words

word  (wûrd)

n.

1. A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.

2. Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment: May I say a word about that?

3. Computer Science A set of bits constituting the smallest unit of addressable memory.

4. words Discourse or talk; speech: Actions speak louder than words.

5. words Music The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.

6. An assurance or promise; sworn intention: She has kept her word.

7.

a. A command or direction; an order: gave the word to retreat.

b. A verbal signal; a password or watchword.

8.

a. News: Any word on your promotion? See Synonyms at news.

b. Rumor: Word has it they're divorcing.

9. words Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.

10. Used euphemistically in combination with the initial letter of a term that is considered offensive or taboo or that one does not want to utter: "Although economists here will not call it a recession yet, the dreaded 'R' word is beginning to pop up in the media" (Francine S. Kiefer).

11. Word

a. See Logos.

b. The Scriptures; the Bible.

tr.v. word·ed, word·ing, words

To express in words: worded the petition carefully.

interj.

Slang Used to express approval or an affirmative response to something. Sometimes used with up.

Idioms:

at a word

In immediate response.

good word

1. A favorable comment: She put in a good word for me.

2. Favorable news.

have no words for

To be unable to describe or talk about.

in a word

In short; in summary: In a word, the situation is serious.

in so many words

1. In precisely those words; exactly: hinted at impending indictments but did not say it in so many words.

2. Speaking candidly and straightforwardly: In so many words, the weather has been beastly.

of few words

Not conversational or loquacious; laconic: a person of few words.

of (one's) word

Displaying personal dependability: a woman of her word.

take at (one's) word

To be convinced of another's sincerity and act in accord with his or her statement: We took them at their word that the job would be done on time.

upon my word

Indeed; really.

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[Middle English, from Old English; see wer-⁵ in Indo-European roots.]

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words [wɜːdz]

pl n

1. (Performing Arts / Theatre) the text of a part of an actor, etc.

2. (Music, other) the text or lyrics of a song, as opposed to the music

3. angry speech (esp in the phrase have words with someone)

eat one's words to retract a statement

for words (preceded by too and an adjective or adverb) indescribably; extremely the play was too funny for words

have no words for to be incapable of describing

in other words expressing the same idea but differently

in so many words explicitly or precisely

of many (or few) words (not) talkative

put into words to express in speech or writing as well as thought

(Literature / Rhetoric)

say a few words to give a brief speech

take the words out of one's (or someone's) mouth to say exactly what someone else was about to say

words fail me I am too happy, sad, amazed, etc., to express my thoughts

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	words - the words that are spoken; "I listened to his words very closely" speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication, oral communication, speech, language - (language) communication by word of mouth; "his speech was garbled"; "he uttered harsh language"; "he recorded the spoken language of the streets"
	2.	words - the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number; "his compositions always started with the lyrics"; "he wrote both words and music"; "the song uses colloquial language" lyric, language text, textual matter - the words of something written; "there were more than a thousand words of text"; "they handed out the printed text of the mayor's speech"; "he wants to reconstruct the original text" song, vocal - a short musical composition with words; "a successful musical must have at least three good songs" love lyric - the lyric of a love song
	3.	words - language that is spoken or written; "he has a gift for words"; "she put her thoughts into words" language, linguistic communication - a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols; "he taught foreign languages"; "the language introduced is standard throughout the text"; "the speed with which a program can be executed depends on the language in which it is written"
	4.	words - an angry dispute; "they had a quarrel"; "they had words" dustup, quarrel, run-in, wrangle, row difference of opinion, dispute, difference, conflict - a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats" affray, altercation, fracas - noisy quarrel pettifoggery, spat, squabble, tiff, bicker, bickering, fuss - a quarrel about petty points bust-up - a serious quarrel (especially one that ends a friendship)
	5.	words - words making up the dialogue of a play; "the actor forgot his speech" actor's line, speech dialog, dialogue - the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction aside - a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage cue - an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech monologue - a (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor soliloquy - a (usually long) dramatic speech intended to give the illusion of unspoken reflections throwaway - words spoken in a casual way with conscious under-emphasis line - text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen; "the letter consisted of three short lines"; "there are six lines in every stanza"