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  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

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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”

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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

"Beautiful - that's the word I would use to describe him," former City defender Joleon Lescott said of Foden on TNT Sports.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

By August 2020, Hartman had gotten word that Graham’s and Wilson’s committees would each support part of the company’s requests, internal company records show.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026

The word "LYON" had been spelled out on the ground with candles.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

For Cascione, the success of the tennis program at Mission College — a school with fewer than 10,000 students — boils down to one word: belief.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2026

She turns the word over and over, hoping she can find comfort in it somehow.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Indeed, Scott herself has launched her own YouTube show this season, One More Word WSL, which she presents on a Sunday night alongside ex-England internationals Anita Asante and Fara Williams.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Word quickly spread to employees not present at the meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Word spread quickly, and soon a throng of smartphone-wielding citizens had surrounded the immigration enforcement van, which couldn’t move because one enterprising, early-arriving activist had slid underneath it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Consumer spending rose in July at the slowest pace in seven months, suggesting the U.S. economy lost a little steam after the end of the 2026 Word Cup and start of the third quarter.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026

“Just repeat whatever she says? Word for word?”

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee

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

Earlier this month, Seoul's foreign minister Cho Hyun said Ukraine had sent a message that "included words of apology" over Zelensky's disclosure, but it fell short of "the level" Seoul had in mind.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

Young added: "I believe he said the words 'I'm coming to get you'."

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

In other words, that means the rally suddenly broadened to most of the sector from only a handful of consumer stocks, said analysts at SentimenTrader.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026

“But if you dooooon’t …” Folger repeats the words like a pitcher caressing a verbal curveball she’s about to throw.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

His first words to me, and they’re sadly true.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Broadly worded constitutional provisions can be regarded as delegating a degree of authority to apply those provisions to new situations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

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

Arizona laid out its objections in a sharply worded letter to the federal government last week.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

To catch up on our memories of the war, she carefully worded it.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

The wording of these disclaimers was all over the map.

From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2026

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

The wording of the request can make it sound less transactional if it is focused on the couple’s future together, Meier said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Challenged during a news conference over whether the wording "ordinarily" meant some migrants would not be accepted by France, Farage said it was "legalese".

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

She offered a change of wording, which strengthened the text, and later made several other contributions during the discussion.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

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Related Words

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

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