word
word
/wɜːd/
unit of language
1 countable a single unit of language that means something and can be spoken or written Do not write more than 200 words.
Do you know the words to this song?
word for something What's the Spanish word for ‘table’?
He was a true friend in all senses of the word.
Tell me what happened in your own words.
I could hear every word they were saying.
without speaking/uttering a word
He couldn't find the words to thank her enough.
Words fail me (= I cannot express how I feel).
There are no words to say how sorry we are.
I can't remember her exact words.
Angry is not the word for it—I was furious.
I can never put my feelings into words.
SEE ALSO buzzword, code word, four-letter word, household word, spoken word, swear word
TOPICS LanguageA1
‘Necessary’ is one of the most commonly misspelt words in English.
‘Technology’ comes from the Greek word ‘techne’.
‘Window’ derives from a Norse word meaning ‘eye of the wind’.
Bold words denote chapter headings.
By emphasizing particular words you can change the meaning.
Don't waffle in your essay just to get the right word count.
He chatters away at about 200 words per minute.
He enunciated the word with extreme care.
She kept shouting the word ‘No!’
He types 80 words per minute.
She uses big words to impress people.
He uses lots of long words.
She whispered the word to me.
He wrote down a few key words to help him remember what to say.
His exact words were, ‘There's nothing we can do about it.’
How is this word pronounced?
I couldn't find the right word to express the concept.
I daren't even mention the word ‘money’ to him.
I find even everyday words difficult to spell.
I found several misspelled words and grammatical errors.
I knew he'd been drinking because he was slurring his words.
I misheard the word ‘sick’ as ‘thick’.
I'm not sure what he said but the word sounded like ‘bull’.
It's a slang word meaning ‘boy’ or ‘person’.
People who overeat are not addicts in the true sense of the word.
Rearrange the letters to form a word.
She had memorized all the words to the song.
He looked the word up in the dictionary.
She deleted ‘girl’ and substituted the word ‘woman’.
She used loaded words like ‘bully’ when describing his actions.
He was so furious, he almost spat the words out: ‘You idiot!’
Spanish has no word for ‘understatement’.
The audience mouthed the words to all the songs.
The book uses simple words and pictures to explain complex processes.
The children are asked to think of rhyming words.
The look in her eyes filled in the unspoken words in her sentence.
The word ‘synergy’ combines ‘synthesis’ and ‘energy’.
The same word can carry numerous meanings.
The students had to retell the story in their own words.
The word ‘cruise’ conjures up images of a luxury.
The word ‘e-commerce’ was coined to refer to business done over the internet.
The word has two meanings.
The words at the end of the lines all rhyme.
These students have very poor word-recognition skills.
We didn't say a single word to each other all day.
We never heard anyone say an unkind word about her.
We recall the words of Martin Luther King, ‘Free at last’.
What's a word beginning with ‘c’ that means ‘a small wood’?
What's the French word for ‘snail’?
Words can't express how happy I am.
You can't always find the right word when you're translating.
You said we were about to make a big mistake, and never was a truer word spoken!
a more polite word for the same thing
a word that is often misused
words describing body parts
The word ‘politics’ is derived from a Greek word meaning ‘city’.
I was angry when I read these words.
The joke depended on the two meanings of the word 'star'.
The use of the word 'organic' is prohibited on products not covered by the Organic Foods Production Act.
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
two-letterthree-letteretc.…
verb + word
haveusemention…
word + verb
mean somethingsignify somethingrefer to something…
word + noun
gamepuzzleidentification…
preposition
in somebody’s wordsword forword in…
phrases
in all senses of the wordin other wordsin so many words…
something you say
2 countable a thing that you say; a remark or statement Have a word with Pat and see what she thinks.
Could I have a quick word with you (= speak to you quickly)?
A word of warning: read the instructions very carefully.
words of love/encouragement
She left without a word (= without saying anything).
I don't believe a word of his story (= I don't believe any of it).
a man of few words (= who doesn’t talk very much)
I'd like to say a few words about future plans.
Remember—not a word to (= don't tell) Peter about any of this.
He never breathed a word of this to me.
(British English) We've been married twenty years and there's never been a cross word between us (= we have never argued or been angry with each other).
Thank you for those kind words.
He wanted to tell her how he felt about her, but the words stuck in his throat.
Her last words were for her children.
She had some harsh words to say about her colleagues.
Her parting words were ‘I'll be back’.
Her teacher's words echoed in her ears.
His words conjured up a strange picture in her mind.
Her words were drowned out by the roar of the engine.
He was nervous, and his words came out in a rush.
He whispered a few words of prayer.
I don't believe a word of what she said.
I let my words hang in the air. Maggie was no fool: she must realize I meant it.
I listened to his words of wisdom.
I've had a few words with John, and he's quite happy for you to stay.
The words lingered in his mind long after they were spoken.
Those were her very words.
Don't breathe a word to anyone about what I've told you!
And now a word from our sponsors…
A word to the wise: just because it's a bargain doesn't mean you have to buy it.
He tried to calm her with soothing words.
Before we begin, I'd like to say a few words about who I am.
Despite all their fine words, the council have never done anything to improve road safety.
Despite his brave words, I don't believe he can save the factory from closure.
Every word he utters is considered sacred.
His words faded to silence as he saw she didn't believe him.
Her words fell into the silence like stones.
He chose his words carefully when commenting on her work.
She whispered words of comfort in his ear.
He never says a harsh word about his experiences.
the immortal words of Neil Armstrong as he stepped onto the moon
She felt angry at how the journalist had twisted her words.
He had blurted the words out before he realized it.
She could feel her temper boiling as his words sank in.
He ruined her self-confidence with a few well-chosen words.
Seconds after uttering the fateful words ‘this is easy!’ he crashed.
Nobody's uttered a word to me about it.
No polite words of gratitude came.
In her speech she echoed the President's words.
a word of advice/caution
The government's promises on nurses' pay turned out to be weasel words.
Mark my words, this film will win an Oscar.
She instantly regretted her words.
He has given us a warning, and we should heed his words.
She was charmed by his friendly smile and polite words.
I usually exchange a few words with him when I see him.
I want to say a few words about Christina.
Those mocking words haunted me for years.
They exchanged whispered words of love.
The manager had a quiet word with Alison, and she gave him no more problems.
The advertising uses words and images to influence the public.
He hasn't a good word to say for anybody.
They show charity in word and deed.
She said the magic word, ‘Abracadabra!’.
the truth behind his words
Repeat the words after me.
You simply haven't understood a word I've said.
She left without a word of thanks.
Her choice of words is significant.
There are hardly words to describe how we all feel.
I don't have a bad word to say about her.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
quickquiet
verb + a word
have
preposition
word with
phrases
a word in somebody’s ear
promise
3 singular a promise or guarantee that you will do something or that something will happen or is true I give you my word that this won't happen again.
I give you my word of honour (= my sincere promise)…
We never doubted her word.
We only have his word for it that the cheque is in the post.
to keep your word (= do what you promised)
He promised to help and was as good as his word (= did what he promised).
He's a man of his word (= he does what he promises).
I trusted her not to go back on her word (= break her promise).
I can't prove it—you'll have to take my word for it (= believe me).
You needn't worry about him not paying you back—he's a man of his word.
I give you my word of honour I will not forget what I owe you.
She was as good as her word.
She won't go to the police. You can take my word for it.
They claimed that the minister had gone back on her word.
We only have his word for it that he wasn't there that night.
You can trust me. You know I always keep my word.
You gave me your word of honour.
We only have her word for it that she sent the payment.
True to his word, he returned next day.
She gave him her solemn word that she would give up drugs.
He gave me a promise, and I'm willing to trust his word.
Once he has made a promise, he never goes back on his word.
I'm sorry I doubted your word.
If it's your word against the police officer's, the jury are going to believe him.
I haven't seen his work, but I'll take his word for it that it's finished.
She gave me her word of honour that she wouldn't tell anyone.
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
solemn
verb + word
give somebodybe as good asbe true to…
phrases
have somebody’s word for somethinga man of his worda woman of her word…
information/news
4 singular a piece of information or news There's been no word from them since before Christmas.
She sent word that she would be late.
If word gets out about the affair, he will have to resign.
Word has it that she's leaving.
The word is they've split up.
He likes to spread the word about the importance of healthy eating.
Word that he had died spread fast.
We soon got word of his arrival.
We didn't get word of her arrest until the next day.
The word on the street is there's going to be a takeover.
Health workers spread the word about the benefits of immunization.
He sent word to his family that his captors were treating him well.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verb + word
bringsendget…
word + verb
get outleakleak out…
preposition
word aboutword of
phrases
the word on the street iswhat’s the word?
Bible
the Word (also the Word of God) singular the Bible and its teachings Idioms
actions speak louder than words
(saying) what a person actually does means more than what they say they will do
bandy words (with somebody)
(old-fashioned) to argue with somebody or speak rudely to them
TOPICS Opinion and argumentC2
be a dirty word
to be a subject or an idea that people think is bad or morally wrong
Profit is not a dirty word around here.
Work is a dirty word to Frank.
be lost for words
to be so surprised, confused, etc. that you do not know what to say
TOPICS FeelingsC1
beyond words
in a way that cannot be expressed in words
We were bored beyond words.
by word of mouth
because people tell each other and not because they read about it
The news spread by word of mouth.
The restaurant does not advertise, but relies on word of mouth for custom.
eat your words
to admit that what you said was wrong
When he told her she would fail, she swore she would make him eat his words.
famous last words
(saying) people sometimes say Famous last words! when they think somebody is being too confident about something that is going to happen
‘Everything's under control.’ ‘Famous last words!’
(right) from the word go
(informal) from the very beginning
(not) get a word in (edgeways)
(British English)
(also (not) get a word in (edgewise) North American English, British English)
(not) to be able to say anything because somebody else is speaking too much
When Mary starts talking, no one else can get a word in edgeways.
Extra Examples
I wanted to tell you that she'd phoned, but you were talking so much I couldn't get a word in edgeways.
I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't get a word in.
hang on somebody’s words/on somebody’s every word
to listen with great attention to somebody you admire
The journalists hung on his every word as he spoke of his ordeal.
have a word in somebody’s ear
(British English) to speak to somebody privately about something
Can I have a word in your ear about tomorrow's presentation?
have/exchange words (with somebody) (about something)
(especially British English) to have an argument with somebody
We've had words.
Words were exchanged.
TOPICS Opinion and argumentC2
in other words
used to introduce an explanation of something
They asked him to leave—in other words he was fired.
They're letting me go—in other words, I've been sacked.
(not) in so/as many words
(not) in exactly the same words as somebody says were used
‘Did she say she was sorry?’ ‘Not in so many words.’
He didn't approve of the plan and said so in as many words.
They told me in so many words that I was no longer needed.
in a word
(informal) used for giving a very short, usually negative, answer or comment
‘Would you like to help us?’ ‘In a word, no.’
in words of one syllable
using very simple language
Could you say that again in words of one syllable?
the last/final word (on something)
the last comment or decision about something
He always has to have the last word in any argument.
I’m willing to wait one more week, and that’s my final word on the subject.
The Chairman always has the last word on financial decisions.
the last word (in something)
the most recent, fashionable, advanced, etc. thing
These apartments are the last word in luxury.
mum’s the word!
(informal) used to tell somebody to say nothing about something and keep it secret
not have a good word to say for somebody/something
(informal) to never say anything good about somebody/something
Nobody had a good word to say about him.
not mince (your) words
to say something in a direct way even though it might offend other people
They were severely criticized by the chairman, who was not a man to mince his words.
He doesn't mince his words when he talks about his ex-boss.
the operative word
used to emphasize that a particular word or phrase is the most important one in a sentence
I was in love with her—‘was’ being the operative word.
He seemed nice. But ‘seemed’ was the operative word.
a play on words
the humorous use of a word or phrase that can have two different meanings
SYNONYM pun
the printed word/page
what is published in books, newspapers, etc.
the power of the printed word
put in a (good) word for somebody
to praise somebody to somebody else in order to help them get a job, etc.
If you run into the boss, put in a good word for me!
put words into somebody’s mouth
to suggest that somebody has said something when in fact they have not
He felt after the interview that the police officers had been trying to put words into his mouth.
say/give the word
to give an order; to make a request
Just say the word, and I'll go.
take somebody at their word
to believe exactly what somebody says or promises
He said I could stay at his house any time, so I took him at his word.
take the words right out of somebody’s mouth
to say what somebody else was going to say
I was about to say we should cancel the trip, but she took the words right out of my mouth.
too funny, silly, ridiculous, etc. for words
extremely funny, silly, ridiculous, etc.
a war of words
a bitter argument over a period of time between two or more people or groups
the political war of words over tax
TOPICS Opinion and argumentC2
weigh your words
to choose your words carefully so that you say exactly what you mean
He spoke slowly, weighing his words.
(upon) my word
(old-fashioned) used to show that you are surprised about something
word for word
in exactly the same words or (when translated) words with exactly the same meaning
She repeated their conversation word for word to me.
a word-for-word translation
He repeated word for word what the boy had said to him.
somebody’s word is their bond
somebody’s promise can be relied on completely
words to that effect
used to show that you are giving the general meaning of what somebody has said rather than the exact words
He told me to leave—or words to that effect.
the written word
language expressed in writing rather than in speech
the permanence of the written word
word verb
/wɜːd/
/wɜːrd/
Verb Forms
to write or say something using particular words
be worded How was the letter worded (= what did it say exactly)?
Extra Examples
He issued a very strongly worded statement denying any involvement in the plot.
It's the same sentiment, though worded rather differently.
We need to word our question carefully.
a poorly worded request that resulted in confusion
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
carefullycautiouslyambiguously…
Word Origin
Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch woord and German Wort, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin verbum ‘word’.