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| Language: | Old English |
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word1 S1 W1
1 the smallest unit of language that people can understand if it is said or written on its own : 
Write an essay of about five hundred words.I know the tune, but not the words.
unit of language
[countable]Write an essay of about five hundred words.I know the tune, but not the words. search for/find etc a word (=try to choose words that express what you want to say) She was having difficulty finding the right words to tell him.
➔ buzzword, four-letter word, swear wordShe was having difficulty finding the right words to tell him.2 the things that someone says or writes : Those are his words, not mine.
somebody's words
Those are his words, not mine.3 to talk to someone quickly, especially because you need their advice about something or you want to tell them to do something : Could I have a word?
have a word
especially spokenCould I have a word?5 used to emphasize that you cannot hear, understand etc what someone says or writes : No one could hear a word because someone had cut the amplifier cable.
not hear/understand/believe a word
No one could hear a word because someone had cut the amplifier cable.6 if you do something without a word, you do not say anything while you do it : He left without a word.
without (saying) a word
He left without a word.7 to make a short speech about something : I'd like to say a few words about the plans.
say a word/say a few words
I'd like to say a few words about the plans.8 something you say that warns someone, thanks them etc : It's a beautiful city, but a word of warning: street robberies are very common. He left without a word of apology.
a word of warning/caution/advice/thanks etc
It's a beautiful city, but a word of warning: street robberies are very common.He left without a word of apology.9
not say a word
a) also not breathe a word to not say anything about something because it is a secret : Promise you won't say a word to anyone?
Promise you won't say a word to anyone?b) to not say anything : What's wrong? You haven't said more than two words since you got here.
What's wrong? You haven't said more than two words since you got here.10 to express what you want to say clearly : He found it difficult to put ideas into words.
put your feelings/thoughts etc into words
He found it difficult to put ideas into words.11 to argue - use this when you do not want to make the argument seem serious : I was in a bad mood and he kept pestering me, so we had words.
have/exchange words (with somebody)
I was in a bad mood and he kept pestering me, so we had words.12 something you say that shows you are angry or want to criticize someone : Mountain rescue teams have harsh words to say to people who climb without proper equipment. They were married for 50 years and she says there was never an angry word between them.
a harsh/a cross/an angry etc word
Mountain rescue teams have harsh words to say to people who climb without proper equipment.They were married for 50 years and she says there was never an angry word between them.13 a piece of news or a message : Word came that our duties would be changed. 'Have you heard from Ann?' 'No, not a word.' Word of mouth (=information you get by someone telling you) is one of the best ways of getting business.
news/information
[singular, uncountable]Word came that our duties would be changed.'Have you heard from Ann?' 'No, not a word.' word gets out/around (=people hear about something) It's a very small town and if you do something bad, word gets around.
It's a very small town and if you do something bad, word gets around. the word is (that)/word has it (that) (=people are saying that) The word is that the two companies are planning a merger.
The word is that the two companies are planning a merger. spread/pass the word (=tell other people some information or news) Health officials are encouraging people to spread the word about the benefits of exercise.
Health officials are encouraging people to spread the word about the benefits of exercise. Word of mouth (=information you get by someone telling you) is one of the best ways of getting business.14
the last/final word
a) the power to decide whether or how to do something
b) the last statement or speech in a discussion or argument : The last word must go to Nick, who has organized the whole project.
The last word must go to Nick, who has organized the whole project.c) in sports, the last hit or kick in a game, especially when it is successful :
15 a sincere promise to do something, or a promise that what you say is true :
my/his/your etc word
be true to your word/be as good as your word (=do what you promise to do)
a man of his word/a woman of her word (=a man or woman who does what they have promised to do)
16
word for word
a) in exactly the same words : The newspaper printed his speech more or less word for word.
The newspaper printed his speech more or less word for word.b) also word by word if you translate a piece of writing word for word, you translate the meaning of each single word rather than the meaning of a whole phrase or sentence
17 used before giving a very simple answer or explanation : We are, in a word, busy. Ridiculously busy.
in a word
We are, in a word, busy. Ridiculously busy.18 saying something in a way that is very easy to understand, especially because the person you are talking to is stupid : You have to put everything in words of one syllable for her.
in words of one syllable
You have to put everything in words of one syllable for her.19 in a direct way, or in a way that makes it very clear what you mean : Aunt Fay was angry and said so in as many words.
in so many words
also in as many words [usually negative]Aunt Fay was angry and said so in as many words.20 if someone takes the words out of your mouth, they have just said what you were going to say
take the words (right) out of somebody's mouth
spoken21 to tell someone what you think they are trying to say, in a way that annoys them : Will you stop putting words into my mouth - I never said I disliked the job.
put words into somebody's mouth
spokenWill you stop putting words into my mouth - I never said I disliked the job.22 an order to do something :
an order
[singular]23 from the beginning of something : The marriage was a disaster from the word go.
(right) from the word go
spokenThe marriage was a disaster from the word go.24 extremely silly, complicated etc : His behaviour has been too pathetic for words.
too silly/complicated/ridiculous etc for words
spokenHis behaviour has been too pathetic for words.25 to say something to someone privately, especially to give them advice or a warning : If I were you, I'd have a word in his ear before it's too late.
(have/drop) a word in somebody's ear
If I were you, I'd have a word in his ear before it's too late.26 to get a chance to say something : Once George starts talking it's difficult to get a word in edgeways.
get a word in (edgeways)
Once George starts talking it's difficult to get a word in edgeways.27 to try to help someone get or achieve something by saying good things about them to someone else : I got the job because Paul put in a good word for me.
put in a (good) word for somebody
I got the job because Paul put in a good word for me.28 used to say that you are so surprised, angry, or shocked that you do not know what to say : I ... words fail me.
words fail me
spokenI ... words fail me.29 used to say that you understand or agree with what someone has just said
word!
American English informal30 used when you are very surprised : My word! Hasn't she grown?
(Upon) my word!
spoken old-fashionedMy word! Hasn't she grown?31 used to say you are extremely surprised, angry etc
surprised/angry/pleased etc isn't the word for it
spoken32 someone who does not say very much : My father was a man of few words.
a man/woman etc of few words
My father was a man of few words.
