unwritten

adjective

un·​writ·​ten ˌən-ˈri-tᵊn 

1

: not expressed in writing : oral, traditional

an unwritten rule

2

: containing no writing : blank

Synonyms of unwritten

• oral
• verbal
• spoken

Examples of unwritten in a Sentence

They had an unwritten agreement.

an unwritten contract may not be enforceable

Recent Examples on the Web

Define where experimentation is acceptable, where human review is mandatory and where AI use is inappropriate, and remember that your personal AI habits will become part of the organization’s unwritten AI policy. — Duane Tursi, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Such a challenge almost never leads to a penalty in the Premier League, where the unwritten rule is that the attacker simply needs to be stronger. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Despite the rainy day, all three were clad in brown suede fall-ready shoes to complete their formal ensembles, and the familial coordination drew attention to the unwritten dress code of the British monarchy. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

The rules of baseball, both written and unwritten, have evolved over time, with customs changing across generations, clubs, competition levels, and countries. — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unwritten

• unwritten constitution
• unwritten law
• unwritten/unspoken rule

Rhymes for unwritten

• handwritten
• honiton
• rewritten
• typewritten
• bitten
• briton
• chiton
• gittin
• kitten
• mitten
• smitten
• whitten

Kids Definition

unwritten

adjective

un·​writ·​ten ˌən-ˈrit-ᵊn 

ˈən-

1

: not put in writing : oral, traditional

an unwritten law

2

: containing no writing : blank

unwritten pages