noun 1. one of the units of speech or writing that native speakers of a language usually regard as the smallest isolable meaningful element of the language, although linguists would analyse these further into morphemes related adjective lexical verbal
2. an instance of vocal intercourse; chat, talk, or discussion: to have a word with someone
3. an utterance or expression, esp a brief one: a word of greeting
4. news or information: he sent word that he would be late
5. a verbal signal for action; command: when I give the word, fire!
6. an undertaking or promise: I give you my word, he kept his word
7. an autocratic decree or utterance; order: his word must be obeyed
8. a watchword or slogan, as of a political party: the word now is ``freedom''
9. (computing) a set of bits used to store, transmit, or operate upon an item of information in a computer, such as a program instruction
10. as good as one's word, doing what one has undertaken or promised to do
12. by word of mouth, orally rather than by written means
13. in a word, briefly or in short
14. my word! - an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
- (Austral) an exclamation of agreement
15. of one's word, given to or noted for keeping one's promises: I am a man of my word
16. put in a word for, put in a good word for, to make favourable mention of (someone); recommend
17. take someone at his word, take someone at her word, to assume that someone means, or will do, what he or she says: when he told her to go, she took him at his word and left
18. take someone's word for it, to accept or believe what someone says
19. the last word - the closing remark of a conversation or argument, esp a remark that supposedly settles an issue
- the latest or most fashionable design, make, or model: the last word in bikinis
- the finest example (of some quality, condition, etc): the last word in luxury
20. the word, the proper or most fitting expression: cold is not the word for it, it's freezing!
21. upon my word! - (archaic) on my honour
- an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc
22. word for word - (of a report, transcription, etc) using exactly the same words as those employed in the situation being reported; verbatim
- translated by substituting each word in the new text for each corresponding word in the original rather than by general sense
23. word of honour, a promise; oath
24. (modifier) of, relating to, or consisting of words: a word list