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).
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 is usually a speech sound or mixture of it. Is it true or false?
#2. A group of words can make a ___________.
letters
letters
none
none
words
words
sentence
sentence
Answer: A group of words can make a sentence.
#3. Morphology is a branch of ___________.
Linguistics
Linguistics
Phonology
Phonology
Semantics
Semantics
none
none
Answer: Morphology is a branch of Linguistics.
#4. A word can be ____________.
an adjective
an adjective
all of the above
all of the above
a verb
a verb
a noun
a noun
Answer: A word can be a noun, verb, adjective, preposition, etc.
#5. The structure of words can be studied with ___________.
none
none
both
both
Morphology
Morphology
Lexical semantics
Lexical semantics
Answer: The structure of words can be studied with Morphology.
#6. Is cat a word? State true or false.
Answer: “Cat” is a word.
#7. A word is a _____________.
group of paragraphs
group of paragraphs
group of letters
group of letters
All of the above
All of the above
group of sentences
group of sentences
Answer: A word is a group of letters which delivers a message or an idea.
#8. A root word is a word that _____________.
both
both
cannot be divided further
cannot be divided further
none
none
can be divided further
can be divided further
Answer: A root word is a word that cannot be divided further.
#9. The meaning of words can be studied with ___________.
Morphology
Morphology
none
none
Lexical semantics
Lexical semantics
both
both
Answer: The meaning of the words can be studied with Lexical semantics.
#10. The word is the largest unit in the language. Is it true or false?
Results
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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.
I hope that you understood the topic “What is a word?”. If you still have any doubts, then comment down below and we will respond as soon as possible. Thank You.
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.».
ZoneCreative S.r.l./Getty Images
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
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
Tennessee passed a bill that is seen as possibly banning most drag performances in the state, although a federal judge temporarily blocked it last week on the basis that it was too vaguely worded to draw boundaries.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 6 Apr. 2023
On Thursday, the meeting in New Delhi of the foreign ministers of the Group of 20, representing the world’s largest economies, failed to release a joint agreement due to opposition from China and Russia on wording about the Ukraine war.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023
Despite the changes, top Democrat in the Arkansas House said the bill was worded too vaguely.
—Fox News, 25 Feb. 2023
What that percentage is will need to be calculated on a basis aligned with the nature of the product, the nature of the generative AI app, and the nature of how the product placement is worded.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 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
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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.
- Top Definitions
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- Quiz
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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
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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.
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In this example, I went with the word “shoes” as this is a product listing for shoes.
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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.
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Think of good synonyms or words connected to the brand, without compromising your Google ranking.
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If you mouse over the word, you’ll see original English word.
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This is acting in every sense of the word—bringing an unevolved animal to life and making it utterly believable.
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She vowed to repay the money—no official word, however, on whether she ever did that.
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But news of the classes is spread mainly by word of mouth, and participants bring along their friends and families.
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Still other people have moved away from the word “diet” altogether.
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Back in Iran, he once got word that the Iranians were going to raid a village where his men were stationed.
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Not a word now,” cried Longcluse harshly, extending his hand quickly towards him; “I may do that which can’t be undone.
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Every word that now fell from the agitated Empress was balm to the affrighted nerves of her daughter.
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When we were mounted Mac leaned over and muttered an admonitory word for Piegan’s ear alone.
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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.
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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.