write

verb

ˈrīt 

wrote ˈrōt  ; written ˈri-tᵊn  also writ ˈrit  or dialectal wrote; writing ˈrī-tiŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to form (characters, symbols, etc.) by or as if by marking on a surface

write the alphabet

b

: to form (words) by or as if by marking characters or symbols on a surface

write one's name

c

: to spell in writing

words written alike but pronounced differently

d

: to cover, fill, or fill in by writing

wrote ten pages

write a check

2

: to set down in writing: such as

a

: draw up, draft

write a will

b(1)

: to be the author of : compose

writes poems and essays

(2)

: to compose in musical form

write a string quartet

c

: to express in literary form

If I could write the beauty of your eyes …

—William Shakespeare

d

: to communicate by letter

writes that they are coming

e

: to use or exhibit (a specific script, language, or literary form or style) in writing

write braille

writes French with ease

f

: to write contracts or orders for

especially : underwrite

write life insurance

3

: to make a permanent impression of

4

: to communicate with in writing

we'll write you when we get there

5

: ordain, fate

So be it; it is written.

—D. C. Peattie

6

: to make evident or obvious

guilt written on his face

7

: to force, effect, introduce, or remove by writing

… write oneself into fame and fortune.

—Charles Lee

8

: to take part in or bring about (something worth recording)

9

a

: to introduce (information) into the storage device or medium of a computer

b

: to transfer (information) from the main memory of a computer to a storage or output device

10

: sell

write a stock option

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make significant characters or inscriptions

also : to permit or be adapted to writing

b

: to form or produce written letters, words, or sentences

2

: to compose, communicate by, or send a letter

3

a

: to produce a written work

b

: to compose music

see also write one's own ticket, writ large, writ small

Synonyms of write

• pen
• author
• compose

Examples of write in a Sentence

children learning to read and write

I don't have anything to write with. Could I borrow a pen?

Please write your name at the top of each sheet.

Write the number as a decimal instead of as a fraction.

She wrote “tag sale” on the sign in big letters.

The note was written in blue ink.

I mistakenly wrote her name as “Gene” instead of “Jean.”

She wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime.

She wrote an essay comparing two poems.

I'm writing an article for the school newspaper.

Recent Examples on the Web

All seven still perform as a family from time to time, but Konya has pivoted, devoting herself to writing fiction. —Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

Up next, a look at the real -- the real state of the economy, and the guy who just wrote the best-selling book about the stock market crash of 1929. —ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025

Everyone has their favorite formats, but Catherine Hong, who writes about children's books as @mrslittlebooks on Instagram, recommends finding the out-of-print edition illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa. —Caylin Harris, Parents, 21 Dec. 2025

Zimmerman was already dealing with health difficulties due to his brain tumor, Kiera wrote, and the assault has partially exacerbated some of his issues, including an eye injury. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English wrītan to scratch, draw, inscribe; akin to Old High German rīzan to tear and perhaps to Greek rhinē file, rasp

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing write

• co-write
• nothing to write home about
• write back
• write down
• write in
• write into
• write off
• write off for (something)
• write out
• write (someone) out of
• write up

Rhymes for write

• bight
• bite
• blight
• byte
• cite
• dight
• fight
• fite
• flight
• fright
• height
• hight

Kids Definition

write

verb

ˈrīt 

wrote ˈrōt  ; written ˈrit-ᵊn  also writ ˈrit  ; writing ˈrīt-iŋ 

1

: to form letters or words on a surface with an instrument (as a pen or pencil)

learn to read and write

2

: to form the letters or the words of (as on paper)

write your name

write a check

3

: to spell in writing

words written alike but pronounced differently

4

: to express in writing

write what you felt about the experience

5

a

: to make up and set down for others to read

write a book

b

: to compose music

6

: to write a letter to

write your senator

7

: to communicate by letter

writes that they are coming

8

: to transfer information in a computer to a storage area or output device