What Is the Definition of Word?
«The trouble with words,» said British dramatist Dennis Potter, «is that you never know whose mouths they’ve been in.».
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A word is a speech sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or a combination of morphemes.
The branch of linguistics that studies word structures is called morphology. The branch of linguistics that studies word meanings is called lexical semantics.
Etymology
From Old English, «word»
Examples and Observations
- «[A word is the] smallest unit of grammar that can stand alone as a complete utterance, separated by spaces in written language and potentially by pauses in speech.»
-David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press, 2003 - «A grammar . . . is divided into two major components, syntax and morphology. This division follows from the special status of the word as a basic linguistic unit, with syntax dealing with the combination of words to make sentences, and morphology with the form of words themselves.» -R. Huddleston and G. Pullum, The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press, 2002
- «We want words to do more than they can. We try to do with them what comes to very much like trying to mend a watch with a pickaxe or to paint a miniature with a mop; we expect them to help us to grip and dissect that which in ultimate essence is as ungrippable as shadow. Nevertheless there they are; we have got to live with them, and the wise course is to treat them as we do our neighbours, and make the best and not the worst of them.»
-Samuel Butler, The Note-Books of Samuel Butler, 1912 - Big Words
«A Czech study . . . looked at how using big words (a classic strategy for impressing others) affects perceived intelligence. Counter-intuitvely, grandiose vocabulary diminished participants’ impressions of authors’ cerebral capacity. Put another way: simpler writing seems smarter.»
-Julie Beck, «How to Look Smart.» The Atlantic, September 2014 - The Power of Words
«It is obvious that the fundamental means which man possesses of extending his orders of abstractions indefinitely is conditioned, and consists in general in symbolism and, in particular, in speech. Words, considered as symbols for humans, provide us with endlessly flexible conditional semantic stimuli, which are just as ‘real’ and effective for man as any other powerful stimulus. - Virginia Woolf on Words
«It is words that are to blame. They are the wildest, freest, most irresponsible, most un-teachable of all things. Of course, you can catch them and sort them and place them in alphabetical order in dictionaries. But words do not live in dictionaries; they live in the mind. If you want proof of this, consider how often in moments of emotion when we most need words we find none. Yet there is the dictionary; there at our disposal are some half-a-million words all in alphabetical order. But can we use them? No, because words do not live in dictionaries, they live in the mind. Look once more at the dictionary. There beyond a doubt lie plays more splendid than Antony and Cleopatra; poems lovelier than the ‘Ode to a Nightingale’; novels beside which Pride and Prejudice or David Copperfield are the crude bunglings of amateurs. It is only a question of finding the right words and putting them in the right order. But we cannot do it because they do not live in dictionaries; they live in the mind. And how do they live in the mind? Variously and strangely, much as human beings live, ranging hither and thither, falling in love, and mating together.»
-Virginia Woolf, «Craftsmanship.» The Death of the Moth and Other Essays, 1942 - Word Word
«Word Word [1983: coined by US writer Paul Dickson]. A non-technical, tongue-in-cheek term for a word repeated in contrastive statements and questions: ‘Are you talking about an American Indian or an Indian Indian?’; ‘It happens in Irish English as well as English English.'»
-Tom McArthur, The Oxford Companion to the English Language. Oxford University Press, 1992
Although
the borderline between various linguistic units is not always sharp
and clear, we shall try to define every new term on its first
appearance at once simply and unambiguously, if not always very
rigorously. The approximate definition of the term word
has already been given in the opening page of the book.
The
important point to remember about
definitions
is that they should indicate the most essential characteristic
features of the notion expressed by the term under discussion, the
features by which this notion is distinguished from other similar
notions. For instance, in defining the word one must distinguish it
from other linguistic units, such as the phoneme, the morpheme, or
the word-group. In contrast with a definition, a description
aims at enumerating all the essential features of a notion.
To
make things easier we shall begin by a preliminary description,
illustrating it with some examples.
The
word
may be described as the basic unit of language. Uniting meaning and
form, it is composed of one or more morphemes, each consisting of one
or more spoken sounds or their written representation. Morphemes as
we have already said are also meaningful units but they cannot be
used independently, they are always parts of words whereas words can
be used as a complete utterance (e. g. Listen!).
The
combinations of morphemes within words are subject to certain linking
conditions. When a derivational affix is added a new word is formed,
thus, listen
and
listener
are
different words. In fulfilling different grammatical functions words
may take functional affixes: listen
and
listened
are
different forms of the same word. Different forms of the same word
can be also built analytically with the help of auxiliaries. E.g.:
The
world should listen then as I am listening now (Shelley).
When
used in sentences together with other words they are syntactically
organised. Their freedom of entering into syntactic constructions is
limited by many factors, rules and constraints (e. g.: They
told me this story but
not *They
spoke me this story).
The
definition of every basic notion is a very hard task: the definition
of a word is one of the most difficult in linguistics because the
27
simplest
word has many different aspects. It has a sound form because it is a
certain arrangement of phonemes; it has its morphological structure,
being also a certain arrangement of morphemes; when used in actual
speech, it may occur in different word forms, different syntactic
functions and signal various meanings. Being the central element of
any language system, the word is a sort of focus for the problems of
phonology, lexicology, syntax, morphology and also for some other
sciences that have to deal with language and speech, such as
philosophy and psychology, and probably quite a few other branches of
knowledge. All attempts to characterise the word are necessarily
specific for each domain of science and are therefore considered
one-sided by the representatives of all the other domains and
criticised for incompleteness. The variants of definitions were so
numerous that some authors (A. Rossetti, D.N. Shmelev) collecting
them produced works of impressive scope and bulk.
A
few examples will suffice to show that any definition is conditioned
by the aims and interests of its author.
Thomas
Hobbes (1588-1679),
one
of the great English philosophers, revealed a materialistic approach
to the problem of nomination when he wrote that words are not mere
sounds but names of matter. Three centuries later the great Russian
physiologist I.P. Pavlov (1849-1936)
examined
the word in connection with his studies of the second signal system,
and defined it as a universal signal that can substitute any other
signal from the environment in evoking a response in a human
organism. One of the latest developments of science and engineering
is machine translation. It also deals with words and requires a
rigorous definition for them. It runs as follows: a word is a
sequence of graphemes which can occur between spaces, or the
representation of such a sequence on morphemic level.
Within
the scope of linguistics the word has been defined syntactically,
semantically, phonologically and by combining various approaches.
It
has been syntactically defined for instance as “the minimum
sentence” by H. Sweet and much later by L. Bloomfield as “a
minimum free form”. This last definition, although structural in
orientation, may be said to be, to a certain degree, equivalent to
Sweet’s, as practically it amounts to the same thing: free forms
are later defined as “forms which occur as sentences”.
E.
Sapir takes into consideration the syntactic and semantic aspects
when he calls the word “one of the smallest completely satisfying
bits of isolated ‘meaning’, into which the sentence resolves
itself”. Sapir also points out one more, very important
characteristic of the word, its indivisibility:
“It cannot be cut into without a disturbance of meaning, one or two
other or both of the several parts remaining as a helpless waif on
our hands”. The essence of indivisibility will be clear from a
comparison of the article a
and
the prefix a-
in
a
lion and
alive.
A lion is
a word-group because we can separate its elements and insert other
words between them: a
living lion, a dead lion. Alive is
a word: it is indivisible, i.e. structurally impermeable: nothing can
be inserted between its elements. The morpheme a-
is
not free, is not a word. The
28
situation
becomes more complicated if we cannot be guided by solid spelling.’
“The Oxford English Dictionary», for instance, does not
include the
reciprocal pronouns each
other and
one
another under
separate headings, although
they should certainly be analysed as word-units, not as word-groups
since they have become indivisible: we now say with
each other and
with
one another instead
of the older forms one
with another or
each
with the other.1
Altogether
is
one word according to its spelling, but how is one to treat all
right, which
is rather a similar combination?
When
discussing the internal cohesion of the word the English linguist
John Lyons points out that it should be discussed in terms of two
criteria “positional
mobility”
and
“uninterruptability”.
To illustrate the first he segments into morphemes the following
sentence:
the
—
boy
—
s
—
walk
—
ed
—
slow
—
ly
—
up
—
the
—
hill
The
sentence may be regarded as a sequence of ten morphemes, which occur
in a particular order relative to one another. There are several
possible changes in this order which yield an acceptable English
sentence:
slow
—
ly
—
the
—
boy
—
s
—
walk
—
ed
—
up
—
the
—
hill
up —
the
—
hill
—
slow
—
ly
—
walk
—
ed
—
the
—
boy
—
s
Yet
under all the permutations certain groups of morphemes behave as
‘blocks’ —
they
occur always together, and in the same order relative to one another.
There is no possibility of the sequence s
—
the
—
boy,
ly —
slow,
ed —
walk.
“One
of the characteristics of the word is that it tends to be internally
stable (in terms of the order of the component morphemes), but
positionally mobile (permutable with other words in the same
sentence)”.2
A
purely semantic treatment will be found in Stephen Ullmann’s
explanation: with him connected discourse, if analysed from the
semantic point of view, “will fall into a certain number of
meaningful segments which are ultimately composed of meaningful
units. These meaningful units are called words.»3
The
semantic-phonological approach may be illustrated by A.H.Gardiner’s
definition: “A word is an articulate sound-symbol in its aspect of
denoting something which is spoken about.»4
The
eminent French linguist A. Meillet (1866-1936)
combines
the semantic, phonological and grammatical criteria and advances a
formula which underlies many subsequent definitions, both abroad and
in our country, including the one given in the beginning of this
book: “A word is defined by the association of a particular meaning
with a
1
Sapir
E. Language.
An Introduction to the Study of Speech. London, 1921,
P.
35.
2 Lyons,
John. Introduction
to Theoretical Linguistics. Cambridge: Univ. Press, 1969.
P. 203.
3 Ullmann
St. The
Principles of Semantics. Glasgow, 1957.
P.
30.
4 Gardiner
A.H. The
Definition of the Word and the Sentence //
The
British Journal of Psychology. 1922.
XII.
P. 355
(quoted
from: Ullmann
St.,
Op.
cit., P. 51).
29
particular
group of sounds capable of a particular grammatical employment.»1
This
definition does not permit us to distinguish words from phrases
because not only child,
but
a
pretty child as
well are combinations of a particular group of sounds with a
particular meaning capable of a particular grammatical employment.
We
can, nevertheless, accept this formula with some modifications,
adding that a word is the smallest significant unit of a given
language capable of functioning alone and characterised by positional
mobility
within
a sentence, morphological
uninterruptability
and semantic
integrity.2
All these criteria are necessary because they permit us to create a
basis for the oppositions between the word and the phrase, the word
and the phoneme, and the word and the morpheme: their common feature
is that they are all units of the language, their difference lies in
the fact that the phoneme is not significant, and a morpheme cannot
be used as a complete utterance.
Another
reason for this supplement is the widespread scepticism concerning
the subject. It has even become a debatable point whether a word is a
linguistic unit and not an arbitrary segment of speech. This opinion
is put forth by S. Potter, who writes that “unlike a phoneme or a
syllable, a word is not a linguistic unit at all.»3
He calls it a conventional and arbitrary segment of utterance, and
finally adopts the already mentioned
definition of L. Bloomfield. This position is, however, as
we have already mentioned, untenable, and in fact S. Potter himself
makes ample use of the word as a unit in his linguistic analysis.
The
weak point of all the above definitions is that they do not establish
the relationship between language and thought, which is formulated if
we treat the word as a dialectical unity of form and content, in
which the form is the spoken or written expression which calls up a
specific meaning, whereas the content is the meaning rendering the
emotion or the concept in the mind of the speaker which he intends to
convey to his listener.
Summing
up our review of different definitions, we come to the conclusion
that they are bound to be strongly dependent upon the line of
approach, the aim the scholar has in view. For a comprehensive word
theory, therefore, a description seems more appropriate than a
definition.
The
problem of creating a word theory based upon the materialistic
understanding of the relationship between word and thought on the one
hand, and language and society, on the other, has been one of the
most discussed for many years. The efforts of many eminent scholars
such as V.V. Vinogradov, A. I. Smirnitsky, O.S. Akhmanova, M.D.
Stepanova, A.A. Ufimtseva —
to
name but a few, resulted in throwing light
1
Meillet
A. Linguistique
historique et linguistique generate. Paris,
1926.
Vol.
I. P. 30.
2 It
might be objected that such words as articles, conjunctions and a few
other words
never occur as sentences, but they are not numerous and could be
collected into a
list of exceptions.
3 See:
Potter
S. Modern
Linguistics. London, 1957.
P.
78.
30
on this problem and achieved a
clear presentation of the word as a basic unit of the language. The
main points may now be summarised.
The
word
is the
fundamental
unit
of language.
It is a dialectical
unity
of form
and
content.
Its content or meaning is not identical to notion, but it may reflect
human notions, and in this sense may be considered as the form of
their existence. Concepts fixed in the meaning of words are formed as
generalised and approximately correct reflections of reality,
therefore in signifying them words reflect reality in their content.
The
acoustic aspect of the word serves to name objects of reality, not to
reflect them. In this sense the word may be regarded as a sign. This
sign, however, is not arbitrary but motivated by the whole process of
its development. That is to say, when a word first comes into
existence it is built out of the elements already available in the
language and according to the existing patterns.
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Definition of a Word
A word is a speech sound or a combination of sound having a particular meaning for an idea, object or thought and has a spoken or written form. In English language word is composed by an individual letter (e.g., ‘I’), I am a boy, or by combination of letters (e.g., Jam, name of a person) Jam is a boy. Morphology, a branch of linguistics, deals with the structure of words where we learn under which rules new words are formed, how we assigned a meaning to a word? how a word functions in a proper context? how to spell a word? etc.
Examples of word: All sentences are formed by a series of words. A sentence starts with a word, consists on words and ends with a word. Therefore, there is nothing else in a sentence than a word.
Some different examples are: Boy, kite, fox, mobile phone, nature, etc.
Different Types of Word
There are many types of word; abbreviation, acronym, antonym, back formation, Clipped words (clipping), collocation, compound words, Content words, contractions, derivation, diminutive, function word, homograph, homonym, homophone, legalism, linker, conjunct, borrowed, metonym, monosyllable, polysyllable, rhyme, synonym, etc. Read below for short introduction to each type of word.
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a word that is a short form of a long word.
Example: Dr for doctor, gym for gymnasium
Acronym
Acronym is one of the commonly used types of word formed from the first letter or letters of a compound word/ term and used as a single word.
Example: PIA for Pakistan International Airline
Antonym
An antonym is a word that has opposite meaning of an another word
Example: Forward is an antonym of word backward or open is an antonym of word close.
Back formation
Back formation word is a new word that is produced by removing a part of another word.
Example: In English, ‘tweeze’ (pluck) is a back formation from ‘tweezers’.
Clipped words
Clipped word is a word that has been clipped from an already existing long word for ease of use.
Example: ad for advertisement
Collocation
Collocation is a use of certain words that are frequently used together in form of a phrase or a short sentence.
Example: Make the bed,
Compound words
Compound words are created by placing two or more words together. When compound word is formed the individual words lose their meaning and form a new meaning collectively. Both words are joined by a hyphen, a space or sometime can be written together.
Example: Ink-pot, ice cream,
Content word
A content word is a word that carries some information or has meaning in speech and writing.
Example: Energy, goal, idea.
Contraction
A Contraction is a word that is formed by shortening two or more words and joining them by an apostrophe.
Example: ‘Don’t’ is a contraction of the word ‘do not’.
Derivation
Derivation is a word that is derived from within a language or from another language.
Example: Strategize (to make a plan) from strategy (a plan).
Diminutive
Diminutive is a word that is formed by adding a diminutive suffix with a word.
Example: Duckling by adding suffix link with word duck.
Function word
Function word is a word that is mainly used for expressing some grammatical relationships between other words in a sentence.
Example: (Such as preposition, or auxiliary verb) but, with, into etc.
Homograph
Homograph is a word that is same in written form (spelled alike) as another word but with a different meaning, origin, and occasionally pronounced with a different pronunciation
Example: Bow for ship and same word bow for shooting arrows.
Homonym
Homonyms are the words that are spelled alike and have same pronunciation as another word but have a different meaning.
Example: Lead (noun) a material and lead (verb) to guide or direct.
Homophone
Homophones are the words that have same pronunciation as another word but differ in spelling, meaning, and origin.
Example: To, two, and too are homophones.
Hyponym
Hyponym is a word that has more specific meaning than another more general word of which it is an example.
Example: ‘Parrot’ is a hyponym of ‘birds’.
Legalism
Legalism is a type of word that is used in law terminology.
Example: Summon, confess, judiciary
Linker/ conjuncts
Linker or conjuncts are the words or phrase like ‘however’ or ‘what’s more’ that links what has already been written or said to what is following.
Example: however, whereas, moreover.
Loanword/ borrowed
A loanword or borrowed word is a word taken from one language to use it in another language without any change.
Example: The word pizza is taken from Italian language and used in English language
Metonym
Metonym is a word which we use to refer to something else that it is directly related to that.
Example: ‘Islamabad’ is frequently used as a metonym for the Pakistan government.
Monosyllable
Monosyllable is a word that has only one syllable.
Example: Come, go, in, yes, or no are monosyllables.
Polysyllable
Polysyllable is a word that has two or more than two syllables.
Example: Interwoven, something or language are polysyllables.
Rhyme
Rhyme is a type of word used in poetry that ends with similar sound as the other words in stanza.
Example; good, wood, should, could.
Synonym
Synonym is a word that has similar meaning as another word.
Example: ‘happiness’ is a synonym for ‘joy’.
- Top Definitions
- Synonyms
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- British
- Idioms And Phrases
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
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-wordblackbird (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.
(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.See also C-word, F-word, N-word.
words,
- speech or talk: to express one’s emotion in words;Words mean little when action is called for.
- the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.
- contentious or angry speech; a quarrel: We had words and she walked out on me.
a short talk or conversation: Marston, I’d like a word with you.
an expression or utterance: a word of warning.
warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I’ll be there.
news; tidings; information: We received word of his death.
a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.
an authoritative utterance, or command: His word was law.
Also called machine word. Computers. a string of bits, characters, or bytes treated as a single entity by a computer, particularly for numeric purposes.
(initial capital letter)Also called the Word, the Word of God.
- the Scriptures; the Bible.
- the Logos.
- the message of the gospel of Christ.
a proverb or motto.
verb (used with object)
to express in words; select words to express; phrase: to word a contract with great care.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Which sentence is correct?
Idioms about word
at a word, in immediate response to an order or request; in an instant: At a word they came to take the situation in hand.
be as good as one’s word, to hold to one’s promises.
eat one’s words, to retract one’s statement, especially with humility: They predicted his failure, but he made them eat their words.
have a word, to talk briefly: Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.
have no words for, to be unable to describe: She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.
in a word, in summary; in short: In a word, there was no comparison.Also in one word.
in so many words, in unequivocal terms; explicitly: She told them in so many words to get out.
keep one’s word, to fulfill one’s promise: I said I’d meet the deadline, and I kept my word.
man of his word / woman of her word, a person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.
(upon) my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)
of few words, laconic; taciturn: a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.
of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy: a person of many words but of little wit.
put in a good word for, to speak favorably of; commend: He put in a good word for her with the boss.Also put in a word for.
take one at one’s word, to take a statement to be literal and true.
take the words out of one’s mouth, to say exactly what another person was about to say.
weigh one’s words, to choose one’s words carefully in speaking or writing: It was an important message, and he was weighing his words.
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”
OTHER WORDS FROM word
in·ter·word, adjectiveout·word, verb (used with object)well-word·ed, adjective
Words nearby word
Worcester china, Worcester sauce, Worcestershire, Worcestershire sauce, Worcs, word, word accent, wordage, word association, word association test, word-blind
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to word
conversation, talk, account, advice, announcement, comment, expression, information, message, news, remark, report, rumor, saying, speech, concept, name, phrase, sound, term
How to use word in a sentence
-
In other words, the large-scale burning this summer shows that these campaigns have yet to effectively prevent deforestation or the subsequent uncontrolled wildfires in Brazil.
-
In this example, I went with the word “shoes” as this is a product listing for shoes.
-
That may feel like a strange word to describe a perennial 50-game winner — one that’s been so good, and so close — with a generational scoring talent.
-
Think of good synonyms or words connected to the brand, without compromising your Google ranking.
-
If you mouse over the word, you’ll see original English word.
-
This is acting in every sense of the word—bringing an unevolved animal to life and making it utterly believable.
-
She vowed to repay the money—no official word, however, on whether she ever did that.
-
But news of the classes is spread mainly by word of mouth, and participants bring along their friends and families.
-
Still other people have moved away from the word “diet” altogether.
-
Back in Iran, he once got word that the Iranians were going to raid a village where his men were stationed.
-
Not a word now,” cried Longcluse harshly, extending his hand quickly towards him; “I may do that which can’t be undone.
-
Every word that now fell from the agitated Empress was balm to the affrighted nerves of her daughter.
-
When we were mounted Mac leaned over and muttered an admonitory word for Piegan’s ear alone.
-
Now for the tempering of the Gudgeons, I leave it to the judgment of the Workman; but a word or two of the polishing of it.
-
Huxley quotes with satirical gusto Dr. Wace’s declaration as to the word «Infidel.»
British Dictionary definitions for word (1 of 3)
noun
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 morphemesRelated adjective: lexical, verbal
an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussionto have a word with someone
an utterance or expression, esp a brief onea word of greeting
news or informationhe sent word that he would be late
a verbal signal for action; commandwhen I give the word, fire!
an undertaking or promiseI give you my word; he kept his word
an autocratic decree or utterance; orderhis word must be obeyed
a watchword or slogan, as of a political partythe word now is «freedom»
computing a set of bits used to store, transmit, or operate upon an item of information in a computer, such as a program instruction
as good as one’s word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do
at a word at once
by word of mouth orally rather than by written means
in a word briefly or in short
my word!
- an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
- Australian an exclamation of agreement
of one’s word given to or noted for keeping one’s promisesI am a man of my word
put in a word for or put in a good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend
take someone at his word or take someone at her word to assume that someone means, or will do, what he or she sayswhen he told her to go, she took him at his word and left
take someone’s word for it to accept or believe what someone says
the last word
- the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issue
- the latest or most fashionable design, make, or modelthe last word in bikinis
- the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc)the last word in luxury
the word the proper or most fitting expressioncold is not the word for it, it’s freezing!
upon my word!
- archaic on my honour
- an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
word for word
- (of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
- translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense
word of honour a promise; oath
(modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of wordsa word list
verb
(tr) to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase
(tr often foll by up) Australian informal to inform or advise (a person)
Word Origin for word
Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command
British Dictionary definitions for word (2 of 3)
noun the Word
Christianity the 2nd person of the Trinity
Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelationOften called: the Word of God
Word Origin for Word
translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1
British Dictionary definitions for word (3 of 3)
n 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 userthe C-word, meaning cancer
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with word
In addition to the idioms beginning with word
- word for word
- word of honor
- word of mouth, by
- words fail me
- words of one syllable, in
- words stick in one’s throat
- words to that effect
- word to the wise, a
also see:
- 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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Noun
How do you spell that word?
“Please” is a useful word.
Our teacher often used words I didn’t know.
What is the French word for car?
Describe the experience in your own words.
The lawyer used Joe’s words against him.
She gave the word to begin.
We will wait for your word before we serve dinner.
Verb
Could we word the headline differently?
tried to word the declaration exactly right
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite the red flags, hundreds of investors were receiving their dividends on time and word was spreading.
—
Lizzie Johnson, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Feb. 2023
For Lin, surviving sepsis left him determined to make sure that the word gets out about sepsis — and not just in English.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2023
Hayes became the first woman to earn the honor in 1977, earning the title after her Grammy win for best spoken word recording for Great American Documents.
—Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2023
The Clue: This word starts with a consonant and ends with a vowel.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 4 Feb. 2023
The word comes in the wake a ransomware attack that diverted attention from the company’s plans to address lagging profitability.
—Eric Killelea, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2023
Because such people possessed no special skill or status, the word gradually fell into disrepute.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023
Detroit police on Monday called for help from the public – a week after Kemp on Jan. 23 reported Kelly missing and began spreading the word via social media and notifying news outlets.
—Andrea May Sahouri, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2023
The word Tuesday was that more than 12,000 tickets had been sold.
—Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2023
Make sure to word your instructions carefully.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023
How is the city’s referendum worded?
—Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2023
In addition, how a query was worded influenced the accuracy of the model’s response.
—Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 16 Mar. 2023
The players all share a loose but focused way about them, words infielder David Fletcher used to describe the clubhouse.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023
The problem was that a news event happens, some real concrete event happens in the real world, and then it is passed on as information through various news outlets, each one spinning it or at least wording it in a way that aligned to either their core agenda or to the likings of their audience.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2020
At each stage, MyPerfectResume offers suggestions on what content to include and how to word it for the best results.
—Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2022
Your doctor may know how to word a letter that makes clear your medical need for accommodation without giving unnecessary detail.
—Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 30 June 2022
Gerritson said the new standards simply re-word the old standards.
—Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 29 Mar. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘word.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
word
(wûrd)
n.
1. A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.
2.
a. Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment: May I say a word about that?
b. A command or direction; an order: gave the word to retreat.
c. An assurance or promise; sworn intention: She has kept her word.
d. A verbal signal; a password or watchword.
3. words
a. Discourse or talk; speech: Actions speak louder than words.
b. Music The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.
c. Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.
4.
a. News: Any word on your promotion?
b. Rumor: Word has it they’re divorcing.
5. Used euphemistically in combination with the initial letter of a term that is considered offensive or taboo or that one does not want to utter: «Although economists here will not call it a recession yet, the dreaded ‘R’ word is beginning to pop up in the media» (Francine S. Kiefer).
6. Word
b. The Scriptures; the Bible.
7. Computers A set of bits that is of a fixed size and is typically operated on by a computer’s processor.
tr.v. word·ed, word·ing, words
To express in words: worded the petition carefully.
interj.
Slang Used to express approval or an affirmative response to something. Sometimes used with up.
Idioms:
at a word
In immediate response.
good word
1. A favorable comment: She put in a good word for me.
2. Favorable news.
have a word with
To have a brief conversation with (someone); speak to.
have no words for
To be unable to describe or talk about.
in a word
In short; in summary: In a word, the situation is serious.
in so many words
1. In precisely those words; exactly: hinted at impending indictments but did not say it in so many words.
2. Speaking candidly and straightforwardly: In so many words, the weather has been beastly.
of few words
Not conversational or loquacious; laconic: a person of few words.
of (one’s) word
Displaying personal dependability: a woman of her word.
take at (someone’s) word
To be convinced of another’s sincerity and act in accord with his or her statement: We took them at their word that the job would be done on time.
take (someone’s) word for it
To believe what someone says without investigating further.
upon my word
Indeed; really.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
word
(wɜːd)
n
1. (Linguistics) 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. (Computer Science) 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. as good as one’s word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do
11. at a word at once
12. by word of mouth orally rather than by written means
13. in a word briefly or in short
14. my word!
a. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
b. Austral an exclamation of agreement
15. of one’s word given to or noted for keeping one’s promises: I am a man of my word.
16. put in a word for put in a good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend
17. take someone at his word take someone at her word 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. take someone’s word for it to accept or believe what someone says
19. the last word
a. the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issue
b. the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model: the last word in bikinis.
c. the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc): the last word in luxury.
20. the word the proper or most fitting expression: cold is not the word for it, it’s freezing!.
21. upon my word!
a. archaic on my honour
b. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
22. word for word
a. (of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
b. translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense
23. word of honour a promise; oath
24. (modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of words: a word list.
vb
25. (tr) to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase
26. informal (often foll by: up) Austral to inform or advise (a person)
[Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command]
Word
(wɜːd)
n
1. (Ecclesiastical Terms) Christianity the 2nd person of the Trinity
2. (Theology) Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelation. Often called: the Word of God
[translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
word
(wɜrd)
n.
1. a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning, is typically seen as the smallest such unit capable of independent use, is separated from other such units by spaces in writing, and is often distinguished phonologically, as by accent or pause.
2. words,
a. verbal expression, esp. speech or talk: to express one’s emotions in words.
b. the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.
c. contentious or angry speech; a quarrel.
3. a short talk or conversation: May I have a word with you?
4. an expression or utterance: a word of warning.
5. warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I’ll be there.
6. news; tidings; information: We received word of an uprising.
7. a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.
8. an authoritative utterance or command: His word was law.
9. a string of bits or bytes of fixed length treated as a unit for storage and processing by a computer.
10. (cap.) Also called the Word, the Word′ of God′.
a. the Scriptures; the Bible.
b. the Logos.
c. the message of the gospel of Christ.
11. a proverb or motto.
12. (used to form a usu. humorous euphemism by combining with the initial letter of a taboo or supposedly taboo word): a ban on television’s use of the F-word. Taxes — politicians’ dreaded T-word.
v.t.
13. to select words to express; phrase: to word a contract carefully.
interj.
14. Sometimes, word up. Slang. (used to express satisfaction, approval, or agreement): You got a job? Word!
Idioms:
1. be as good as one’s word, to do what one has promised.
2. eat one’s words, to retract one’s statement, esp. with humility.
3. in a word, in summary; in short.
4. in so many words, in unequivocal terms; explicitly: She told them in so many words to get out.
5. man of his word or woman of her word, a trustworthy, reliable person.
6. my word! or upon my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)
7. of few words, not talkative; laconic; taciturn.
8. of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy.
9. put in a (good) word for, to speak favorably on behalf of; commend.
10. take one at one’s word, to take a statement to be literal and true.
11. take the words out of someone’s mouth, to say exactly what another person was about to say.
[before 900; Middle English, Old English, c. Old Frisian, Old Saxon word, Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd; akin to Latin verbum word, Lithuanian vardas name]
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
Word(s)
See Also: SPEAKING; WORDS, DEFINED; WORDS, EFFECT OF; WORDS OF PRAISE; WRITERS/WRITING
- Applying words like bandages —William Mcllvanney
- Words should be scattered like seed; no matter how small the seed may be, if it has once found favorable ground, it unfolds its strength —Seneca
- Words, like Nature, half reveal and half conceal the Soul within —Alfred, Lord Tennyson
- Her words still hung in the air between us like a whisp of tobacco smoke —Evelyn Waugh
- It is with words as with sunbeams, the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn —Robert Southey
- Words, like men, grow an individuality; their character changes with years and with use —Anon
- Words, like fine flowers, have their color too —Ernest Rhys
- Words, like clothes, get old-fashioned, or mean and ridiculous, when they have been for some time laid aside —William Hazlitt
- Words, like fashions, disappear and recur throughout English history —Virginia Graham
- The word seemed to linger in the air, to throb in the air like the note of a violin —Katherine Mansfield
- Her words at first seemed fitful like the talking of the trees —Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- (She spoke to them slowly,) dropping the words like ping pong balls —Helen Hudson
- Every word hanging like the sack of cement on a murdered body at the bottom of the river —Diane Wakoski
- Her words fell like rain on a waterproof umbrella; they made a noise, but they could not reach the head which they seemed destined to deluge —Frances Trollope
- His words were smoother than oil (and yet be they swords) —The Book of Common Prayer
- It is as easy to draw back a stone thrown from the hand, as to recall a word once spoken —Menander
- Like blood from a cut vein, words flowed —James Morrow
- My words slipped from me like broken weapons —Edith Wharton
- An old sentence … ran through her mind like a frightened mouse in a maze —Babs H. Deal
- The rest [words meant to remain unspoken] rolled out like string from a hidden ball of twine —Lynne Sharon Schwartz
- The sentence rang over and over again in his mind like a dirge —Margaret Millar
- Stiff as frozen rope words poke out —Marge Piercy
- They [a group at a party] flung them [words] like weapons, handled them like jewels, tossed them on air with reckless abandon as though they scattered confetti —Mary Hedin
- The word hissed like steam escaping from an overloaded pressure system —Ross Macdonald
- A word once spoken, like an arrow shot, can never be retracted —Anon
This simile was first used by Talmudic rabbis
- Words as meaningless and wonderful as wind chimes —Sharon Sheehe Stark
- The words came out like bullets —H. E. Bates
- Words came out … tumbling like a litter of puppies from a kennel —F. van Wyck Mason
- The words crumbled in his mouth like ashes —William Diehl
- Words … danced in my mind like wild ponies that moved only to my command —Hortense Calisher
- Words falling softly as rose petals —Mary Hedin
- Words, frothy and toneless like a chain of bursting bubbles —L. P. Hartley
- Words gushing and tumbling as if a hose had been turned on —Rose Tremain
- Words gush like toothpaste —Margaret Atwood
- The words [just spoken] hung like smoke in the air —Doris Grumbach
- Words … like bits of cold wind —Mary Hedin
- (She dealt her) words like blades —Emily Dickinson
- Words, like butterflies, stagger from his lips —John Updike
- Words, like glass, obscure when they do not aid vision —Joseph Joubet
- Words … limp and clear like a jellyfish … hard and mean and secretive like a horned snail … austere and comical as top hats, or smooth and lively and flattering as ribbons —Alice Munro
The narrator of Munro’s story, Spelling, contemplates the meaning of words while visiting an old woman.
- The word spiralled through the silence like a worm in wood —Harris Downey
- The words (out) of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords —The Holy Bible/Psalms
- Words … plunked down with a click like chessmen —Yehuda Amichai
- Words … poured wetly from her red lips as from a pitcher —Lynne Sharon Schwartz
- The words rang in the silence like the sound of a great cash register —Kingsley Amis
- Words ran together too quickly, like rapid water —Joanna Wojewski Higgins
- Words roll around in Benna’s mouth [heroine of novel, Anagrams, by Lorrie Moore] like Life Savers on a tongue —Carol Hills, New York Times Book Review, November 2, 1986
- Words that string and creep like insects —Conrad Aiken
- Words … tumbling out and tripping over each other like mice —Susan Fromberg Schaeffer
- The words went by like flights of moths under the star-soaked sky —Adrienne Rich
- Words … white and anonymous as a snowball —Donald McCaig
See Also: WHITE
- (If he once … let loose … the) words would come like a great flood, like vomiting —George Garrett
- Your words to the end, hard as a pair of new cowboy boots —A. D. Winans
See Also: TOUGHNESS
Similes Dictionary, 1st Edition. © 1988 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
word
Past participle: worded
Gerund: wording
| Imperative |
|---|
| word |
| word |
| Present |
|---|
| I word |
| you word |
| he/she/it words |
| we word |
| you word |
| they word |
| Preterite |
|---|
| I worded |
| you worded |
| he/she/it worded |
| we worded |
| you worded |
| they worded |
| Present Continuous |
|---|
| I am wording |
| you are wording |
| he/she/it is wording |
| we are wording |
| you are wording |
| they are wording |
| Present Perfect |
|---|
| I have worded |
| you have worded |
| he/she/it has worded |
| we have worded |
| you have worded |
| they have worded |
| Past Continuous |
|---|
| I was wording |
| you were wording |
| he/she/it was wording |
| we were wording |
| you were wording |
| they were wording |
| Past Perfect |
|---|
| I had worded |
| you had worded |
| he/she/it had worded |
| we had worded |
| you had worded |
| they had worded |
| Future |
|---|
| I will word |
| you will word |
| he/she/it will word |
| we will word |
| you will word |
| they will word |
| Future Perfect |
|---|
| I will have worded |
| you will have worded |
| he/she/it will have worded |
| we will have worded |
| you will have worded |
| they will have worded |
| Future Continuous |
|---|
| I will be wording |
| you will be wording |
| he/she/it will be wording |
| we will be wording |
| you will be wording |
| they will be wording |
| Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I have been wording |
| you have been wording |
| he/she/it has been wording |
| we have been wording |
| you have been wording |
| they have been wording |
| Future Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I will have been wording |
| you will have been wording |
| he/she/it will have been wording |
| we will have been wording |
| you will have been wording |
| they will have been wording |
| Past Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I had been wording |
| you had been wording |
| he/she/it had been wording |
| we had been wording |
| you had been wording |
| they had been wording |
| Conditional |
|---|
| I would word |
| you would word |
| he/she/it would word |
| we would word |
| you would word |
| they would word |
| Past Conditional |
|---|
| I would have worded |
| you would have worded |
| he/she/it would have worded |
| we would have worded |
| you would have worded |
| they would have worded |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. | word — a unit of language that native speakers can identify; «words are the blocks from which sentences are made»; «he hardly said ten words all morning»
language unit, linguistic unit — one of the natural units into which linguistic messages can be analyzed anagram — a word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase anaphor — a word (such as a pronoun) used to avoid repetition; the referent of an anaphor is determined by its antecedent antonym, opposite, opposite word — a word that expresses a meaning opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other; «to him the antonym of `gay’ was `depressed'» back-formation — a word invented (usually unwittingly by subtracting an affix) on the assumption that a familiar word derives from it charade — a word acted out in an episode of the game of charades cognate word, cognate — a word is cognate with another if both derive from the same word in an ancestral language content word, open-class word — a word to which an independent meaning can be assigned contraction — a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds; «`won’t’ is a contraction of `will not'»; «`o’clock’ is a contraction of `of the clock'» deictic, deictic word — a word specifying identity or spatial or temporal location from the perspective of a speaker or hearer in the context in which the communication occurs; «words that introduce particulars of the speaker’s and hearer’s shared cognitive field into the message»- R.Rommetveit derivative — (linguistics) a word that is derived from another word; «`electricity’ is a derivative of `electric'» diminutive — a word that is formed with a suffix (such as -let or -kin) to indicate smallness dirty word — a word that is considered to be unmentionable; «`failure’ is a dirty word to him» dissyllable, disyllable — a word having two syllables descriptor, form, signifier, word form — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; «the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached» four-letter Anglo-Saxon word, four-letter word — any of several short English words (often having 4 letters) generally regarded as obscene or offensive closed-class word, function word — a word that is uninflected and serves a grammatical function but has little identifiable meaning guide word, guideword, catchword — a word printed at the top of the page of a dictionary or other reference book to indicate the first or last item on that page head word, head — (grammar) the word in a grammatical constituent that plays the same grammatical role as the whole constituent headword — a word placed at the beginning of a line or paragraph (as in a dictionary entry) heteronym — two words are heteronyms if they are spelled the same way but differ in pronunciation; «the word `bow’ is an example of a heteronym» holonym, whole name — a word that names the whole of which a given word is a part; «`hat’ is a holonym for `brim’ and `crown'» homonym — two words are homonyms if they are pronounced or spelled the same way but have different meanings hypernym, superordinate word, superordinate — a word that is more generic than a given word hyponym, subordinate word, subordinate — a word that is more specific than a given word key word — a significant word used in indexing or cataloging hybrid, loanblend, loan-blend — a word that is composed of parts from different languages (e.g., `monolingual’ has a Greek prefix and a Latin root) loanword, loan — a word borrowed from another language; e.g. `blitz’ is a German word borrowed into modern English meronym, part name — a word that names a part of a larger whole; «`brim’ and `crown’ are meronyms of `hat'» metonym — a word that denotes one thing but refers to a related thing; «Washington is a metonym for the United States government»; «plastic is a metonym for credit card» monosyllabic word, monosyllable — a word or utterance of one syllable neologism, neology, coinage — a newly invented word or phrase hapax legomenon, nonce word — a word with a special meaning used for a special occasion oxytone — word having stress or an acute accent on the last syllable palindrome — a word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward primitive — a word serving as the basis for inflected or derived forms; «`pick’ is the primitive from which `picket’ is derived» paroxytone — word having stress or acute accent on the next to last syllable partitive — word (such a `some’ or `less’) that is used to indicate a part as distinct from a whole polysemant, polysemantic word, polysemous word — a word having more than one meaning |
| 2. | word — a brief statement; «he didn’t say a word about it»
statement — a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc; «according to his statement he was in London on that day» |
|
| 3. |  word — information about recent and important events; «they awaited news of the outcome»
news, tidings, intelligence info, information — a message received and understood good word — good news latest — the most recent news or development; «have you heard the latest?» update — news that updates your information |
|
| 4. | word — a verbal command for action; «when I give the word, charge!»
order — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed; «the British ships dropped anchor and waited for orders from London» |
|
| 5. | word — an exchange of views on some topic; «we had a good discussion»; «we had a word or two about it»
give-and-take, discussion speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication, oral communication, speech, language — (language) communication by word of mouth; «his speech was garbled»; «he uttered harsh language»; «he recorded the spoken language of the streets» argumentation, debate, argument — a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal; «the argument over foreign aid goes on and on» deliberation — (usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question; «the deliberations of the jury» group discussion, conference — a discussion among participants who have an agreed (serious) topic panel discussion — discussion of a subject of public interest by a group of persons forming a panel usually before an audience postmortem, post-mortem — discussion of an event after it has occurred public discussion, ventilation — free and open discussion of (or debate on) some question of public interest; «such a proposal deserves thorough public discussion» negotiation, talks, dialogue — a discussion intended to produce an agreement; «the buyout negotiation lasted several days»; «they disagreed but kept an open dialogue»; «talks between Israelis and Palestinians» |
|
| 6. |  word — a promise; «he gave his word»
parole, word of honor promise — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future |
|
| 7. | word — a word is a string of bits stored in computer memory; «large computers use words up to 64 bits long»
computer memory unit — a unit for measuring computer memory byte — a sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information KiB, kibibyte, kilobyte, kB, K — a unit of information equal to 1024 bytes |
|
| 8. | Word — the divine word of God; the second person in the Trinity (incarnate in Jesus)
Logos, Son |
|
| 9. |  word — a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group; «he forgot the password»
countersign, password, watchword, parole arcanum, secret — information known only to a special group; «the secret of Cajun cooking» positive identification — evidence proving that you are who you say you are; evidence establishing that you are among the group of people already known to the system; recognition by the system leads to acceptance; «a system for positive identification can prevent the use of a single identity by several people» |
|
| 10. |  Word — the sacred writings of the Christian religions; «he went to carry the Word to the heathen»
Christian Bible, Good Book, Holy Scripture, Holy Writ, Scripture, Bible, Word of God, Book religious text, religious writing, sacred text, sacred writing — writing that is venerated for the worship of a deity family Bible — a large Bible with pages to record marriages and births Old Testament — the collection of books comprising the sacred scripture of the Hebrews and recording their history as the chosen people; the first half of the Christian Bible Testament — either of the two main parts of the Christian Bible New Testament — the collection of books of the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline and other epistles, and Revelation; composed soon after Christ’s death; the second half of the Christian Bible covenant — (Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return eisegesis — personal interpretation of a text (especially of the Bible) using your own ideas exegesis — an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible) text — a passage from the Bible that is used as the subject of a sermon; «the preacher chose a text from Psalms to introduce his sermon» Gabriel — (Bible) the archangel who was the messenger of God Noachian deluge, Noah and the Flood, Noah’s flood, the Flood — (Biblical) the great deluge that is said in the Book of Genesis to have occurred in the time of Noah; it was brought by God upon the earth because of the wickedness of human beings demythologise, demythologize — remove the mythical element from (writings); «the Bible should be demythologized and examined for its historical value» |
|
| Verb | 1. |  word — put into words or an expression; «He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees»
give voice, phrase, articulate, formulate ask — direct or put; seek an answer to; «ask a question» evince, express, show — give expression to; «She showed her disappointment» lexicalise, lexicalize — make or coin into a word or accept a new word into the lexicon of a language; «The concept expressed by German `Gemuetlichkeit’ is not lexicalized in English» dogmatise, dogmatize — state as a dogma formularise, formularize — express as a formula couch, redact, put, frame, cast — formulate in a particular style or language; «I wouldn’t put it that way»; «She cast her request in very polite language» |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
word
noun
2. chat, tête-à-tête, talk, discussion, consultation, chitchat, brief conversation, colloquy, confabulation, confab (informal), heart-to-heart, powwow (informal) James, could I have a quick word with you?
4. message, news, latest (informal), report, information, account, notice, advice, communication, intelligence, bulletin, dispatch, gen (Brit. informal), communiqué, intimation, tidings There is no word from the authorities on the reported attack.
5. promise, guarantee, pledge, undertaking, vow, assurance, oath, parole, word of honour, solemn oath, solemn word He simply cannot be trusted to keep his word.
have words argue, fight, row, clash, disagree, fall out (informal), feud, quarrel, squabble, wrangle, bicker, have a row, lock horns, cross swords, be at each other’s throats, have a tiff (informal), have a barney (Brit. informal) We had words and she stormed out.
the last word
1. final say, ultimatum Our manager has the last word on all major decisions.
2. summation, finis We’ll let this gentleman have the last word.
the last word in something epitome, newest, best, latest, crown, cream, rage, ultimate, vogue, perfection, mother of all (informal), quintessence, crème de la crème (French), ne plus ultra (French), dernier cri (French) The spa is the last word in luxury.
word for word
2. verbatim, direct, strict, accurate, exact, precise, faithful, literal, unadulterated, unabridged, unvarnished, undeviating, unembellished a word-for-word account of what had been said
Quotations
«In the beginning was the Word» Bible: St. John
«Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind» [Rudyard Kipling]
«For words, like Nature, half reveal»
«And half conceal the Soul within» [Alfred, Lord Tennyson]
«`When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in a rather scornful tone, `it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.'» [Lewis Carroll Through the Looking-Glass]
«Words just say what you want them to say; they don’t know any better» [A.L. Kennedy The Role of Notable Silences in Scottish History]
«and once sent out, a word takes wing beyond recall» [Horace Epistles]
«Words are the physicians of a mind diseased» [Aeschylus Prometheus Bound]
«Thought flies and words go on foot» [Julien Green Journal]
«How often misused words generate misleading thoughts» [Herbert Spencer Principles of Ethics]
«Words are the tokens current and accepted for conceits, as moneys are for values» [Francis Bacon The Advancement of Learning]
«Words are wise men’s counters, they do but reckon by them» [Thomas Hobbes Leviathan]
«Oaths are but words, and words but wind» [Samuel Butler Hudibras]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
word
noun
1. A sound or combination of sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning:
3. Something communicated, as information:
4. A declaration that one will or will not do a certain thing:
assurance, covenant, engagement, guarantee, guaranty, pledge, plight, promise, solemn word, vow, warrant, word of honor.
5. An authoritative indication to be obeyed:
behest, bidding, charge, command, commandment, dictate, direction, directive, injunction, instruction (often used in plural), mandate, order.
6. New information, especially about recent events and happenings:
7. Idle, often sensational and groundless talk about others:
8. A discussion, often heated, in which a difference of opinion is expressed.Used in plural:
altercation, argument, bicker, clash, contention, controversy, debate, difficulty, disagreement, dispute, fight, polemic, quarrel, run-in, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle.
verb
To convey in language or words of a particular form:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
خَبَر، كَلِمَهكلمةكَلِمَةكَلِمَهمُحادَثَه قَصيرَه
дума
motparaula
slovoslib
ordsamtaleæresordbeskedformulere
vorto
sõna
گفتار
sana
מלה
riječ
szórövid beszélgetés
parolaverbovocabulo
kata
fréttirloforî, heitorðorîorî, samtal
単語福音言葉言語言質
단어말말씀낱말
verbumvocabulum
formulavimasgerai įsimenantisįsiterpti į pokalbįišreikšti žodžiaislaikytis žodžio
godavārdsīsa sarunaizteikt vārdospāris vārduvārds
cuvânt
božie slovočestné slovopár slovsformulovaťslovo
besedačastna besedadržati besedo
rečреч
ord
คำ
từ
word
[wɜːd]
A. N
1. (gen) → palabra f; (= remark) → palabra f (Ling) → voz f, vocablo m
I remember every word he said → recuerdo todas y cada una de sus palabras
that’s not the word I would have chosen → yo no me hubiera expresado así
the words (= lyrics) → la letra
I won’t hear a word against him → no permito que se le critique
a big word → una palabra difícil
in word and deed → de palabra y hecho
words fail me → no me lo puedo creer
words failed me → me quedé sin habla
a man of few words → un hombre nada locuaz
I can’t find (the) words to tell you → no encuentro palabras para decirte …
fine words → palabras elocuentes (pero quizá poco sinceras)
word for word → palabra por palabra
too stupid for words → de lo más estúpido
what’s the word for «shop» in Spanish? → ¿cómo se dice «shop» en español?
the Spanish have a word for it → en español existe una palabra para eso
there is no other word for it → no se puede llamar de otro modo
silly isn’t the word for it → ¡llamarle estúpido es poco!
I can’t get a word out of him → no logro sacarle una palabra
in a word → en pocas palabras, en una palabra
in other words → en otros términos, es decir, esto es
in the words of Calderón → con palabras de Calderón, como dice Calderón
in his own words → con sus propias palabras
she didn’t say so in so many words → no lo dijo exactamente así, no lo dijo así concretamente
to have the last word in an argument → decir la última palabra en una discusión
to measure one’s words → medir las palabras
by word of mouth → verbalmente, de palabra
a word of advice → un consejo
a word of thanks → unas palabras de agradecimiento
a word of warning → una advertencia
I can’t put my feelings into words → no tengo palabras para expresar lo que siento
to put in a (good) word for sb → avalar a algn, interceder por algn
don’t say a word about it → no digas nada de eso
he never said a word → no dijo una sola palabra
he didn’t say a word about it to me → ni me lo mencionó
nobody had a good word to say about him → nadie quería defenderle, nadie habló en su favor
I now call on Mr Allison to say a few words → ahora le cedo la palabra al Sr. Allison, ahora le invito al Sr. Allison a hacer uso de la palabra
to weigh one’s words → medir las palabras
with these words, he sat down → y tras pronunciar estas palabras se sentó
without a word → sin decir palabra or ni pío
from the word go → desde el principio mismo
it’s the last word in luxury → es el último grito en lo que a lujo se refiere
you’re putting words into my mouth → te refieres a cosas que yo no he dicho
you took the words right out of my mouth → me quitaste la palabra de la boca
the word on the street is that … → los que saben del tema dicen que …
many a true word is spoken in jest → las bromas a veces pueden ser veras
a word to the wise (is sufficient) → al buen entendedor pocas palabras le bastan
see also breathe A2
see also eat A
see also edgeways, mince A2
2. (= talk) to have a word with sb → hablar (dos palabras) con algn, tener unas palabras con algn
I’ll have a word with him about it → lo hablaré con él, se lo mencionaré
could I have a (short) word with you? → ¿puedo hablar un momento contigo?
I had a few words with him yesterday → tuve unas palabras con él ayer
to have a word in sb’s ear (Brit) → decir algo a algn en confianza
3. (= angry words)
to have words with sb → reñir or (esp LAm) pelear(se) con algn
the referee had words with him → el árbitro le dijo cuatro palabras
words passed between them → cambiaron algunas palabras injuriosas
4. (no pl) (= message) → recado m; (= news) → noticia f, aviso m
to bring word of sth to sb → informar a algn de algo
word came that → llegó noticia de que …, se supo que …
if word gets out that → si sale a la luz que …, si llega a saberse que …
the word is going round that → se dice que …, corre la voz de que …
word has it that …, the word is that → se dice que …
to leave word (with/for sb) that → dejar recado (con/para algn) de que …, dejar dicho (con/para algn) que …
there’s still no word from John → todavía no sabemos nada de John
pass the word that it’s time to go → diles que es hora de marcharnos
to send word → mandar recado
to send sb word of sth → avisar a algn de algo
to spread the word → propagar la noticia
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
word
[ˈwɜːrd]
npl [song] → paroles fpl
I really like the words of this song → J’adore les paroles de cette chanson.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
word
n
(= remark) → Wort nt; words → Worte pl; a word of advice → ein Rat(schlag) m; a word of encouragement/warning → eine Ermunterung/Warnung; fine words → schöne Worte pl; a man of few words → ein Mann, der nicht viele Worte macht; I can’t get a word out of him → ich kann kein Wort aus ihm herausbekommen; by word of mouth → durch mündliche Überlieferung; to say a few words → ein paar Worte sprechen; to be lost or at a loss for words → nicht wissen, was man sagen soll; to take somebody at his word → jdn beim Wort nehmen; to have a word with somebody (about something) (= talk to) → mit jdm (über etw) sprechen; to have a word with somebody (= reprimand, discipline) → jdn ins Gebet nehmen; John, could I have a word? → John, kann ich dich mal sprechen?; (could I have) a word in your ear? → kann ich Sie bitte allein or unter vier Augen sprechen?; a word to the wise → ein guter Rat; you took the words out of my mouth → du hast mir das Wort aus dem Mund genommen; I wish you wouldn’t put words into my mouth → ich wünschte, Sie würden mir nicht das Wort im Munde herumdrehen; to put in or say a (good) word for somebody → für jdn ein gutes Wort einlegen; nobody had a good word to say for him → niemand wusste etwas Gutes über ihn zu sagen; without a word → ohne ein Wort; don’t say or breathe a word about it → sag aber bitte keinen Ton or kein Sterbenswörtchen (inf) → davon; remember, not a word to anyone → vergiss nicht, kein Sterbenswörtchen (inf)
words pl (= text, lyrics) → Text m
no pl (= message, news) → Nachricht f; word went round that … → es ging die Nachricht um, dass …; to leave word (with somebody/for somebody) that … → (bei jdm/für jdn) (die Nachricht) hinterlassen, dass …; is there any word from John yet? → schon von John gehört?, schon Nachrichten von John?; to send word → Nachricht geben; to send word to somebody → jdn benachrichtigen; to send somebody word of something → jdn von etw benachrichtigen; to spread the word (around) (inf) → es allen sagen (inf); what’s the word on Charlie? (inf) → was gibts Neues von Charlie?
(= promise, assurance) → Wort nt; word of honour (Brit) or honor (US) → Ehrenwort nt; a man of his word → ein Mann, der zu seinem Wort steht; to be true to or as good as one’s word, to keep one’s word → sein Wort halten; I give you my word → ich gebe dir mein (Ehren)wort; to go back on one’s word → sein Wort nicht halten; to break one’s word → sein Wort brechen; I only have his word for it → ich habe nur sein Wort dafür; take my word for it → verlass dich drauf, das kannst du mir glauben; you don’t have to take my word for it → du kannst das ruhig nachprüfen; it’s his word against mine → Aussage steht gegen Aussage; upon my word! (old) my word! → meine Güte!
(= order) → Wort nt; (also word of command) → Kommando nt, → Befehl m; to give the word (to do something) (Mil) → das Kommando geben(, etw zu tun); just say the word → sag nur ein Wort; his word is law here → sein Wort ist hier Gesetz
word
:
word association
n → Wortassoziation f
word-blind
adj → wortblind
word blindness
n → Wortblindheit f
word break
n (of a word) → (Silben)trennung f
word class
n → Wortklasse f
wordcount
n (Comput) → Wortzählung f
wordcrunch
vt (Comput inf) text → (nach Wörtern) analysieren
word deafness
n (Med, Psych) → Worttaubheit f
word ending
n (Ling) → Wortendung f
word game
n → Buchstabenspiel nt
word
:
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
word
[wɜːd]
2. vt (document, protest) → formulare
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
word
(wəːd) noun
1. the smallest unit of language (whether written, spoken or read).
2. a (brief) conversation. I’d like a (quick) word with you in my office.
3. news. When you get there, send word that you’ve arrived safely.
4. a solemn promise. He gave her his word that it would never happen again.
verb
to express in written or spoken language. How are you going to word the letter so that it doesn’t seem rude?
ˈwording noun
the manner of expressing something, the choice of words etc.
ˈword processor noun
a program for writing or editing texts, letters etc and storing them in the computer’s memory; a computer used for doing this.
ˈword processing nounˌword-ˈperfect adjective
repeated, or able to repeat something, precisely in the original words. a word-perfect performance; He wants to be word-perfect by next week’s rehearsal.
by word of mouth
by one person telling another in speech, not in writing. She got the information by word of mouth.
get a word in edgeways
to break into a conversation etc and say something.
in a word
to sum up briefly. In a word, I don’t like him.
keep/break one’s word
to keep or fail to keep one’s promise.
take (someone) at his/her word
to believe (someone) without question and act according to his words.
take someone’s word for it
to assume that what someone says is correct (without checking).
word for word
in the exact, original words. That’s precisely what he told me, word for word.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
word
→ كَلِمَة slovo ord Wort λέξη palabra sana mot riječ parola 単語 단어 woord ord słowo palavra слово ord คำ sözcük từ 词
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
word
n. vocablo, palabra, término.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
- What is the word for …?
- All one word
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
word
n palabra; — finding difficulty dificultad f para encontrar palabras
English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
According to traditional grammar, a word is defined as, “the basic unit of language”. The word is usually a speech sound or mixture of sounds which is represented in speaking and writing.
Few examples of words are fan, cat, building, scooter, kite, gun, jug, pen, dog, chair, tree, football, sky, etc.
You can also define it as, “a letter or group/set of letters which has some meaning”. So, therefore the words are classified according to their meaning and action.
It works as a symbol to represent/refer to something/someone in the language.
The group of words makes a sentence. These sentences contain different types of functions (of the words) in it.
The structure (formation) of words can be studied with Morphology which is usually a branch (part) of linguistics.
The meaning of words can be studied with Lexical semantics which is also a branch (part) of linguistics.
Also Read: What is a Sentence in English Grammar? | Best Guide for 2021
The word can be used in many ways. Few of them are mentioned below.
- Noun (rabbit, ring, pencil, US, etc)
- Pronoun (he, she, it, we, they, etc)
- Adjective (big, small, fast, slow, etc)
- Verb (jumping, singing, dancing, etc)
- Adverb (slowly, fastly, smoothly, etc)
- Preposition (in, on, into, for, under, etc)
- Conjunction (and, or, but, etc)
- Subject (in the sentences)
- Verb and many more!
Now, let us understand the basic rules of the words.
Rules/Conditions for word
There are some set of rules (criteria) in the English Language which describes the basic necessity of becoming a proper word.
Rule 1: Every word should have some potential pause in between the speech and space should be given in between while writing.
For example, consider the two words like “football” and “match” which are two different words. So, if you want to use them in a sentence, you need to give a pause in between the words for pronouncing.
It cannot be like “Iwanttowatchafootballmatch” which is very difficult to read (without spaces).
But, if you give pause between the words while reading like, “I”, “want”, “to”, “watch”, “a”, “football”, “match”.
Example Sentence: I want to watch a football match.
We can observe that the above sentence can be read more conveniently and it is the only correct way to read, speak and write.
- Incorrect: Iwanttowatchafootballmatch.
- Correct: I want to watch a football match.
So, always remember that pauses and spaces should be there in between the words.
Rule 2: Every word in English grammar must contain at least one root word.
The root word is a basic word which has meaning in it. But if we further break down the words, then it can’t be a word anymore and it also doesn’t have any meaning in it.
So, let us consider the above example which is “football”. If we break this word further, (such as “foot” + “ball”), we can observe that it has some meaning (even after breaking down).
Now if we further break down the above two words (“foot” + “ball”) like “fo” + “ot” and “ba” + “ll”, then we can observe that the words which are divided have no meaning to it.
So, always you need to remember that the word should have atleast one root word.
Rule 3: Every word you want to use should have some meaning.
Yes, you heard it right!
We know that there are many words in the English Language. If you have any doubt or don’t know the meaning of it, then you can check in the dictionary.
But there are also words which are not defined in the English Language. Many words don’t have any meaning.
So, you need to use only the words which have some meaning in it.
For example, consider the words “Nuculer” and “lakkanah” are not defined in English Language and doesn’t have any meaning.
Always remember that not every word in the language have some meaning to it.
Also Read: 12 Rules of Grammar | (Grammar Basic Rules with examples)
More examples of Word
| Words List | Words List |
| apple | ice |
| aeroplane | jam |
| bat | king |
| biscuit | life |
| cap | mango |
| doll | nest |
| eagle | orange |
| fish | pride |
| grapes | raincoat |
| happy | sad |
Quiz Time! (Test your knowledge here)
#1. A word can be ____________.
all of the above
all of the above
a noun
a noun
an adjective
an adjective
a verb
a verb
Answer: A word can be a noun, verb, adjective, preposition, etc.
#2. A root word is a word that _____________.
none
none
can be divided further
can be divided further
cannot be divided further
cannot be divided further
both
both
Answer: A root word is a word that cannot be divided further.
#3. A group of words can make a ___________.
none
none
sentence
sentence
letters
letters
words
words
Answer: A group of words can make a sentence.
#4. Morphology is a branch of ___________.
none
none
Linguistics
Linguistics
Phonology
Phonology
Semantics
Semantics
Answer: Morphology is a branch of Linguistics.
#5. The meaning of words can be studied with ___________.
none
none
both
both
Morphology
Morphology
Lexical semantics
Lexical semantics
Answer: The meaning of the words can be studied with Lexical semantics.
#6. The word is the largest unit in the language. Is it true or false?
#7. Is cat a word? State true or false.
Answer: “Cat” is a word.
#8. A word is a _____________.
group of paragraphs
group of paragraphs
group of letters
group of letters
group of sentences
group of sentences
All of the above
All of the above
Answer: A word is a group of letters which delivers a message or an idea.
#9. A word is usually a speech sound or mixture of it. Is it true or false?
#10. The structure of words can be studied with ___________.
Morphology
Morphology
both
both
Lexical semantics
Lexical semantics
none
none
Answer: The structure of words can be studied with Morphology.
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Summary: (What is a word?)
- Generally, the word is the basic and smallest unit in the language.
- It is categorised based on its meaning.
- Morphology is the study of Words structure (formation) and Lexical semantics is the study of meanings of the words. These both belong to a branch of Linguistics.
- A word should have at least one root and meaning to it.
Also Read: What is Grammar? | (Grammar definition, types & examples) | Best Guide 2021
If you are interested to learn more, then you can refer wikipedia from here.
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ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD WORD
Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command.
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance.
PRONUNCIATION OF WORD
GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF WORD
Word is a verb and can also act as a noun.
A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc.
The verb is the part of the sentence that is conjugated and expresses action and state of being.
See the conjugation of the verb word in English.
WHAT DOES WORD MEAN IN ENGLISH?
Word
In linguistics, a word is the smallest element that may be uttered in isolation with semantic or pragmatic content. This contrasts with a morpheme, which is the smallest unit of meaning but will not necessarily stand on its own. A word may consist of a single morpheme, or several, whereas a morpheme may not be able to stand on its own as a word. A complex word will typically include a root and one or more affixes, or more than one root in a compound. Words can be put together to build larger elements of language, such as phrases, clauses, and sentences. The term word may refer to a spoken word or to a written word, or sometimes to the abstract concept behind either. Spoken words are made up of units of sound called phonemes, and written words of symbols called graphemes, such as the letters of the English alphabet.
Definition of word in the English dictionary
The first definition of word in the dictionary is 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 related adjective lexical verbal. Other definition of word is an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussion. Word is also an utterance or expression, esp a brief one.
CONJUGATION OF THE VERB TO WORD
PRESENT
Present
I word
you word
he/she/it words
we word
you word
they word
Present continuous
I am wording
you are wording
he/she/it is wording
we are wording
you are wording
they are wording
Present perfect
I have worded
you have worded
he/she/it has worded
we have worded
you have worded
they have worded
Present perfect continuous
I have been wording
you have been wording
he/she/it has been wording
we have been wording
you have been wording
they have been wording
Present tense is used to refer to circumstances that exist at the present time or over a period that includes the present time. The present perfect refers to past events, although it can be considered to denote primarily the resulting present situation rather than the events themselves.
PAST
Past
I worded
you worded
he/she/it worded
we worded
you worded
they worded
Past continuous
I was wording
you were wording
he/she/it was wording
we were wording
you were wording
they were wording
Past perfect
I had worded
you had worded
he/she/it had worded
we had worded
you had worded
they had worded
Past perfect continuous
I had been wording
you had been wording
he/she/it had been wording
we had been wording
you had been wording
they had been wording
Past tense forms express circumstances existing at some time in the past,
FUTURE
Future
I will word
you will word
he/she/it will word
we will word
you will word
they will word
Future continuous
I will be wording
you will be wording
he/she/it will be wording
we will be wording
you will be wording
they will be wording
Future perfect
I will have worded
you will have worded
he/she/it will have worded
we will have worded
you will have worded
they will have worded
Future perfect continuous
I will have been wording
you will have been wording
he/she/it will have been wording
we will have been wording
you will have been wording
they will have been wording
The future is used to express circumstances that will occur at a later time.
CONDITIONAL
Conditional
I would word
you would word
he/she/it would word
we would word
you would word
they would word
Conditional continuous
I would be wording
you would be wording
he/she/it would be wording
we would be wording
you would be wording
they would be wording
Conditional perfect
I would have word
you would have word
he/she/it would have word
we would have word
you would have word
they would have word
Conditional perfect continuous
I would have been wording
you would have been wording
he/she/it would have been wording
we would have been wording
you would have been wording
they would have been wording
Conditional or «future-in-the-past» tense refers to hypothetical or possible actions.
IMPERATIVE
Imperative
you word
we let´s word
you word
The imperative is used to form commands or requests.
NONFINITE VERB FORMS
Present Participle
wording
Infinitive shows the action beyond temporal perspective. The present participle or gerund shows the action during the session. The past participle shows the action after completion.
WORDS THAT RHYME WITH WORD
Synonyms and antonyms of word in the English dictionary of synonyms
SYNONYMS OF «WORD»
The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «word» and belong to the same grammatical category.
Translation of «word» into 25 languages
TRANSLATION OF WORD
Find out the translation of word to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of word from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «word» in English.
Translator English — Chinese
词
1,325 millions of speakers
Translator English — Spanish
palabra
570 millions of speakers
English
word
510 millions of speakers
Translator English — Hindi
शब्द
380 millions of speakers
Translator English — Arabic
كَلِمَة
280 millions of speakers
Translator English — Russian
слово
278 millions of speakers
Translator English — Portuguese
palavra
270 millions of speakers
Translator English — Bengali
শব্দ
260 millions of speakers
Translator English — French
mot
220 millions of speakers
Translator English — Malay
perkataan
190 millions of speakers
Translator English — German
Wort
180 millions of speakers
Translator English — Japanese
単語
130 millions of speakers
Translator English — Korean
단어
85 millions of speakers
Translator English — Javanese
Tembung
85 millions of speakers
Translator English — Vietnamese
từ
80 millions of speakers
Translator English — Tamil
சொல்
75 millions of speakers
Translator English — Marathi
शब्द
75 millions of speakers
Translator English — Turkish
sözcük
70 millions of speakers
Translator English — Italian
parola
65 millions of speakers
Translator English — Polish
słowo
50 millions of speakers
Translator English — Ukrainian
слово
40 millions of speakers
Translator English — Romanian
cuvânt
30 millions of speakers
Translator English — Greek
λέξη
15 millions of speakers
Translator English — Afrikaans
woord
14 millions of speakers
Translator English — Swedish
ord
10 millions of speakers
Translator English — Norwegian
ord
5 millions of speakers
Trends of use of word
TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «WORD»
The term «word» is very widely used and occupies the 884 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
FREQUENCY
Very widely used
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «word» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of word
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «word».
FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «WORD» OVER TIME
The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «word» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «word» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.
Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about word
10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «WORD»
Discover the use of word in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to word and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
But what about feck? Or ferkin? Or foul—as in FUBAR, or «Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition»? In a thoroughly updated edition of The F-Word, Jesse Sheidlower offers a rich, revealing look at the f-bomb and its illimitable uses.
2
Children’s Writer’s Word Book
You’ll find: Lists of specific words that are introduced at seven key reading levels (kindergarten through sixth grade) A thesaurus of those words with synonyms, annotated with reading levels Detailed guidelines for sentence length, word …
«[The Weighty Word Book] will appeal to kids who want to sound as smart as they are.
Paul M. Levitt, Douglas A. Burger, Elissa S. Guralnick, 2009
Exercises designed to develop vocabulary skills present words together with their pronunciations, definitions and use in sentences
5
The Everything Giant Book of Word Searches: Over 300 Puzzles …
Over 300 puzzles for big word search fans!
6
Keyboarding & Word Processing, Complete Course, Lessons 1-120
This comprehensive text provides three semesters of keyboarding and word processing instruction.
Susie VanHuss, Connie Forde, Donna Woo, 2008
Willard Van Orman Quine begins this influential work by declaring, «Language is asocial art.
Willard Van Orman Quine, 2013
8
The Scrabble Word-Building Book: Updated Edition
Using the completely revised and updated The Scrabble® Word-Building Book, you can! This essential strategy guide shows you how to build on your opponents’ words and become a master of this classic game.
9
Word Smart: How to Build an Educated Vocabulary
Provides the definitions of words that are commonly misused or misunderstood and uses them in a sentence, along with a guide for how to memorize words quickly and quick quizzes.
Adam Robinson, Princeton Review, 2012
10
Easy Microsoft Office Word 2003
• •Includes more than 100 hands-on tasks to get the reader up and running with Microsoft Word 11. •Written by an experienced Microsoft Word consultant, trainer, and author. •Each task is designed to teach the easiest, fastest or …
10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «WORD»
Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term word is used in the context of the following news items.
Oxford Dictionary Adds ‘Fo’ Shizzle,’ ‘Masshole’ and ‘Hot Mess’
The precise origin of the word is uncertain, the editors say, but it may be a blend of twist or twitch and jerk. Their definition: “To dance to popular music in a … «TIME, Jun 15»
Microsoft releases Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Android phones …
Microsoft today launched Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Android phones. Previously in preview, the apps have now hit general availability on Google Play … «VentureBeat, Jun 15»
Obama uses N-word, says we are ‘not cured’ of racism
Washington (CNN) President Barack Obama used the n-word during an interview released Monday to make a point that there’s still plenty of room for America to … «CNN, Jun 15»
All the ridiculous words two Indian-American teenagers got right to …
By now, academics are even working on theories to explain … «Quartz, May 15»
Go Forth And Pwn For Shizzle, Word List Guardians Tell Scrabble …
A new batch of 6,500 words are now available to Scrabble players, after publishing house Collins updated its widely used Official Scrabble Words list Thursday. «NPR, May 15»
Microsoft releases Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Android tablets …
Microsoft today launched Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Android tablets. Previously in preview, the apps have now hit general availability on Google Play: … «VentureBeat, Jan 15»
Merriam-Webster Announces Its Word of the Year
That is Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2014. If it sounds awfully broad, that is because the editors based in Springfield, Mass., rely more on hard data … «TIME, Dec 14»
Oxford names ‘vape’ 2014 Word of the Year
The Oxford Dictionaries named «vape» 2014’s Word of the Year. Oxford defines the verb as «to inhale and exhale the vapour produced by an electronic cigarette … «USA TODAY, Nov 14»
Microsoft Word mobile app shoots to top of Apple’s charts
Word is not alone. Microsoft made Excel and PowerPoint, available as free, individual apps for the iPhone on Thursday — just as they had been for the iPad. «CNET, Nov 14»
Now You Can Use The Word ‘Selfie’ in Scrabble
Those words, among more than 5,000 others, are included in the Fifth Edition of The Official SCRABBLE Player’s Dictionary, put out by American dictionary … «TIME, Aug 14»
REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Word [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/word>. Apr 2023 ».
Download the educalingo app
Discover all that is hidden in the words on 
In traditional grammar, word is the basic unit of language.A word refers to a speech sound, or a mixture of two or more speech sounds in both written and verbal form of language. A word works as a symbol to represent/refer to something/someone in language to communicate a specific meaning.
Contents
- 1 What is word and its example?
- 2 What is word and its types?
- 3 What is word linguistics?
- 4 What is the meaning of word?
- 5 What are words called?
- 6 What is word in language?
- 7 What is a word class in grammar?
- 8 Why do we define words?
- 9 Why do we say word?
- 10 What is morpheme and word?
- 11 What is word Slideshare?
- 12 Is word a noun or verb?
- 13 What are the parts of a word?
- 14 What is word Wikipedia?
- 15 What type of word is there?
- 16 What is word boundaries?
- 17 What is called sentence?
- 18 Is your name a word?
- 19 What are the 4 main word classes?
- 20 What is word class in syntax?
What is word and its example?
The definition of a word is a letter or group of letters that has meaning when spoken or written. An example of a word is dog.An example of words are the seventeen sets of letters that are written to form this sentence.
What is word and its types?
There are eight types of words that are often referred to as ‘word classes’ or ‘parts of speech’ and are commonly distinguished in English: nouns, determiners, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions.These are the different types of words in the English language.
What is word linguistics?
In linguistics, a word of a spoken language can be defined as the smallest sequence of phonemes that can be uttered in isolation with objective or practical meaning.In many languages, the notion of what constitutes a “word” may be learned as part of learning the writing system.
What is the meaning of word?
1 : a sound or combination of sounds that has meaning and is spoken by a human being. 2 : a written or printed letter or letters standing for a spoken word. 3 : a brief remark or conversation I’d like a word with you.
What are words called?
All words belong to categories called word classes (or parts of speech) according to the part they play in a sentence. The main word classes in English are listed below. Noun. Verb. Adjective.
What is word in language?
A word is a speech sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or a combination of morphemes. The branch of linguistics that studies word structures is called morphology.
A word class is a group of words that have the same basic behaviour, for example nouns, adjectives, or verbs.
Why do we define words?
The definition of definition is “a statement expressing the essential nature of something.” At least that’s one way Webster defines the word.Because definitions enable us to have a common understanding of a word or subject; they allow us to all be on the same page when discussing or reading about an issue.
Why do we say word?
‘Word’ in slang is a word one would use to indicate acknowledgement, approval, recognition or affirmation, of something somebody else just said.
What is morpheme and word?
Word vs Morpheme
A morpheme is usually considered as the smallest element of a word or else a grammar element, whereas a word is a complete meaningful element of language.
What is word Slideshare?
•“A word’ is a free morpheme or a combination of morphemes that together form a basic segment of speech” .
Is word a noun or verb?
word used as a noun:
A distinct unit of language (sounds in speech or written letters) with a particular meaning, composed of one or more morphemes, and also of one or more phonemes that determine its sound pattern. A distinct unit of language which is approved by some authority.
What are the parts of a word?
The parts of a word are called morphemes. These include suffixes, prefixes and root words. Take the word ‘microbiology,’ for example.
What is word Wikipedia?
A word is something spoken by the mouth, that can be pronounced. In alphabetic writing, it is a collection of letters used together to communicate a meaning. These can also usually be pronounced.Some words have different pronunciation, for example, ‘wind’ (the noun) and ‘wind’ (the verb) are pronounced differently.
What type of word is there?
The word “there” have multiple functions. In verbal and written English, the word can be used as an adverb, a pronoun, a noun, an interjection, or an adjective. This word is classified as an adverb if it is used to modify a verb in the sentence.
What is word boundaries?
A word boundary is a zero-width test between two characters. To pass the test, there must be a word character on one side, and a non-word character on the other side. It does not matter which side each character appears on, but there must be one of each.
What is called sentence?
A sentence is a set of words that are put together to mean something. A sentence is the basic unit of language which expresses a complete thought. It does this by following the grammatical basic rules of syntax.A complete sentence has at least a subject and a main verb to state (declare) a complete thought.
Is your name a word?
Yes, names are words. Specifically, they are proper nouns: they refer to specific people, places, or things. “John” is a proper noun; “ground” is a common noun. But both are words.
What are the 4 main word classes?
There are four major word classes: verb, noun, adjective, adverb.
What is word class in syntax?
In English grammar, a word class is a set of words that display the same formal properties, especially their inflections and distribution.It is also variously called grammatical category, lexical category, and syntactic category (although these terms are not wholly or universally synonymous).
n
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
Related adj →
lexical →
verbal
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 ♦
as good as one’s word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do
12 ♦
by word of mouth orally rather than by written means
13 ♦
in a word briefly or in short
a an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.
b (Austral) an exclamation of agreement
15 ♦
of one’s word given to or noted for keeping one’s promises
I am a man of my word
16 ♦
put in a word or good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend
17 ♦
take someone at his or her word 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 ♦
take someone’s word for it to accept or believe what someone says
a the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp. a remark that supposedly settles an issue
b the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model
the last word in bikinis
c the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc.)
the last word in luxury
20 ♦
the word the proper or most fitting expression
cold is not the word for it, it’s freezing!
b an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.
a (of a report, transcription, etc.) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
b translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense
23 ♦
word of honour a promise; oath
24 modifier of, relating to, or consisting of words
a word list
vb
25 tr to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase
26 tr; often foll by: up (Austral)
informal to inform or advise (a person), (See also)
→
words
(Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command)
boo-word
n any word that seems to cause irrational fear
«communism» became a boo-word in the McCarthy era
buzz word
n
Informal a word, often originating in a particular jargon, that becomes a vogue word in the community as a whole or among a particular group
content word
n a word to which an independent meaning can be given by reference to a world outside any sentence in which the word may occur
Compare →
function word →
lexical meaning
four-letter word
n any of several short English words referring to sex or excrement: often used as swearwords and regarded generally as offensive or obscene
function word
n (Grammar) a word, such as the, with a particular grammatical role but little identifiable meaning
Compare →
content word →
grammatical meaning
f-word
n
♦
the. sometimes cap a euphemistic way of referring to the word →
fuck
(from f(uck) + word)
ghost word
n a word that has entered the language through the perpetuation, in dictionaries, etc., of an error
loan word
n a word adopted, often with some modification of its form, from one language into another
nonce word
n a word coined for a single occasion
portmanteau word
n another name for →
blend →
7
(C19: from the idea that two meanings are packed into one word)
reserved word
n a word in a programming language or computer system that has a fixed meaning and therefore cannot be redefined by a programmer
Word
n
♦
the
1 (Christianity) the 2nd person of the Trinity
2 Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelation, (Often called)
the Word of God
(translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1)
-word
n 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
the C-word, meaning cancer
word association
n an early method of psychoanalysis in which the patient thinks of the first word that comes into consciousness on hearing a given word. In this way it was claimed that aspects of the unconscious could be revealed before defence mechanisms intervene
word blindness
n the nontechnical name for alexia and dyslexia
♦
word-blind adj
word class
n (Linguistics) a form class in which the members are words
See →
part of speech
word deafness
n loss of ability to understand spoken words, esp. as the result of a cerebral lesion, (Also called)
auditory aphasia
♦
word-deaf adj
word game
n any game involving the formation, discovery, or alteration of a word or words
word order
n the arrangement of words in a phrase, clause, or sentence. In many languages, including English, word order plays an important part in determining meanings expressed in other languages by inflections
word-perfect , (U.S.) letter-perfect
adj
1 correct in every detail
2 (of a speech, part in a play, etc.) memorized perfectly
3 (of a speaker, actor, etc.) knowing one’s speech, role, etc., perfectly
word picture
n a verbal description, esp. a vivid one
word processing
n the composition of documents using a computer system to input, edit, store, and print them
word processor
n
a a computer program that performs word processing
b a computer system designed for word processing
word square
n a puzzle in which the player must fill a square grid with words that read the same across as down
word stress
n the stress accent on the syllables of individual words either in a sentence or in isolation
word wrapping
n (Computing) the automatic shifting of a word at the end of a line to a new line in order to keep within preset margins
English Collins Dictionary — English Definition & Thesaurus 
Word
n
♦
the
1 (Christianity) the 2nd person of the Trinity
2 Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelation, (Often called)
the Word of God
(translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1)
boo-word
n any word that seems to cause irrational fear
«communism» became a boo-word in the McCarthy era
buzz word
n
Informal a word, often originating in a particular jargon, that becomes a vogue word in the community as a whole or among a particular group
content word
n a word to which an independent meaning can be given by reference to a world outside any sentence in which the word may occur
Compare →
function word →
lexical meaning
four-letter word
n any of several short English words referring to sex or excrement: often used as swearwords and regarded generally as offensive or obscene
function word
n (Grammar) a word, such as the, with a particular grammatical role but little identifiable meaning
Compare →
content word →
grammatical meaning
f-word
n
♦
the. sometimes cap a euphemistic way of referring to the word →
fuck
(from f(uck) + word)
ghost word
n a word that has entered the language through the perpetuation, in dictionaries, etc., of an error
loan word
n a word adopted, often with some modification of its form, from one language into another
nonce word
n a word coined for a single occasion
portmanteau word
n another name for →
blend →
7
(C19: from the idea that two meanings are packed into one word)
reserved word
n a word in a programming language or computer system that has a fixed meaning and therefore cannot be redefined by a programmer
word
n
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
Related adj →
lexical →
verbal
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 ♦
as good as one’s word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do
12 ♦
by word of mouth orally rather than by written means
13 ♦
in a word briefly or in short
a an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.
b (Austral) an exclamation of agreement
15 ♦
of one’s word given to or noted for keeping one’s promises
I am a man of my word
16 ♦
put in a word or good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend
17 ♦
take someone at his or her word 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 ♦
take someone’s word for it to accept or believe what someone says
a the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp. a remark that supposedly settles an issue
b the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model
the last word in bikinis
c the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc.)
the last word in luxury
20 ♦
the word the proper or most fitting expression
cold is not the word for it, it’s freezing!
b an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.
a (of a report, transcription, etc.) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
b translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense
23 ♦
word of honour a promise; oath
24 modifier of, relating to, or consisting of words
a word list
vb
25 tr to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase
26 tr; often foll by: up (Austral)
informal to inform or advise (a person), (See also)
→
words
(Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command)
-word
n 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
the C-word, meaning cancer
word association
n an early method of psychoanalysis in which the patient thinks of the first word that comes into consciousness on hearing a given word. In this way it was claimed that aspects of the unconscious could be revealed before defence mechanisms intervene
word blindness
n the nontechnical name for alexia and dyslexia
♦
word-blind adj
word class
n (Linguistics) a form class in which the members are words
See →
part of speech
word deafness
n loss of ability to understand spoken words, esp. as the result of a cerebral lesion, (Also called)
auditory aphasia
♦
word-deaf adj
word game
n any game involving the formation, discovery, or alteration of a word or words
word order
n the arrangement of words in a phrase, clause, or sentence. In many languages, including English, word order plays an important part in determining meanings expressed in other languages by inflections
word-perfect , (U.S.) letter-perfect
adj
1 correct in every detail
2 (of a speech, part in a play, etc.) memorized perfectly
3 (of a speaker, actor, etc.) knowing one’s speech, role, etc., perfectly
word picture
n a verbal description, esp. a vivid one
word processing
n the composition of documents using a computer system to input, edit, store, and print them
word processor
n
a a computer program that performs word processing
b a computer system designed for word processing
word square
n a puzzle in which the player must fill a square grid with words that read the same across as down
word stress
n the stress accent on the syllables of individual words either in a sentence or in isolation
word wrapping
n (Computing) the automatic shifting of a word at the end of a line to a new line in order to keep within preset margins
English Collins Dictionary — English Definition & Thesaurus
household name , word
n a person or thing that is very well known
boo-word
n any word that seems to cause irrational fear
«communism» became a boo-word in the McCarthy era
buzz word
n
Informal a word, often originating in a particular jargon, that becomes a vogue word in the community as a whole or among a particular group
content word
n a word to which an independent meaning can be given by reference to a world outside any sentence in which the word may occur
Compare →
function word →
lexical meaning
four-letter word
n any of several short English words referring to sex or excrement: often used as swearwords and regarded generally as offensive or obscene
function word
n (Grammar) a word, such as the, with a particular grammatical role but little identifiable meaning
Compare →
content word →
grammatical meaning
f-word
n
♦
the. sometimes cap a euphemistic way of referring to the word →
fuck
(from f(uck) + word)
ghost word
n a word that has entered the language through the perpetuation, in dictionaries, etc., of an error
loan word
n a word adopted, often with some modification of its form, from one language into another
nonce word
n a word coined for a single occasion
portmanteau word
n another name for →
blend →
7
(C19: from the idea that two meanings are packed into one word)
reserved word
n a word in a programming language or computer system that has a fixed meaning and therefore cannot be redefined by a programmer
word
n
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
Related adj →
lexical →
verbal
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 ♦
as good as one’s word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do
12 ♦
by word of mouth orally rather than by written means
13 ♦
in a word briefly or in short
a an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.
b (Austral) an exclamation of agreement
15 ♦
of one’s word given to or noted for keeping one’s promises
I am a man of my word
16 ♦
put in a word or good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend
17 ♦
take someone at his or her word 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 ♦
take someone’s word for it to accept or believe what someone says
a the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp. a remark that supposedly settles an issue
b the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model
the last word in bikinis
c the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc.)
the last word in luxury
20 ♦
the word the proper or most fitting expression
cold is not the word for it, it’s freezing!
b an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.
a (of a report, transcription, etc.) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
b translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense
23 ♦
word of honour a promise; oath
24 modifier of, relating to, or consisting of words
a word list
vb
25 tr to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase
26 tr; often foll by: up (Austral)
informal to inform or advise (a person), (See also)
→
words
(Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command)
Word
n
♦
the
1 (Christianity) the 2nd person of the Trinity
2 Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelation, (Often called)
the Word of God
(translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1)
-word
n 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
the C-word, meaning cancer
word association
n an early method of psychoanalysis in which the patient thinks of the first word that comes into consciousness on hearing a given word. In this way it was claimed that aspects of the unconscious could be revealed before defence mechanisms intervene
word blindness
n the nontechnical name for alexia and dyslexia
♦
word-blind adj
word class
n (Linguistics) a form class in which the members are words
See →
part of speech
word deafness
n loss of ability to understand spoken words, esp. as the result of a cerebral lesion, (Also called)
auditory aphasia
♦
word-deaf adj
word game
n any game involving the formation, discovery, or alteration of a word or words
word order
n the arrangement of words in a phrase, clause, or sentence. In many languages, including English, word order plays an important part in determining meanings expressed in other languages by inflections
word-perfect , (U.S.) letter-perfect
adj
1 correct in every detail
2 (of a speech, part in a play, etc.) memorized perfectly
3 (of a speaker, actor, etc.) knowing one’s speech, role, etc., perfectly
word picture
n a verbal description, esp. a vivid one
word processing
n the composition of documents using a computer system to input, edit, store, and print them
word processor
n
a a computer program that performs word processing
b a computer system designed for word processing
word square
n a puzzle in which the player must fill a square grid with words that read the same across as down
word stress
n the stress accent on the syllables of individual words either in a sentence or in isolation
word wrapping
n (Computing) the automatic shifting of a word at the end of a line to a new line in order to keep within preset margins
English Collins Dictionary — English Definition & Thesaurus
Inner Light , Word
n (Quakerism) the presence and inner working of God in the soul acting as a guiding spirit that is superior even to Scripture and unites man to Christ
boo-word
n any word that seems to cause irrational fear
«communism» became a boo-word in the McCarthy era
buzz word
n
Informal a word, often originating in a particular jargon, that becomes a vogue word in the community as a whole or among a particular group
content word
n a word to which an independent meaning can be given by reference to a world outside any sentence in which the word may occur
Compare →
function word →
lexical meaning
four-letter word
n any of several short English words referring to sex or excrement: often used as swearwords and regarded generally as offensive or obscene
function word
n (Grammar) a word, such as the, with a particular grammatical role but little identifiable meaning
Compare →
content word →
grammatical meaning
f-word
n
♦
the. sometimes cap a euphemistic way of referring to the word →
fuck
(from f(uck) + word)
ghost word
n a word that has entered the language through the perpetuation, in dictionaries, etc., of an error
loan word
n a word adopted, often with some modification of its form, from one language into another
nonce word
n a word coined for a single occasion
portmanteau word
n another name for →
blend →
7
(C19: from the idea that two meanings are packed into one word)
reserved word
n a word in a programming language or computer system that has a fixed meaning and therefore cannot be redefined by a programmer
word
n
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
Related adj →
lexical →
verbal
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 ♦
as good as one’s word doing what one has undertaken or promised to do
12 ♦
by word of mouth orally rather than by written means
13 ♦
in a word briefly or in short
a an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.
b (Austral) an exclamation of agreement
15 ♦
of one’s word given to or noted for keeping one’s promises
I am a man of my word
16 ♦
put in a word or good word for to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend
17 ♦
take someone at his or her word 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 ♦
take someone’s word for it to accept or believe what someone says
a the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp. a remark that supposedly settles an issue
b the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model
the last word in bikinis
c the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc.)
the last word in luxury
20 ♦
the word the proper or most fitting expression
cold is not the word for it, it’s freezing!
b an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc.
a (of a report, transcription, etc.) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
b translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense
23 ♦
word of honour a promise; oath
24 modifier of, relating to, or consisting of words
a word list
vb
25 tr to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase
26 tr; often foll by: up (Austral)
informal to inform or advise (a person), (See also)
→
words
(Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command)
Word
n
♦
the
1 (Christianity) the 2nd person of the Trinity
2 Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelation, (Often called)
the Word of God
(translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1)
-word
n 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
the C-word, meaning cancer
word association
n an early method of psychoanalysis in which the patient thinks of the first word that comes into consciousness on hearing a given word. In this way it was claimed that aspects of the unconscious could be revealed before defence mechanisms intervene
word blindness
n the nontechnical name for alexia and dyslexia
♦
word-blind adj
word class
n (Linguistics) a form class in which the members are words
See →
part of speech
word deafness
n loss of ability to understand spoken words, esp. as the result of a cerebral lesion, (Also called)
auditory aphasia
♦
word-deaf adj
word game
n any game involving the formation, discovery, or alteration of a word or words
word order
n the arrangement of words in a phrase, clause, or sentence. In many languages, including English, word order plays an important part in determining meanings expressed in other languages by inflections
word-perfect , (U.S.) letter-perfect
adj
1 correct in every detail
2 (of a speech, part in a play, etc.) memorized perfectly
3 (of a speaker, actor, etc.) knowing one’s speech, role, etc., perfectly
word picture
n a verbal description, esp. a vivid one
word processing
n the composition of documents using a computer system to input, edit, store, and print them
word processor
n
a a computer program that performs word processing
b a computer system designed for word processing
word square
n a puzzle in which the player must fill a square grid with words that read the same across as down
word stress
n the stress accent on the syllables of individual words either in a sentence or in isolation
word wrapping
n (Computing) the automatic shifting of a word at the end of a line to a new line in order to keep within preset margins
English Collins Dictionary — English Definition & Thesaurus
word
n
1 brief conversation, chat, chitchat, colloquy, confab (informal) confabulation, consultation, discussion, talk, tête-à-tête
2 brief statement, comment, declaration, expression, remark, utterance
3 expression, locution, name, term, vocable
4 account, advice, bulletin, communication, communiqué, dispatch, gen (Brit. informal) information, intelligence, intimation, latest (informal) message, news, notice, report, tidings
5 command, go-ahead (informal) green light, order, signal
6 affirmation, assertion, assurance, guarantee, oath, parole, pledge, promise, solemn oath, solemn word, undertaking, vow, word of honour
7 bidding, command, commandment, decree, edict, mandate, order, ukase (rare) will
8 countersign, password, slogan, watchword
9 in a word briefly, concisely, in a nutshell, in short, succinctly, to put it briefly, to sum up
vb
10 couch, express, phrase, put, say, state, utter
last word, the
1 final say, finis, mother (of all), summation, ultimatum
2 best, cream, crème de la crème, crown, epitome, ne plus ultra, perfection, quintessence, ultimate
3 dernier cri, fashion, latest, newest, rage, vogue
English Collins Dictionary — English synonyms & Thesaurus
portmanteau word
n.
a new word formed by joining together two others and combining their meanings.
Examples: brunch, camcorder, carjack, motel, greenwash, smog, workaholic.
Additional comments:
Collaborative Dictionary English Definition
|
sound out (a word) |
v. |
to say, pronounce, speak |
ex.: The child sounded out each word out loud as she read her book. |
|
|
the f-word |
n. |
euphemism referring to the word «fuck» |
||
|
the n-word |
n. |
euphemism referring to the taboo word «nigger» |
||
|
the c-word |
n. |
euphemism used to refer to the taboo word «cunt» |
||
|
smackeroo |
n. |
colloquial word for a dollar |
||
|
charver |
n. |
charver is another word for chav |
If you lived in Newcastle you would know it. Common in NE England |
|
|
! Momasita |
n. |
An endearing word for mom. |
||
|
! kerned yoghourt
|
v. |
kerned is a Somerset word meaning ‘thickened’ |
||
|
ship |
n. |
An abbreviation of the word ‘relationship.’ The word describes fans’ approval of fictional or desired romances between characters or pop culture figures. |
Example: I totally ship Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. |
|
|
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis |
n. |
artificial long word coined to mean a lung disease known as silicosis, a type of pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of ultra-microscopic particles of crystalline silica volcanic dust. It has the particularity of being the longest word in the English language published in a dictionary |
Longer tech. terms exist (up to 189,819 letters!).The word, presumably coined in 1935 by E.M. Smith (pres. of the National Puzzlers’League) in imitation of very long medical terms, contains 45 letters |
|
|
bung |
n. |
a colloquial word meaning a bribe: policemen accepting bungs from journalists |
||
|
F-bomb |
n. |
Used as an euphemism for replacing the word ‘fuck’, with reference to the latter’s taboo status and potential to shock or offend |
[informal] Ex: Known for her banters and taste for swearing, the down-to-earth and much loved popstar was nonetheless warned to avoid dropping the F-bomb during the broadcast live ceremony |
|
|
craption |
n. |
word created with «crap» and «caption» to mean a bad quality caption |
[Fam.];[Fig.] |
|
|
employerism |
n. |
a portmanteau of ’employer’ and ‘voyeurism’. signifies the act of searching for an employer or the practice of an employer when looking to fill positions. The term places an emphasis on the secretive connotation of the word ‘voyeur’, denoting a clandestine and thus superior form of employment search |
[Tech.] Ex.: Employerism is what one must engage in, if one wishes to embark upon a more productive job hunt! |
|
|
grawlix |
n. |
string of symbols used instead of an obscene word (ex.: #!@*) |
||
|
Lesewut |
n. |
Lesewut is a German word for «reading craze» (literally) used to describe a specific period in the intellectual history of Germany from the late eighteenth century onward. |
||
|
gazunder |
n. |
a humorous and old-fashioned word that means a chamber pot |
Comes from the fact that the chamber pot ‘gazunder’ (= goes under) the bed |
|
|
! automagically |
adv. |
Supernaturally performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; a portmanteau word formed from «automatically» and «magically» |
Wherever he went, flowers automagically materialized in the hands of all nearby women. |
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