word for word

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.

Other Word Forms

• word-for-word adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of word for word¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

Often, “Eddington” plays out so formally and predictably that it’s like watching someone write out the thing that’s making them anxious on paper, word for word.

From Salon

In the 15 years since, DeBlois has helmed its sequel, its three-quel and now this live-action version, which goes back to the beginning and repeats the same plot essentially word for word.

From Los Angeles Times

They point to the statement given by a different man which they say is "almost identical, word for word" to the statement given by Kanwaljit Singh.

From BBC

He echoed, almost word for word, a threat by Trump that “all hell is going to break out” if remaining hostages are not freed.

From Los Angeles Times

The real opera sets Pushkin’s play, which was written as a response to Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” word for word.

From Los Angeles Times