word
noun OPAL S
/wɜːd/
/wɜːrd/
Idioms - [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.
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Synonyms wordword- term
- phrase
- expression
- idiom
- word a single unit of language that means something and can be spoken or written:
- Do not write more than 200 words.
- He uses a lot of long words.
- term (rather formal) a word or phrase used as the name of something, especially one connected with a particular type of language:
- technical/legal/scientific terms
- ‘Old man’ is a slang term for ‘father’.
- phrase a group of words that have a particular meaning when used together:
- Who coined the phrase ‘fake news’?
- expression a word or phrase:
- He tends to use a lot of slang expressions that I’ve never heard before.
- idiom a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words:
- ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ is an idiom meaning to tell a secret by mistake.
- a word/term for something
- a new word/term/phrase/expression
- a technical/colloquial word/term/phrase/expression
- a slang word/term/phrase
- an idiomatic phrase/expression
- to use a(n) word/term/phrase/expression/idiom
- to coin a(n) word/term/phrase/expression
- a(n) word/term/phrase/expression/idiom means something
Extra ExamplesTopics 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- two-letter
- three-letter
- etc.
- …
- have
- use
- mention
- …
- mean something
- signify something
- refer to something
- …
- game
- puzzle
- identification
- …
- in somebody’s words
- word for
- word in
- …
- in all senses of the word
- in other words
- in so many words
- …
- [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).
Extra Examples- 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 Dictionaryadjective- quick
- quiet
- have
- word with
- a word in somebody’s ear
- [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).
Extra Examples- 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- solemn
- give somebody
- be as good as
- be true to
- …
- have somebody’s word for something
- a man of his word
- a woman of her word
- …
- [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.
Extra Examples- 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 Dictionaryverb + word- bring
- send
- get
- …
- get out
- leak
- leak out
- …
- word about
- word of
- the word on the street is
- what’s the word?
- the Word(also the Word of God)[singular] the Bible and its teachingsTopics Religion and festivalsc2
unit of language
something you say
promise
information/news
Bible
Word OriginOld English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch woord and German Wort, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin verbum ‘word’.
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 themTopics 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 sayTopics 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.
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.
Language Bank i.e.i.e.Explaining what you mean- Some poems are mnemonics, i.e. they are designed to help you remember something.
- Some poems are mnemonics, that is to say, they are designed to help you remember something.
- Mnemonic poems, that is poems designed to help you remember something, are an excellent way to learn lists.
- A limerick’s rhyme scheme is A–A–B–B–A. In other words, the first, second, and fifth lines all rhyme with one another, while the third and fourth lines have their own rhyme.
- In this exercise the reader is encouraged to work out the meaning, or rather the range of meanings, of the poem.
- This is a poem about death, or, more precisely, dying.
- He says his poems deal with ‘the big issues’, by which he means love, loss, grief and death.
(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
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