word for word

American  

adverb

1. in exactly the same words; verbatim.

2. one word at a time, without regard for the sense of the whole.

   She translated the book word for word.

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word for word Idioms  

1. Exactly as written or spoken, as in That was the forecast, word for word. Chaucer used this idiom in the late 1300s.

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Other Word Forms

• word-for-word
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of word for word

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

word for word

New York copied this law almost word for word from Oregon, where our challenge is now before the Ninth U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

He said the same thing almost word for word to an “Entertainment Tonight” correspondent who took the news completely — almost dismissively? — in stride.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026

It is why I chose to read it out, word for word, to the chancellor – scrutinising their promises on your behalf.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2025

That doesn’t mean your private chats about your colleague or spouse are going to show up word for word in someone else’s chat session a year or two from now.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025

Incidents of people running for their lives or being treated for shock were repeated nearly word for word in newspapers across the country.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow