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44 4.9
To say something in a particular way
  • verb
  • /wɜrd/
translation icon : formular
  • Can you help me word my invitation so that it sounds more formal?
  • strongly worded
  • carefully worded
  • worded as follows

Hindsight, maybe I could have worded that in a better way.

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Examples

Synonyms

to say
vsto word
1.0

Speak words to show information or feelings

emphasises choosing particular phrasing rather than general stating
to state
vsto word
1.6

To say or write something clearly and officially

is neutral about formality and focuses on exact expression
to articulate
vsto word
85 4.4

To say or write your ideas clearly so others understand

focuses more on specific wording choices than on general clarity
to paraphrase
vsto word
64 4.1

To say the same thing using different words to make it clearer

is about choosing a particular expression, not changing language
to formulate
vsto word
59 4.5

To create and describe an idea, plan, or theory clearly

focuses on selecting exact expression rather than inventing ideas
to phrase
vsto word
46 3.9

To choose words to say something clearly

is about choosing exact language to express an idea
to rephrase
vsto word
42 3.7

To say something again in different words to make it clearer

keeps focus on a single particular expression rather than restating
to set forth
vsto word
  • Formal
29 4.2

To state something clearly in writing or speech

is less formal and centres on particular expression choices
to give voice
vsto word
15 4.3

To put thoughts or feelings into words

focuses on exact phrasing rather than making something public
to couch
vsto word
  • Formal
15 7.2

To say something in a careful or polite way

is more general, focusing on any specific choice of language
to reword
vsto word
4 3.4

Change the words of a sentence to say the same thing more clearly

prefers selecting a specific expression rather than substituting terms

Idioms

81 4.4

A final decision by someone with the power to decide

27 7.8

Rumors people tell each other about events or people

27 3.5

Using exactly the same words as the original

12 6.3

To tell someone a secret that should be kept

Not believe anything someone says

8 8.1

Find a chance to say something when others keep talking

mum's the word
  • Informal
5 8.2

Keep quiet about a secret

Completely true in every possible way or meaning

People tell others instead of writing

To say any words, often used with not to mean say nothing

To listen very carefully to every word someone says

from the word go
  • Informal
3 5.3

From the very beginning of something

To talk to yourself to think about and criticize your actions

word is law
  • Informal
1 8.5

People must do what someone says without question

A private talk to give advice or a warning

8.4

What the mother decides must be followed without question

To think carefully about what you have done and decide to act differently

his word is law
  • Informal
7.6

People must do what one person says without question

Act in the same way you say you will

A signal to start an action or project

Phrasal Verbs

Tell many people about something so they know

Tell many people about something so they know

27 5.8

To say or write something in a certain way

To speak to someone in private about something sensitive

Say the same thing in a different way

Compounds

last word
  • Informal
70 4.8

A final remark in a discussion to end the argument

Word of God
  • Formal
41 6.5

Sacred writings and teachings believed to come from God that give guidance for living

A short helpful suggestion that warns about a possible problem

26 2.6

Information people share by talking to each other

26 2.5

Short praise said about someone to help them be chosen for something

dirty word
  • NSFW
18 7.1

A word people think is rude or not polite

16 3.2

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

13 4.6

A final decision or ruling that ends a matter

11 3.0

A game where players make or find words by following rules, like crosswords

word processor
  • Specialized
11 3.0

A program on a computer for writing, editing and printing text documents

four-letter word
  • Offensive
9 7.7

A rude or offensive word with four letters used to show anger

Information spoken by people and passed from person to person

curse word
  • Offensive
8 5.8

A rude word people say to show strong anger or surprise

8 3.5

Positive news or information about something

word of honor
  • Formal
8 4.0

A serious promise to tell the truth or keep a secret

4 3.5

An important word used to find a text in a search

word processing
  • Specialized
4 3.2

To use a computer program to write and change text documents

word salad
  • Specialized
3 9.9

Confusing speech or writing that makes no sense

weasel word
  • Literature
2 8.3

Words or phrases that avoid saying something clearly and often make people believe something untrue

2 5.6

A short private talk to give advice or discuss a sensitive matter

2 2.6

Something you say aloud rather than write or think

word picture
  • Literature
2 4.2

A clear description that makes you imagine a scene

naughty word
  • Offensive
1 6.1

A rude word that is not for children

word order
  • Specialized
1 1.6

The way words are put in a sentence to show who does what

A word made from two words that often has a new meaning, like toothpaste or watchdog

1 3.2

A square that gives a word twice its score when placed on it

key word
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A word that unlocks a secret message

the l-word
  • Informal
1 9.6

A polite way to mention the word love when someone feels awkward saying it

the n-word
  • Slur
1 9.9

A word people use instead of a very offensive slur for Black people

1 6.4

A square puzzle where the same words read across and down

A word with the same or very similar meaning as another word

root word
  • Specialized
1 4.2

The basic form of a word after removing beginnings and endings

slang word
  • Slang
1 9.9

An informal word or phrase used by a group of people

A short spoken or written message saying goodbye and good wishes

word play
  • Informal
1 4.1

A clever or funny use of words to make jokes

word-painter
  • Literature
1 8.2

A writer who uses strong, clear words to make scenes feel real

cognate word
  • Specialized
7.2

A word in another language that comes from the same older word

closed-class word
  • Specialized
8.3

A word from a small fixed set that helps show grammar, like in or and

content word
  • Specialized
4.4

A word that gives the main meaning in a sentence, like a noun or verb

deictic word
  • Specialized
8.6

A word that shows person, place and time compared to the speaker or listener

A repeated word in writing that appears by accident

entry word
  • Jargon
4.7

The main word shown as the heading in a dictionary

A short rude English word of four letters that insults someone

function word
  • Specialized
1.0

A word that shows the grammar of a sentence, like and or the

6.0

The word shown at the top of a dictionary page to find information

A word that has only one syllable

ghost word
  • Specialized
9.9

A word that enters a language because of a mistake, like a misprint, and has no real use

guide word
  • Specialized
3.0

A word at the top of a dictionary page showing the first or last entry on that page

head word
  • Specialized
6.3

The main word in a group of words that other words describe

nonce word
  • Specialized
9.9

A made-up word used only once for a particular occasion

A word or short phrase that makes someone feel stronger and want to change

open-class word
  • Specialized
7.4

A type of word that often gets new words, like nouns and verbs

A word that has the reverse meaning of another word

polysemantic word
  • Specialized
7.7

A word that has more than one meaning

polysemous word
  • Specialized
7.7

A word that has more than one meaning

A word that has more than three syllables

portmanteau word
  • Specialized
7.1

A new word that joins parts of two words

superordinate word
  • Specialized
8.0

A general word that includes more specific words like bird for sparrow

ten-dollar word
  • Informal
9.3

A long fancy word people use when simple words are enough

the h-word
  • Informal
9.9

A polite way to mention the word hate without saying it

the j-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A polite way to talk about a sensitive word that starts with J

the p-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A polite way to avoid saying a rude word that starts with p

the r-word
  • Slur
9.9

A rude word used to insult people with an intellectual disability, replaced by the letter R

the t-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A polite way to talk about a word or topic that makes people upset

the w-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A polite way to refer to a taboo or offensive word without saying it

the a-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A polite phrase for a rude word that starts with A, for example ass

the b-word
  • Offensive
9.9

A polite phrase people use instead of a rude word for a woman

the c-word
  • Offensive
9.9

An indirect way to say a very offensive word for a woman's private parts

the d-word
  • Informal
9.9

A polite way to say divorce without mentioning it directly

the f-word
  • Offensive
9.9

A polite way to talk about the very rude word 'fuck' without saying it

smear word
  • Offensive
7.9

A word used to hurt someone's reputation unfairly

subordinate word
  • Specialized
7.9

A word that names a more specific kind than a general word, like 'poodle' for 'dog'

v-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A word people avoid saying because it is rude or about violence

How Specific

to word
44 4.9
to phrase
46 3.9
to state
1.6
to say
1.0
to express
2.3

Surface Forms

word infinitive
worded past
worded past participle
wording present participle
words third person singular

Etymology

The verb word comes from the noun word and simply means to put something into words or phrase it carefully. So to 'word' a sentence is to choose the right 'words' to say it.