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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
word    Audio Help   [wurd] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Words are composed of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units susceptible of independent use or consist of two or three such units combined under certain linking conditions, as with the loss of primary accent that distinguishes blackʹbirdʹ from blackʹ birdʹ. Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.
2.words,
a.speech or talk: to express one's emotion in words; Words mean little when action is called for.
b.the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.
c.contentious or angry speech; a quarrel: We had words and she walked out on me.
3.a short talk or conversation: Marston, I'd like a word with you.
4.an expression or utterance: a word of warning.
5.warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I'll be there.
6.news; tidings; information: We received word of his death.
7.a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.
8.an authoritative utterance, or command: His word was law.
9.Also called machine word. Computers. a string of bits, characters, or bytes treated as a single entity by a computer, particularly for numeric purposes.
10.(initial capital letter) Also called the Word, the Word of God.
a.the Scriptures; the Bible.
b.the Logos.
c.the message of the gospel of Christ.
11.a proverb or motto.
–verb (used with object)
12.to express in words; select words to express; phrase: to word a contract with great care.
—Idioms
13.at a word, in immediate response to an order or request; in an instant: At a word they came to take the situation in hand.
14.be as good as one's word, to hold to one's promises.
15.eat one's words, to retract one's statement, esp. with humility: They predicted his failure, but he made them eat their words.
16.have a word, to talk briefly: Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.
17.have no words for, to be unable to describe: She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.
18.in a word, in summary; in short: In a word, there was no comparison. Also, in one word.
19.in so many words, in unequivocal terms; explicitly: She told them in so many words to get out.
20.keep one's word, to fulfill one's promise: I said I'd meet the deadline, and I kept my word.
21.man of his word or woman of her word, a person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.
22.my word! or upon my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)
23.of few words, laconic; taciturn: a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.
24.of many words, talkative; loquacious; wordy: a person of many words but of little wit.
25.put in a good word for, to speak favorably of; commend: He put in a good word for her with the boss. Also, put in a word for.
26.take one at one's word, to take a statement to be literal and true.
27.take the words out of one's mouth, to say exactly what another person was about to say.
28.weigh one's words, to choose one's words carefully in speaking or writing: It was an important message, and he was weighing his words.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME, OE; c. D woord, G Wort, ON orth, Goth waurd; akin to OPruss wirds, L verbum word, Lith var̃das name]

—Synonyms 4. statement, declaration. 5. pledge. 6. message, report, account. 7. catchword, shibboleth.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
in a word

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© 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
word    Audio Help   (wûrd)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. 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.
  2. Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment: May I say a word about that?
  3. Computer Science A set of bits constituting the smallest unit of addressable memory.
  4. words Discourse or talk; speech: Actions speak louder than words.
  5. words Music The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.
  6. An assurance or promise; sworn intention: She has kept her word.
    1. A command or direction; an order: gave the word to retreat.
    2. A verbal signal; a password or watchword.
    3. News: Any word on your promotion? See Synonyms at news.
    4. Rumor: Word has it they're divorcing.
    5. See Logos.
    6. The Scriptures; the Bible.
    1. News: Any word on your promotion? See Synonyms at news.
    2. Rumor: Word has it they're divorcing.
    3. See Logos.
    4. The Scriptures; the Bible.
  9. words Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.
  10. 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).
  11. Word
    1. See Logos.
    2. The Scriptures; the Bible.

tr.v.   word·ed, word·ing, words
To express in words: worded the petition carefully.

interj.   Slang Used to express approval or an affirmative response to something. Sometimes used with up.


[Middle English, from Old English; see wer-5 in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
in a word
to sum up briefly
Example: In a word, I don't like him.
Arabic: بِكَلِمَةٍ واحِده، باخْتِصار
Chinese (Simplified): 一句话
Chinese (Traditional): 一句話
Czech: jedním slovem
Danish: med ét ord; kort sagt
Dutch: kortom
Estonian: ühesõnaga
Finnish: sanalla sanoen
French: en un mot
German: mit einem Wort
Greek: με μια λέξη, εν ολίγοις
Hungarian: egyszóval
Icelandic: í einu orði sagt
Indonesian: singkatnya
Italian: in una parola*
Japanese: 要するに
Latvian: vārdu sakot
Lithuanian: trumpai tariant, žodžiu
Norwegian: kort sagt
Polish: jednym słowem
Portuguese (Brazil): em uma palavra
Portuguese (Portugal): em resumo
Romanian: într-un cuvânt
Russian: короче говоря
Slovak: jedným slovom
Slovenian: z eno besedo
Spanish: en una palabra
Swedish: kort sagt
Turkish: sözün kısası
See also: by word of mouth, word processor, wording, word-perfect, get a word in edgeways, keep, break one's word, take (someone) at his word, take someone's word for it, word, word for word, "in a word" in any language

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd.
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