Definition of write
wrote
play
\ˈrōt\;
written
play
\ˈri-tᵊn\
also writ
play
\ˈrit\
or dialectal wrote;
writing
play
\ˈrī-tiŋ\
transitive verb
1 a
:to form (characters, symbols, etc.) on a surface with an instrument (such as a pen)
b
:to form (words) by inscribing characters or symbols on a surface
- write one's name
c
:to spell in writing
- words written alike but pronounced differently
d
:to cover, fill, or fill in by writing
- wrote ten pages
- write a check
2
:to set down in writing: such as
b (1)
:to be the author of :compose
- writes poems and essays
(2)
:to compose in musical form
- write a string quartet
c
:to express in literary form
- if I could write the beauty of your eyes
- —William Shakespeare
d
:to communicate by letter
- writes that they are coming
e
:to use or exhibit (a specific script, language, or literary form or style) in writing
- write Braille
- writes French with ease
f
:to write contracts or orders for;
especially
:underwrite
- write life insurance
3
:to make a permanent impression of
4
:to communicate with in writing
- we'll write you when we get there
6
:to make evident or obvious
- guilt written on his face
7
:to force, effect, introduce, or remove by writing
- write oneself into fame and fortune
- —Charles Lee
8
:to take part in or bring about (something worth recording)
9 a
:to introduce (information) into the storage device or medium of a computer
b
:to transfer (information) from the main memory of a computer to a storage or output device
10
:sell
- write a stock option
intransitive verb
1 a
:to make significant characters or inscriptions;
also
:to permit or be adapted to writing
b
:to form or produce written letters, words, or sentences
2
:to compose, communicate by, or send a letter
3 a
:to produce a written work
b
:to compose music
—
write one's own ticket
:to select a course of action or position entirely according to one's wishes
—
writ large
:on a larger scale or in a more prominent manner
- the problems of modern totalitarianism are only our own problems writ large
- —The Times Literary Supplement (London)
—
writ small
:on a smaller scale
