wordnoun
uk/wɜːd/us/wɝːd/word noun (LANGUAGE UNIT)
A1 [ C ] a single unit of language that has meaning and can be spoken or written:
used to refer to a word, usually a rude or embarrassing one, by saying only the first letter and not the whole word:
More examples
- I was fumbling for the right word.
- You haven't listened to a word I've said!
- Write the amount in both words and figures.
- Annotated editions of Shakespeare's plays help readers to understand old words.
- Cross out any words that are not on the list.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: terminology & vocabulary
- acronym
- alphabetic
- Anglicism
- antonym
- archaism
- buzzword
- cognate
- coinage
- corruption
- defining vocabulary
- denotation
- false friend
- homophone
- loanword
- neologism
- nonsense word/syllable
- so-called
- technobabble
- vocab
- vocabulary
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word noun (TALKING)
B2 [ S ] a short discussion or statement:
angry words:
disapproving discussion, rather than action:
to talk to each other for a short time:
a statement of approval and support for someone or something:
More examples
- Could I have a word with you in private?
- Incidentally, I wanted to have a word with you about your expenses claim.
- Can I have a little word with you?
- When you've got a minute, I'd like a brief word with you.
- Could I have a quick word ?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Arguments & disagreements
- argument
- belligerent
- blow up
- conflict
- confrontation
- contention
- counter-argument
- disharmony
- dispute
- dissonance
- feud
- fracas
- Mexican standoff
- quibble
- rivalry
- row 1
- shindig
- slanging match
- trouble
- tussle
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
word noun (NEWS)
[ U ] news or a message:
word noun (PROMISE)
[ S ] a promise:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Making & breaking promises & commitments
- betray
- broken
- commit
- cross my heart (and hope to die) idiom
- deliver
- fink
- fink out
- go back on sth
- New Year's resolution
- promise
- promise sb the earth/moon idiom
- promises, promises! idiom
- redeem
- resolution
- swear
- sworn
- vouch
- warrant
- warranty
- welsh
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word noun (ORDER)
[ S ] an order:
Idiom(s)
wordverb [ T usually + adv/prep ]
uk/wɜːd/us/wɝːd/to choose the words you use when you are saying or writing something:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Saying & uttering
- (your) every word idiom
- add
- come
- come out with sth
- every
- find your voice idiom
- floor
- get sth in
- in words of one syllable idiom
- in your own words idiom
- misspeak
- mouth
- phrase
- speak
- string
- text
- think
- use
- utterance
- volunteer
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