unwritten

adjective un·writ·ten \ ˌən-ˈri-tᵊn \

Definition of unwritten

1 :not expressed in writing :oral, traditional

an unwritten rule

2 :containing no writing :blank

See unwritten defined for English-language learners

See unwritten defined for kids

Examples of unwritten in a Sentence

They had an unwritten agreement.
an unwritten contract may not be enforceable

Recent Examples of unwritten from the Web

Since the beginning, one of Fiskars's essential but unwritten rules has been that not just any artist or designer could settle here.

— gisela williams, Smithsonian, "How This Tiny Town Drew World-Class Artists into the Forests of Finland," 10 Aug. 2017
According to the unwritten rules of press-relations, that means that the reporters cannot reveal who gave them the information.

— robert bateman, Esquire, "A 25-Year Army Vet Explains the North Korea Warning Sign He's Waiting For," 9 Aug. 2017
Bryant appears to be most confused that the base runner doesn't have to wave but can do any manner of gesticulation, according to the unwritten rules of the ritual.

— marissa payne, chicagotribune.com, "'We should have a team meeting': Cubs are confused about their new group celebration," 21 July 2017
These unwritten rules are in desperate need of updates.

— christine flammia, Esquire, "Paul Ryan Realizes It's 2017, Promises to Update Dress Code," 14 July 2017
Even if such conditions weren’t imposed at the outset, a future administration might require participating schools to abide by as-yet unwritten requirements.

— lindsey burke, National Review, "‘S’ Is for ‘School Choice’ and ‘States’ — Washington Should Back Off," 13 July 2017
Baseball has become bogged down with slow moving action, and archaic unwritten rules that deter from the on-field product.

— the tylt, cleveland.com, "What is America's favorite pastime: Football or baseball?," 11 July 2017
Well, as the old song goes, the rest is still unwritten.

— kara nesvig, Teen Vogue, "Lauren Conrad, William Tell Welcome Son Liam James," 6 July 2017
One of Washington's unwritten rules is facing its stiffest test [TIME]

— zeke j miller, Time, "Is Time Running Out On Health Care?," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unwritten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unwritten

14th century

unwritten Synonyms

Synonyms

nuncupative, oral, spoken, verbal, viva voce, word-of-mouth

Antonyms

paper, written

Related Words

consensual, implicit, informal; articulated, verbalized; given, pronounced, said, sounded, stated, told, voiced

Near Antonyms

explicit, formal

UNWRITTEN Defined for English Language Learners

unwritten

adjective

Definition of unwritten for English Language Learners

: spoken or understood without being written

UNWRITTEN Defined for Kids

unwritten

adjective un·writ·ten \ ˌən-ˈri-tᵊn \

Definition of unwritten for Students

:not in writing :followed by custom

unwritten law

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Examples of unwritten in a Sentence

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First Known Use of unwritten

unwritten Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

UNWRITTEN Defined for English Language Learners

unwritten

Definition of unwritten for English Language Learners

UNWRITTEN Defined for Kids

unwritten

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