word
(wűrd)
KEY
NOUN:
- 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.
- Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment:
May I say a word about that?
-
Computer Science
A set of bits constituting the smallest unit of addressable memory.
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words
Discourse or talk; speech:
Actions speak louder than words.
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words
Music
The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.
- An assurance or promise; sworn intention:
She has kept her word.
-
- A command or direction; an order:
gave the word to retreat.
- A verbal signal; a password or watchword.
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- News:
Any word on your promotion?
See Synonyms at news.
- Rumor:
Word has it they're divorcing.
-
words
Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.
- 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).
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Word
- See Logos.
- The Scriptures; the Bible.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
word·ed
,
word·ing
,
words
- To express in words:
worded the petition carefully.
INTERJECTION:
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Slang
Used to express approval or an affirmative response to something. Sometimes used with up.
IDIOMS:
at a word
- In immediate response.
good word
- A favorable comment:
She put in a good word for me.
- 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
- In precisely those words; exactly:
hinted at impending indictments but did not say it in so many words.
- 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.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English; see
wer-
5 in Indo-European roots
