Skip to main content
written matter

written matter

3.6
Text to be printed or published without pictures
  • noun
translation icon : contenido escrito
  • The newspaper is filled with written matter that informs readers about current events.

Examples

  • In the digital age, much written matter can be found online instead of in printed form.

  • The author's latest book features written matter that explores themes of love and loss.

  • Scrolls are not as utilitarian as books for written matter, which is what most books contain and what most scrolls contained.

    Blog text (24)

Synonyms

document
vswritten matter
2.0

A paper or electronic file that gives official information

is focused on publishable content rather than official or evidential records
text
vswritten matter
355 1.0

The main words written in a book or document without notes and pictures

is used for content meant to be printed or published
copy
vswritten matter
  • Literature
195 3.0

Text written for a newspaper, magazine, or advertisement

is the general body of content intended for print publication
matter
vswritten matter
84 4.6

Written material in books, magazines, or other printed items

narrows this to content meant for publishing and excluding images
print
vswritten matter
53 1.0

The words that appear in a book or newspaper

stresses content prepared for publication rather than other media forms
reading material
vswritten matter
19 1.0

Things like books and magazines to read for information or enjoyment

is about content produced specifically for printing, not just for reading
written word
vswritten matter
16 3.2

Words shown with letters on a page or screen instead of spoken

is the version of such information aimed at print publication
piece of writing
vswritten matter
  • Specialized
9 2.1

A text that a person makes to share ideas, feelings, or stories

applies to that kind of content when prepared for print publication
written material
vswritten matter
  • Literature
3 2.3

Text created by a person, like a book or letter

is more about content prepared specifically for print publication
written text
vswritten matter
2 2.0

Words put on paper or saved in a file, not spoken

is focused on material destined for printing or publication
textual matter
vswritten matter
5.3

The written words in a book or article, not the pictures

focuses on content intended for print or publication

Antonyms

A thing that does not use written words but uses pictures, sounds, or video

How Publishable

publication
127 3.2
article
  • Literature
1.0
manuscript
129 6.5
written matter
3.6
draft
  • Specialized
245 3.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

written + matter

The meaning 'textual content' is directly derivable from 'written' (in written form) + 'matter' (content/stuff), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE meaning. This composition follows a common noun phrase pattern (modifier + noun) and is cross-linguistically transparent, making it immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Written matter is a simple name for the 'written' stuff in a book or paper. The word matter here means 'material' or 'thing', and written shows it is the text, so written matter means the text parts, not the pictures, which is why it refers to words to be printed or published.