wordsmith
Americannoun
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wordsmiths
plural
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an expert in the use of words.
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a person, as a journalist or novelist, whose vocation is writing.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of wordsmith
Explanation
A wordsmith is someone who expertly crafts beautiful sentences and uses language in ways that move and resonate with readers and listeners. A wordsmith excels in the art of playing with language to create beautifully written pieces. This term describes someone who can weave words into compelling stories, persuasive arguments, or powerful poetry, showcasing a deep understanding of how to use the perfect combination of words and phrases. Wordsmiths often have a profound impact on their readers, using their linguistic skills to evoke emotions, provoke thought, or simply entertain.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A talented wordsmith who writes his own books, and with a bestselling memoir penned before he considered running for office?
From Salon ● Jul. 29, 2026
She is a brilliant wordsmith, who had a transformative effect in literature by shifting the focus inward using indirect discourse to combine a character’s inner thoughts with the narrator’s voice.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025
Lorenz Hart was a great American wordsmith, and a great American catastrophe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025
Until recently considered a sign of carelessness or even stupidity, the error is now seen by some to be the indelible fingerprint of a human wordsmith.
From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2025
“Uh,” Bobby Gene said, ever the master wordsmith.
From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon
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But Major League Baseball today isn’t defined by crafty wordsmiths on the mound with their own styles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
“Every morning reading him was like going to journalism school. He was one of the best and smartest wordsmiths in this city’s history.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2024
One of the fiercest wordsmiths on the planet, Nicki Minaj burst on to the scene with 2010's Pink Friday, at a time when female MCs were missing from mainstream hip-hop.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2023
As wordsmiths, we wield the quill that can amplify these narratives and rouse readers to action.
From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2023
Accomplished wordsmiths identify a need while writing, or spot a problem in a sentence while revising, and when all goes well the suitable word or construction pops into mind.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.