unwritten

adjective

un·​writ·​ten ˌən-ˈri-tᵊn 

1

: not expressed in writing : oral, traditional

an unwritten rule

2

: containing no writing : blank

Synonyms

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

Examples of unwritten in a Sentence

They had an unwritten agreement.

an unwritten contract may not be enforceable

Recent Examples on the Web

People in Japan tend to follow an unwritten commuter culture. —Rocky Sharma, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Brazile, a current ABC News contributor, added that Biden stayed relatively quiet during Trump's first 100 days in office this term, honoring an unwritten presidential tradition, and stressed that Biden deserves a platform. —Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 9 May 2025

But outside this structure, the grove’s true guardians are an unwritten set of taboos and spiritual obligations that forbid logging, hunting, or harming any living thing within its boundaries, explains Alao Eniafe, a local chief in the community, in a text message to The Christian Science Monitor. —Ogar Monday, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025

There is, however, one unwritten rule: a pontiff can’t take the name of Peter, out of deference to St. Peter, who is traditionally known as the Catholic Church’s first pope. —George Petras, USA Today, 9 May 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