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

Your senior hires need a circle that includes a sponsor from senior leadership, a peer who can help explain unwritten norms, an operational navigator to remove administrative obstacles. — Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Spending time at the beach means sharing space with others and abiding by unwritten rules that make beach going days fun for everyone. — Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 14 July 2026

Host and guest were a kind of belonging, guest to host and host to guest, and in that belonging was a sacred pact unwritten. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Musk’s own philanthropic story is still unwritten. — Douglas P. McCormick, Fortune, 23 June 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