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written word

written word

16 3.2
Words shown with letters on a page or screen instead of spoken
  • noun
  • /ˈrɪtən wɜrd/
translation icon : palabra escrita
  • The effect of the written word is often much greater than the spoken word.
  • the power of the written word
  • spoken or written word
  • translating written words

A short story is a much better metric for translation between the written word and the filmed word.

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Examples

  • Marcus Zusak's excellent book sensitizes students to the potential of the written word to effect societal and personal change.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Author visits transform quiet written words from a private exchange between reader and author into a lively community discussion.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The written word is a beautiful thing.

  • Eventually, these accounts were put down in the written word as well.

    Academic text (1998)
  • From that moment on, i gained a new respect for the written word.

  • I remember that moment, that first discovery of the power of the written word.

    Academic text (2000)
  • As far as I'm concerned, the written word is mankind's greatest achievement.

  • I am the Pagemaster, keeper of the books and guardian of the written word.

  • Insofar as the very materiality of texts is a signifier, ownership of the written word carries great social and authoritative value.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The mute heroine must resort to the written word to communicate with the world.

Synonyms

text
vswritten word
355 1.0

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

is broader, applying to any information shown visually, not only books
writing
vswritten word
123 1.0

Marks or letters on a surface that show language

focuses on the message conveyed visually rather than the act of marking
written language
vswritten word
5 3.4

A way of showing words using letters or characters instead of speech

communicates information visually rather than by speech
written material
vswritten word
  • Literature
3 2.3

Text created by a person, like a book or letter

emphasizes communicated information rather than literary style or form
written text
vswritten word
2 2.0

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

means general recorded information rather than just one copied item
written matter
vswritten word
3.6

Text to be printed or published without pictures

covers communicated information generally rather than only publishable content

Antonyms

2 2.6

Something you say aloud rather than write or think

How Permanent

engraving
25 4.1
inscription
37 4.8
written word
16 3.2
note
1.0
text
  • Texting
338 1.0

Surface Forms

written word singular
written words plural

Morphology

written + word

The meaning 'language or information communicated by means of writing' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'written' (recorded in writing) with 'word' (a unit of language). This is a standard adjective + noun composition with no idiomatic or metaphorical shift, and similar expressions exist across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Written word comes from the simple image of someone using a pen to make a written mark that becomes a word on paper, so the message can be read later. That's why it means language given 'in writing' rather than speech and often seems more lasting or official.