were carrying only sketchy Yalta stories, the Times set in type and printed the full text of the 200,000 -word Yalta Conference record, along with news stories, pictures and editorial comment.

From Time Magazine Archive

In other words, this matters whether you like football or not.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Very much like an election, in other words, only one populated with women who were scalpel-sculpted, lifted, tanned and tucked to surgical specifications.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026

In other words, rather than relying only on factors such as cholesterol, smoking and blood pressure to calculate someone's future cardiovascular risk, the researchers want to determine whether plaque is already present.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026

“Building refineries for export purposes only works in places that have incredibly low crude costs. In other words, the Middle East,” York said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

I stare into my lap, feel the weight of her words.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Their strongly worded statement tells you everything you need to know about how upset they are.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

She responded with a sweetly worded request for $60.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

“You can say anything you want on the trombone,” Ellington noted, “but you gotta be careful with words”—an aptly worded statement, ironically.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

Mendel Uminer, a translator, scholar and literary-journal publisher, did not have a Collyer situation when he received a sternly worded letter from his building’s management company.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026

From Merle Tuve at the Carnegie Institution came a sharply worded warning to his boyhood friend “Ernie” about his tendency to jump to unwarranted conclusions before all the facts were in.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Opponents say the proposition’s vague wording could result in vital services being excluded from the list of program expenses permitted in the 90% of revenues, prompting clinics to cut programs to avoid financial penalties.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

He says this would look at making future alert wording more specific, such as explaining the threat to life with a link to a webpage.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Licence argues that the wording of Alexander's letter closely reflects the political and religious language used against Honorius and his supporters during the conflict.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026

It cites sample scenarios where the insurer would often have paid out in the past, but could deny the claim under the new policy wording.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

Sometimes wording is maddeningly opaque without being composed of technical terminology from a private clique.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• account
• advice
• announcement
• comment
• expression
• information
• message
• news
• remark
• report
• rumor
• saying
• speech
• talk