word

1 of 2

noun

ˈwərd 

1

a(1)

: a speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning usually without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent use

the order of words in a phrase

the meaning of a word

a word that rhymes with her name

(2)

: a gesture or series of gestures that symbolizes and communicates a meaning of an object or concept : sign sense 1c

… signage shows visitors how to sign the word "goat"—while a goat pokes his head through the fence.

—Reece Barrett

(3)

: the entire set of linguistic forms produced by combining a single base with various inflectional elements without change in the part of speech elements

The word go also has the forms goes, going, went, and gone.

b(1)

: a written or printed character or combination of characters representing a spoken word

the number of words to a line

—sometimes used with the first letter of a real or pretended taboo word prefixed as an often humorous euphemism

… the first man to utter the f word on British TV …

—Time

we were not afraid to use the d word and talk about death

—Erma Bombeck

(2)

: any segment of written or printed discourse ordinarily appearing between spaces or between a space and a punctuation mark

2

a

: a brief remark or conversation

a word of advice

I would like to have a word with you.

b

words plural : thoughts expressed in speech, sign language, or writing

For the first time through his own words, witness the journey of a shy but prodigious musical talent who would soon become one of the defining artists of his generation.

—Jack Dunn

c words plural

(1)

: talk, discourse

putting one's feelings into words

wonderful beyond words [=beyond what can be expressed in language]

(2)

: the text of a vocal musical composition

3

: order, command

Don't move till I give the word.

We will wait for your word before we serve dinner.

4

a

: news, information

sent word that they would be late

Any word on how they are?

If word gets out, we're all in trouble.

b

: rumor

Word has it that the event is going to be cancelled.

5

: promise, declaration

kept their word

I won't go back on my word.

… the Dodgers have lived up to their word.

—Jack Harris

6

: a quarrelsome utterance or conversation

—usually used in plural

They had words and parted.

7

often Word

a

: the expressed or manifested mind and will of God

… the precepts of God's Word: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

—Harriett Jacobs

b

Christianity : gospel sense 1a

… preach the Word to those of their people who had formerly floundered without it.

—Alice Walker

c

Christianity : logos

… the Incarnation, the belief that in Christ the Word was made flesh.

—Garret Keizer

8

: the act of speaking or of making verbal communication

loyal in word and deed

9

: saying, proverb

10

computers : a number of bytes processed as a unit and conveying a quantum of information

11

: a verbal signal

One remembers his first modest advertisements headed with the magic word Thrift, Thrift, Thrift, thrice repeated …

—Joseph Conrad

12

slang

—used interjectionally to express agreement

"The show was amazing!" "Word."

word

2 of 2

verb

worded; wording; words

transitive verb

: to express in words : phrase

a carefully worded reply

Could we word the headline differently?

The exact way to word the conversation depends on you—and your friendship.

—Paco de Leon

intransitive verb

archaic : speak

Phrases

good word

1

: a favorable statement

Please put in a good word for me when you talk to the boss.

2

: good news

What's the good word?

spreading the good word

in a word

: very briefly

My answer, in a word, is no.

in so many words

1

: using exactly those terms

implied that such actions were criminal but did not say so in so many words

2

: using plain forthright language

In so many words, she wasn't fit to be seen.

—Jean Stafford

of few words

: not inclined to say more than is necessary : laconic

a person of few words

of one's word

: that can be relied on to keep a promise

—used after man, woman, or person

a man of his word

a woman of her word

I'm a person of my word.

upon my word

: with my assurance : indeed, assuredly

Upon my word, I've never heard of such a thing.

Did you know?

What makes a word a real word?

The word word has a wide range of meanings and uses in English. Yet one of the most often looked for pieces of information regarding word is not something that would be found in its definition. Instead, it is some variant of the question, What makes a word a real word?

One of the most prolific areas of change and variation in English is vocabulary; new words are constantly being coined to name or describe new inventions or innovations, or to better identify aspects of our rapidly changing world. Constraints of time, money, and staff would make it impossible for any dictionary, no matter how large, to capture a fully comprehensive account of all the words in the language. And even if such a leviathan reference was somehow fashioned, the dictionary would be obsolete the instant it was published as speakers and writers continued generating new terms to meet their constantly changing needs.

Most general English dictionaries are designed to include only those words that meet certain criteria of usage across wide areas and over extended periods of time. As a result, they may omit words that are still in the process of becoming established, those that are too highly specialized, or those that are so informal that they are rarely documented in professionally edited writing. But the words left out are as real as those that gain entry; the former simply haven't met the criteria for dictionary entry–at least not yet (newer ones may ultimately gain admission to the dictionary's pages if they gain sufficient use).

However, in preparing your own writings, it is worth remembering that the dictionary encompasses the most widely used terms in English. Words that are left out may have usage limited to specific, isolated, or informal contexts, so they should be used carefully.

Synonyms of word

Noun

• term
• phrase

Verb

• say
• phrase
• express

Examples of word in a Sentence

Noun

How do you spell that word?

“Please” is a useful word.

Our teacher often used words I didn't know.

What is the French word for car?

Describe the experience in your own words.

The lawyer used Joe's words against him.

She gave the word to begin.

We will wait for your word before we serve dinner.

Verb

Could we word the headline differently?

tried to word the declaration exactly right

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Elite politics has become so opaque under his rule that pundits look for any clue for China’s direction – from parsing Xi’s words for their real meaning to assessing the color of his hair. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

That word has gotten the Fed into trouble before. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Verb

Other Considerations for Your Proposal Have some more questions around how to word your engagement? —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2025

The 2010 exemption specifically targeted Jackson County and was worded to apply only to charter counties with populations between 600,000 and 700,000 people, a population level Jackson County has now surpassed. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wort word, Latin verbum, Greek eirein to say, speak, Hittite weriya- to call, name

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing word

• a brief word
• a word in someone's ear
• a word of warning
• a word to the wise
• big word
• by word of mouth
• code word
• content word
• curse word
• dirty word
• entry word
• fighting word
• form word
• four-letter word
• from the word go
• function word
• ghost word
• give (someone) one's word
• go back on one's word
• guide word
• hang on someone's every word
• have a word in your ear
• have a word with (someone)
• have the last word
• in every sense of the word
• in the strict/strictest sense (of the word)
• keep one's word
• key word
• know the meaning of the word
• last word
• magic word
• man/woman of his/her word
• mum's the word
• my word
• my word is my bond
• not say/breathe a word
• not speak a word
• not speak a word of
• not utter a word
• portmanteau word
• printed page/word
• put/get the word out
• put in a good word
• say the word
• send word
• someone's word is his/her bond
• someone's word is law
• spread the word
• swear word
• take someone's word for it
• the last/final word
• the n-word
• true to one's word
• weasel word
• what's the good word
• word-association test
• word class
• word for word
• word-hoard
• word-mongering
• word of honor
• word of mouth
• word on the street
• word order
• word-perfect
• word problem
• word processing
• word processor
• word/rumor has it
• word salad
• word square
• word stress
• word wrap

Rhymes for word

• blurred
• burd
• curd
• curred
• furred
• gerd
• gird
• herd
• kurd
• nerd
• purred
• sherd

Kids Definition

word

1 of 2 noun

ˈwərd 

1

: a sound or combination of sounds that has meaning and is spoken by a human being

2

: a written or printed letter or letters standing for a spoken word

3

: a brief remark or conversation

could I have a word with you

4

: order entry 1 sense 5b

give the word to begin

5

a

: news sense 1

any word on how they are

b

: rumor

6

: promise entry 1 sense 1

I give you my word

7

: a remark or conversation uttered in anger

—usually used in plural

words were exchanged and a fight broke out

word

2 of 2 verb

: to express in words : phrase

worded their request with great care