word

[wurd]

noun

1. a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Words are composed of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units susceptible of independent use or consist of two or three such units combined under certain linking conditions, as with the loss of primary accent that distinguishes the one-word blackbird (primary stress on “black”, and secondary stress on “bird”) from black bird (primary stress on both words). Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.

2. (used in combination with the first letter of an offensive or unmentionable word, the first letter being lowercase or uppercase, with or without a following hyphen).

   My mom married at 20, and she mentions the m-word every time I meet someone she thinks is eligible.

3. words,

   1. speech or talk.

      Can you express your feelings in words?

      Words mean little when action is called for.

   2. the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.

   3. contentious or angry speech; a quarrel.

      We had words and she walked out on me.

4. a short talk or conversation.

   Marston, I'd like a word with you.

5. an expression or utterance.

   Before you do anything rash, let me give you a word of warning.

   Synonyms: declaration, statement

6. warrant, assurance, or promise.

   I give you my word I'll be there.

   Synonyms: pledge

7. news; tidings; information.

   We received word of his death.

   Synonyms: account, report, message

8. a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.

   Synonyms: shibboleth, catchword

9. an authoritative utterance, or command.

   His word was law.

10. Also called machine word. Computers.,  a string of bits, characters, or bytes treated as a single entity by a computer, particularly for numeric purposes.

11. Christianity.,  the Word,

    1. Also called the Word of God,. Also called God's Word. the Scriptures; the Bible.

    2. the Logos, identified with Christ.

    3. the message of the gospel of Christ.

12. a proverb or motto.

verb (used with object)

1. to express in words, or to select words to express; phrase.

   The way they’ve worded these instructions is confusing.

interjection

1. Slang.,  what you have just said is true.

   “Raising a kid is the hardest thing you’ll ever do.” “Word.”

word

¹

/ wɜːd /

noun

1. one of the units of speech or writing that native speakers of a language usually regard as the smallest isolable meaningful element of the language, although linguists would analyse these further into morphemes

2. an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussion

   to have a word with someone

3. an utterance or expression, esp a brief one

   a word of greeting

4. news or information

   he sent word that he would be late

5. a verbal signal for action; command

   when I give the word, fire!

6. an undertaking or promise

   I give you my word

   he kept his word

7. an autocratic decree or utterance; order

   his word must be obeyed

8. a watchword or slogan, as of a political party

   the word now is ``freedom''

9. computing a set of bits used to store, transmit, or operate upon an item of information in a computer, such as a program instruction

10. doing what one has undertaken or promised to do

11. at once

12. orally rather than by written means

13. briefly or in short

14. 1. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc

    2. an exclamation of agreement

15. given to or noted for keeping one's promises

    I am a man of my word

16. to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend

17. to assume that someone means, or will do, what he or she says

    when he told her to go, she took him at his word and left

18. to accept or believe what someone says

19. 1. the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issue

    2. the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model

       the last word in bikinis

    3. the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc)

       the last word in luxury

20. the proper or most fitting expression

    cold is not the word for it, it's freezing!

21. 1. archaic,  on my honour

    2. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc

22. 1. (of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim

    2. translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense

23. a promise; oath

24. (modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of words

    a word list

verb

1. (tr) to state in words, usually specially selected ones; phrase

2. informal,  to inform or advise (a person)

Word

²

/ wɜːd /

noun

1. Christianity the 2nd person of the Trinity

2. Often called: the Word of God. Scripture, the Bible, or the Gospels as embodying or representing divine revelation

-word

³

combining form

1. (preceded by the and an initial letter) a euphemistic way of referring to a word by its first letter because it is considered to be in some way unmentionable by the user

   the C-word, meaning cancer

Other Word Forms

• interword adjective
• outword verb (used with object)
• well-worded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of word¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch woord, German Wort, Old Norse orth, orð, Gothic waurd, waúrd, all from Germanic wurdam (unattested); akin to Latin verbum “word,” Greek rhḗtōr (dialect wrḗtōr ) “public speaker, orator, rhetorician,” Old Prussian wirds “word,” Lithuanian var̃das “name”

Word History and Origins

Origin of word¹

Old English word; related to Old High German wort, Old Norse orth, Gothic waurd, Latin verbum, Sanskrit vratá command

Origin of word²

translation of Greek logos, as in John 1:1

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have a word, to talk briefly.

   Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.

2. take someone at their word, to take someone's statement to be literal and true.

3. of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy.

   a person of many words but of little wit.

4. man of his word / woman of her word, a person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.

5. weigh one's words, to choose one's words carefully in speaking or writing.

   He paused to weigh his words before speaking.

6. be as good as one's word, to hold to one's promises.

7. in a word, in summary; in short: Also in one word.

   In a word, there was no comparison.

8. eat one's words, to retract one's statement, especially with humility.

   They predicted he'd fail, but he made them eat their words.

9. in so many words, clearly or bluntly and without hedging; explicitly.

   She told them in so many words to get out.

10. at a word, in immediate response to an order or request; in an instant.

    When I was ill, they came at a word and took the situation in hand.

11. of few words, not talkative; laconic or taciturn.

    a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.

12. have no words for, to be unable to describe.

    She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.

13. take the words (right) out of one's mouth, to say exactly what one was about to say.

    “It’s a long way, so we should leave early.” “You took the words right out of my mouth!”

14. keep one's word, to fulfill one's promise.

    I said I'd meet the deadline, and I kept my word.

15. (upon) my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)

16. put in a good word for, to speak favorably of; commend: Also put in a word for.

    He put in a good word for her with the boss.

More idioms and phrases containing word

• actions speak louder than words
• at a loss (for words)
• at a word
• break one's word
• eat one's words
• famous last words
• fighting words
• four-letter word
• from the word go
• get a word in edgewise
• give the word
• go back on (one's word)
• good as one's word
• hang on someone's words
• have a word with
• have words with
• in brief (a word)
• in other words
• in so many words
• keep one's word
• last word
• leave word
• man of his word
• mark my words
• mince matters (words)
• mum's the word
• not breathe a word
• not open one's mouth (utter a word)
• of few words
• picture is worth a thousand words
• play on words
• put in a good word
• put into words
• put words in someone's mouth
• swallow one's words
• take someone at his or her word
• take the words out of someone's mouth
• true to (one's word)
• weasel word
• weigh one's words

Example Sentences

“It was so cutthroat. They took my money, didn’t say a word. I feel bad for the staff,” Katrina Dargel told the magazine.

From Los Angeles Times

The problem here is with that word association.

From Slate

“I’m crazy. I’m going to the Rose Bowl on Saturday and then to see them in Mexico City the following weekend. Centering travels around these concerts has been super-emotional. I definitely cried alongside with everyone, singing every word,” Ghavami said.

From Los Angeles Times

By teatime, it had met the definition of that word.

From BBC

I also think this will likely be the chief justice’s last word on this for some time.

From Slate

Related Words

• account 
• advice 
• announcement 
• comment 
• expression 
• information 
• message 
• news 
• remark 
• report 
• rumor 
• saying 
• speech 
• talk