unwritten
adjective
un·writ·ten
ˌən-ˈri-tᵊn 
1
: not expressed in writing : oral, traditional
an unwritten rule
2
: containing no writing : blank
Synonyms
Examples of unwritten in a Sentence
They had an unwritten agreement.
an unwritten contract may not be enforceable
Recent Examples on the Web
Colleagues had been quick to criticize my violations of unwritten rules regarding how women should lead—rules dictating niceties, get-in-line supportiveness, and instruction with subtlety.
—
TIME, 18 Apr. 2024
Who gets the armrests and what are the other unwritten and unenforceable rules of air travel?
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
The bill’s passage came at a steep political price for Mr. Johnson, who was forced to violate an unwritten but sacrosanct rule among House Republicans that Ms. Greene alluded to against bringing up legislation that cannot draw support from a majority of their members.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
These visitors and newcomers don’t always know the unwritten rules of living in the desert, locals say.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024
The future of work is like an unwritten musical score awaiting notes of innovation.
—Vishal Bhalla, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
But periodically a judge doesn’t play by the unwritten rules.
—Mercury News Editorial, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024
Different sports vary in how far their unwritten codes tolerate deviations from the official rules.
—David Papineau, WSJ, 14 Dec. 2023
The special occasion brings up an age-old question as the unwritten rules of dating change: Who should pay on the first date?
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2024
TIME, 18 Apr. 2024
Who gets the armrests and what are the other unwritten and unenforceable rules of air travel?
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
The bill’s passage came at a steep political price for Mr. Johnson, who was forced to violate an unwritten but sacrosanct rule among House Republicans that Ms. Greene alluded to against bringing up legislation that cannot draw support from a majority of their members.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
These visitors and newcomers don’t always know the unwritten rules of living in the desert, locals say.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024
The future of work is like an unwritten musical score awaiting notes of innovation.
—Vishal Bhalla, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
But periodically a judge doesn’t play by the unwritten rules.
—Mercury News Editorial, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024
Different sports vary in how far their unwritten codes tolerate deviations from the official rules.
—David Papineau, WSJ, 14 Dec. 2023
The special occasion brings up an age-old question as the unwritten rules of dating change: Who should pay on the first date?
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unwritten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Unwritten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwritten. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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