word

(wûrd)

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.

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

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

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

d. A verbal signal; a password or watchword.

3. words

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

b. Music The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.

c. Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.

a. News: Any word on your promotion?

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

5. 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).

6. Word

a. See Logos.

b. The Scriptures; the Bible.

7. Computers A set of bits that is of a fixed size and is typically operated on by a computer's processor.

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 a word with

To have a brief conversation with (someone); speak to.

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 (someone'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.

take (someone's) word for it

To believe what someone says without investigating further.

upon my word

Indeed; really.

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

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

بِكَلِمَةٍ واحِده، باخْتِصار

kort sagtmed ét ord

mit einem Wort

í einu orîi sagt

jedným slovom

sözün kısası

一句话总而言之

word

(wəːd) noun

1. the smallest unit of language (whether written, spoken or read).

2. a (brief) conversation. I'd like a (quick) word with you in my office.

3. news. When you get there, send word that you've arrived safely.

4. a solemn promise. He gave her his word that it would never happen again.

verb

to express in written or spoken language. How are you going to word the letter so that it doesn't seem rude?

ˈwording noun

the manner of expressing something, the choice of words etc.

ˈword processor noun

a program for writing or editing texts, letters etc and storing them in the computer's memory; a computer used for doing this.

ˈword processing noun

ˌword-ˈperfect adjective

repeated, or able to repeat something, precisely in the original words. a word-perfect performance; He wants to be word-perfect by next week's rehearsal.

by word of mouth

by one person telling another in speech, not in writing. She got the information by word of mouth.

get a word in edgeways

to break into a conversation etc and say something.

in a word

to sum up briefly. In a word, I don't like him.

keep/break one's word

to keep or fail to keep one's promise.

take (someone) at his/her word

to believe (someone) without question and act according to his words.

take someone's word for it

to assume that what someone says is correct (without checking).

word for word

in the exact, original words. That's precisely what he told me, word for word.