word

noun

UK /wɜː(r)d/

Word Forms

singular	word
plural	words

1
countable a single unit of written or spoken language
The first word that many babies speak is ‘Mama’.
Can you read the words on this page?
The Latin word for a table is ‘mensa’.
Synonyms and related words
The words of a language
domain
language
the lexicon
2

words
plural someone’s words are things that they say
I was remembering the words of my old friend.
in your own words:
Tell us in your own words how the accident happened.
Synonyms and related words
Types of word or phrase
acrostic
adjacency pair
Americanism
1. 2a
  used about the words of a song, rather than the music
  I can hum the tune, but I don’t know the words.
  Synonyms and related words
  Parts of songs
  chorus
  lyric
  refrain
See alsoeat
See alsomark
3
singular a short conversation or discussion, usually without other people listening
want a word (with someone):
David wants a quiet word with you.
have a word (with someone):
Can I have a quick word with you?
Synonyms and related words
Discussions and debates
discussion
debate
argument
Synonyms and related words
Informal conversation about other people or unimportant things
conversation
chat
gossip
1. 3a
  countable a short speech on a particular subject
  word about/on:
  Let me say a word on the subject of security.
  say a few words (=give a short speech):
  I would just like to say a few words about our guest.
  Synonyms and related words
  Speeches and parts of speeches
  speech
  talk
  address
4
singular/uncountable news or information about someone or something
We’ve had no word from Brian yet.
send word (=send a message):
He sent word that they had arrived safely.
word spreads:
Word of the incident spread quickly.
Synonyms and related words
General words for information, news and facts
information
data
content
5
countable usually singularif someone gives you a word of something such as advice, praise, or warning, they advise, praise, or warn you
A word of advice – don’t take anything Gina says too seriously.
Synonyms and related words
Advice
advice
guidance
recommendation
Synonyms and related words
Warning and warnings
warning
notice
caution
Synonyms and related words
Praise and admiration
praise
admiration
recognition
6
word up
a phrase used to express confirmation, agreement
A: I will meet you at the gym at 5. B: Word up.
Submitted from:
United States on 26/03/2017
Open Dictionary - March2017
7
take the words out of somebody’s mouth
to say something someone else was going to say or thinks
“We’re overworked and underpaid!” “You took the words right out of my mouth!”
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 06/12/2018
Open Dictionary - December2018
8
have a word with yourself
to reconsider your actions or behaviour
If he thinks that is an appropriate way to behave, he needs to have a word with himself.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 26/03/2019
Open Dictionary - March2019

phrases

from the word go

give/say the word

give (someone) your word

have/exchange words (with someone)

keep your word

in a word

in other words

a man/woman of his/her word

my word

not have a good word for

not hear a word (said) against

not hear/understand etc a (single) word

not in so many words

put in a (good) word for someone

put words into someone’s mouth

take someone at their word

take my word for it

too...for words

word for word

(the) word is that

word of mouth

words fail me

words to that effect

your word (of honour)

word

noun

US /wɜrd/

Word Forms

singular	word
plural	words

1
countable a single unit of written or spoken language
The Latin word for a table is “mensa.”
The first word that many babies can say is “Mama.”
Can you read the words on this page?
Synonyms and related words
The words of a language
domain
language
the lexicon
2
singular a short conversation or discussion, usually without other people listening
want a word (with someone):
David wants a word with you.
have a word (with someone):
Can I have a word with you?
Synonyms and related words
Discussions and debates
discussion
debate
argument
Synonyms and related words
Informal conversation about other people or unimportant things
conversation
chat
gossip
1. 2a
  countable a short speech on a particular subject
  say a few words (=give a short speech):
  I would just like to say a few words about our guest.
  word about/on:
  Let me say a word on the subject of security.
  Synonyms and related words
  Speeches and parts of speeches
  speech
  talk
  address
3
singular/uncountable news or information about someone or something
We haven’t received any word from Brian yet.
word spreads:
Word of the incident spread quickly.
send word (=send a message):
He sent word that they had arrived safely.
Synonyms and related words
General words for information, news and facts
information
data
content
4
countable usually singularif someone gives you a word of something such as advice, praise, or warning, they advise, praise, or warn you
A word of advice: Don’t take anything Gina says too seriously.
Synonyms and related words
Advice
advice
guidance
recommendation
Synonyms and related words
Warning and warnings
warning
notice
caution
Synonyms and related words
Praise and admiration
praise
admiration
recognition
5

words
plural someone’s words are things that they say
I was remembering the words of my old friend.
in your own words:
Tell us in your own words how the accident happened.
Synonyms and related words
Types of word or phrase
acrostic
adjacency pair
Americanism
1. 5a
  used about the words of a song, rather than the music
  I can hum the tune, but I don’t know the words.
  Synonyms and related words
  Parts of songs
  chorus
  lyric
  refrain
See alsoeat
See alsomark
6
word up
a phrase used to express confirmation, agreement
A: I will meet you at the gym at 5. B: Word up.
Submitted from:
United States on 26/03/2017
Open Dictionary - March2017
7
take the words out of somebody’s mouth
to say something someone else was going to say or thinks
“We’re overworked and underpaid!” “You took the words right out of my mouth!”
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 06/12/2018
Open Dictionary - December2018
8
have a word with yourself
to reconsider your actions or behaviour
If he thinks that is an appropriate way to behave, he needs to have a word with himself.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 26/03/2019
Open Dictionary - March2019

phrases

from the word go

give/say the word

give (someone) your word

have/exchange words (with someone)

keep your word

in a word

in other words

a man/woman of his/her word

my word

not have a good word for

not hear a word (said) against

not hear/understand etc. a (single) word

not in so many words

put in a (good) word for someone

put (something) into words

put words into someone’s mouth

take someone at their word

take my word for it

too...for words

word for word

(the) word is that

word of mouth

words fail me

words to that effect

word up

your word (of honor)

word

verb transitive

UK /wɜː(r)d/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	word
he/she/it	words
present participle	wording
past tense	worded
past participle	worded

1
to use words to express something in a particular way
You could have worded your message a bit more clearly.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to say something
say
talk
speak

word

verb transitive

US /wɜrd/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	word
he/she/it	words
present participle	wording
past tense	worded
past participle	worded

1
to use words to express something in a particular way
You could have worded your message a little more clearly.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to say something
say
talk
speak

word ​‌‌‌

words

word up

take the words out of somebody’s mouth

have a word with yourself

word ​‌‌‌

words

word up

take the words out of somebody’s mouth

have a word with yourself

word

word

word

word