Word definition english dictionary

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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

20. the word the proper or most fitting expression: cold is not the word for it, it’s freezing!.

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)

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

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.

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.

See Also: SPEAKING; WORDS, DEFINED; WORDS, EFFECT OF; WORDS OF PRAISE; WRITERS/WRITING

1. Applying words like bandages —William Mcllvanney
2. 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
3. Words, like Nature, half reveal and half conceal the Soul within —Alfred, Lord Tennyson
4. Her words still hung in the air between us like a whisp of tobacco smoke —Evelyn Waugh
5. It is with words as with sunbeams, the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn —Robert Southey
6. Words, like men, grow an individuality; their character changes with years and with use —Anon
7. Words, like fine flowers, have their color too —Ernest Rhys
8. Words, like clothes, get old-fashioned, or mean and ridiculous, when they have been for some time laid aside —William Hazlitt
9. Words, like fashions, disappear and recur throughout English history —Virginia Graham
10. The word seemed to linger in the air, to throb in the air like the note of a violin —Katherine Mansfield
11. Her words at first seemed fitful like the talking of the trees —Dante Gabriel Rossetti
12. (She spoke to them slowly,) dropping the words like ping pong balls —Helen Hudson
13. Every word hanging like the sack of cement on a murdered body at the bottom of the river —Diane Wakoski
14. 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
15. His words were smoother than oil (and yet be they swords) —The Book of Common Prayer
16. It is as easy to draw back a stone thrown from the hand, as to recall a word once spoken —Menander
17. Like blood from a cut vein, words flowed —James Morrow
18. My words slipped from me like broken weapons —Edith Wharton
19. An old sentence … ran through her mind like a frightened mouse in a maze —Babs H. Deal
20. The rest [words meant to remain unspoken] rolled out like string from a hidden ball of twine —Lynne Sharon Schwartz
21. The sentence rang over and over again in his mind like a dirge —Margaret Millar
22. Stiff as frozen rope words poke out —Marge Piercy
23. 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
24. The word hissed like steam escaping from an overloaded pressure system —Ross Macdonald
25. A word once spoken, like an arrow shot, can never be retracted —Anon

    This simile was first used by Talmudic rabbis

26. Words as meaningless and wonderful as wind chimes —Sharon Sheehe Stark
27. The words came out like bullets —H. E. Bates
28. Words came out … tumbling like a litter of puppies from a kennel —F. van Wyck Mason
29. The words crumbled in his mouth like ashes —William Diehl
30. Words … danced in my mind like wild ponies that moved only to my command —Hortense Calisher
31. Words falling softly as rose petals —Mary Hedin
32. Words, frothy and toneless like a chain of bursting bubbles —L. P. Hartley
33. Words gushing and tumbling as if a hose had been turned on —Rose Tremain
34. Words gush like toothpaste —Margaret Atwood
35. The words [just spoken] hung like smoke in the air —Doris Grumbach
36. Words … like bits of cold wind —Mary Hedin
37. (She dealt her) words like blades —Emily Dickinson
38. Words, like butterflies, stagger from his lips —John Updike
39. Words, like glass, obscure when they do not aid vision —Joseph Joubet
40. 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.

41. The word spiralled through the silence like a worm in wood —Harris Downey
42. 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
43. Words … plunked down with a click like chessmen —Yehuda Amichai
44. Words … poured wetly from her red lips as from a pitcher —Lynne Sharon Schwartz
45. The words rang in the silence like the sound of a great cash register —Kingsley Amis
46. Words ran together too quickly, like rapid water —Joanna Wojewski Higgins
47. 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
48. Words that string and creep like insects —Conrad Aiken
49. Words … tumbling out and tripping over each other like mice —Susan Fromberg Schaeffer
50. The words went by like flights of moths under the star-soaked sky —Adrienne Rich
51. Words … white and anonymous as a snowball —Donald McCaig

    See Also: WHITE

52. (If he once … let loose … the) words would come like a great flood, like vomiting —George Garrett
53. Your words to the end, hard as a pair of new cowboy boots —A. D. Winans

    See Also: TOUGHNESS