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 black ? bird ? from black ? bird ? . Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.

words,

speech or talk

to express one's emotion in words; Words mean little when action is called for.

the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.

contentious or angry speech; a quarrel

We had words and she walked out on me.

a short talk or conversation

Marston, I'd like a word with you.

an expression or utterance

a word of warning.

warrant, assurance, or promise

I give you my word I'll be there.

news; tidings; information

We received word of his death.

a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.

an authoritative utterance, or command

His word was law.

Also called machine word. Computers . a string of bits, characters, or bytes treated as a single entity by a computer, particularly for numeric purposes.

( initial capital letter ) Also called the Word, the Word of God.

the Scriptures; the Bible.

the Logos.

the message of the gospel of Christ.

a proverb or motto.

to express in words; select words to express; phrase

to word a contract with great care.

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.

be as good as one's word

to hold to one's promises.

eat one's words, to retract one's statement

esp. with humility

They predicted his failure, but he made them eat their words.

have a word

to talk briefly

Tell your aunt that I would like to have a word with her.

have no words for

to be unable to describe

She had no words for the sights she had witnessed.

in a word

in summary; in short

In a word, there was no comparison. Also, in one word.

in so many words

in unequivocal terms; explicitly

She told them in so many words to get out.

keep one's word

to fulfill one's promise

I said I'd meet the deadline, and I kept my word.

man of his word or woman of her word

a person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.

my word! or upon my word! (used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment.)

of few words

laconic; taciturn

a woman of few words but of profound thoughts.

of many words

talkative; loquacious; wordy

a person of many words but of little wit.

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.

take one at one's word

to take a statement to be literal and true.

take the words out of one's mouth

to say exactly what another person was about to say.

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.

noun

silence , question , breach , break

noun

chat , chitchat * , colloquy , confab , confabulation , consultation , conversation , discussion , talk , tte--tte , account , adage , advice , announcement , bulletin , byword , comment , communication , communiqu , declaration , directive , discourse , dispatch , expression , gossip , hearsay , information , intelligence , intimation , introduction , message , news , notice , pronouncement , proverb , remark , report , rumble , rumor , saw , saying , scuttlebutt , speech , tidings , utterance , concept , designation , idiom , lexeme , locution , morpheme , name , phrase , sound , term , usage , vocable , behest , bidding , charge , commandment , decree , dictate , edict , go-ahead * , green light * , injunction , mandate , order , signal , ukase , will , affirmation , assertion , assurance , commitment , engagement , guarantee , oath , parole , pledge , plight , solemn oath , solemn word , vow , warrant , word of honor , countersign , slogan , watchword , statement , covenant , guaranty , direction , instruction , tiding , gossipry , talebearing , tattle , tittle-tattle , altercation , bicker , clash , contention , controversy , debate , difficulty , disagreement , dispute , fight , polemic , quarrel , run-in , spat , squabble , tiff , wrangle , adjunct , argument , assent , audience , avowal , command , couch , derivative , dialogue , dirt , etymon , explain , express , honor , letter , lowdown , maxim , mot juste , motto , parol , password , poop , promise , repute , root , ruling , semanteme , sobriquet , state , summons , ultimatum , voice

verb

couch , express , formulate , put