unwritten

adjective

un·​writ·​ten ˌən-ˈri-tᵊn 

1

: not expressed in writing : oral, traditional

an unwritten rule

2

: containing no writing : blank

Synonyms

• 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

By breaking the unwritten rule of playing with another person’s tarot cards, each of the friends are stalked by ancient astrologer who bound her soul to the deck bu physically manifesting herself as the ghoulish characters pictured on the cards they were dealt. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

As the two worked on a laptop, the harmonies and unwritten connective tissue seemed to return to Wilson, Sahanaja said. —Steve Marble, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025

And the good news is that the rest of his story remains unwritten. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 May 2025

There are unwritten rules for some young law clerks who go to work for federal judges. —Carrie Johnson, NPR, 9 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unwritten

• unwritten constitution
• unwritten law

Rhymes for unwritten

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

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