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

(2)

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

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

would like to have a word with you

b

: something that is said

c words plural

(1)

: talk, discourse

putting one's feelings into words

(2)

: the text of a vocal musical composition

3

: order, command

don't move till I give the word

4

a

: news, information

sent word that he would be late

b

: rumor

5

: promise, declaration

kept her word

6

: a quarrelsome utterance or conversation

—usually used in plural

they had words and parted

7

often capitalized

a

: the expressed or manifested mind and will of God

b

: gospel sense 1a

c

: logos

8

: the act of speaking or of making verbal communication

9

: saying, proverb

10

: a number of bytes processed as a unit and conveying a quantum of information in communication and computer work

11

: a verbal signal : password

12

slang

—used interjectionally to express agreement

word

2 of 2

verb

worded; wording; words

transitive verb

: to express in words : phrase

a carefully worded reply

intransitive verb

archaic : speak

Phrases

good word

1

: a favorable statement

put in a good word for me

2

: good news

what's the good word

in a word

: in short

in so many words

1

: in exactly those terms

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

2

: in 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 man of few words

of one's word

: that can be relied on to keep a promise

—used only after man or woman

a man of his 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 (for more details about how words are chosen for dictionary entry, read "How does a word get into a Merriam-Webster dictionary?" in our FAQ). 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

Noun

• expression
• term

Verb

• articulate
• clothe
• couch
• express
• formulate
• phrase
• put
• say
• state

Example Sentences

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

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Despite the red flags, hundreds of investors were receiving their dividends on time and word was spreading. —Lizzie Johnson, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Feb. 2023

For Lin, surviving sepsis left him determined to make sure that the word gets out about sepsis — and not just in English. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2023

Hayes became the first woman to earn the honor in 1977, earning the title after her Grammy win for best spoken word recording for Great American Documents. —Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2023

The Clue: This word starts with a consonant and ends with a vowel. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 4 Feb. 2023

The word comes in the wake a ransomware attack that diverted attention from the company’s plans to address lagging profitability. —Eric Killelea, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2023

Because such people possessed no special skill or status, the word gradually fell into disrepute. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023

Detroit police on Monday called for help from the public – a week after Kemp on Jan. 23 reported Kelly missing and began spreading the word via social media and notifying news outlets. —Andrea May Sahouri, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2023

The word Tuesday was that more than 12,000 tickets had been sold. —Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2023

Verb

At each stage, MyPerfectResume offers suggestions on what content to include and how to word it for the best results. —Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2022

Your doctor may know how to word a letter that makes clear your medical need for accommodation without giving unnecessary detail. —Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 30 June 2022

Gerritson said the new standards simply re-word the old standards. —Trisha Powell Crain | [e-mail], al, 29 Mar. 2022

However, Hoffman would not say how the plan came together or whether the electors received advice on how to word the document. —Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2022

However, Hoffman would not say how the plan came together or whether the electors received advice on how to word the document. —Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2022

However, Hoffman would not say how the plan came together or whether the electors received advice on how to word the document. —Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2022

However, Hoffman would not say how the plan came together or whether the electors received advice on how to word the document. —Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2022

However, Hoffman would not say how the plan came together or whether the electors received advice on how to word the document. —Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2022

See More

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

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing word

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

See More

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

See More

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

: news sense 1

any word on how they are

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