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word · noun /wɜrd/Full view
Nouns: word, wording
Adjectives: worded, wordy
Verbs: word
word
A1 C a group of letters or sounds that mean something, or a single letter or sound that means something
Dictionary examples:

What's the word for goat in French?

Some words are more difficult to spell than others.

Your essay should be no more than two thousand words long.

Learner example:

When I go to college, I like [to] learn more English words. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Kurdish)

not believe/understand/hear/say, etc. a word
B1 to not believe/understand/hear/say, etc. anything
Dictionary example:

I don't believe a word he says.

Learner example:

Peter took my hand and asked me to leave, so I said goodbye to Roger and his girlfriend - who never said a word. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

have a word (with sb)
C2 to talk to someone for a short time
Dictionary examples:

If you have a minute, could I have a word?

I'll have a word with Simon about this.

Learner example:

Tom was not really in the mood to have a word with that annoying man. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)

give sb your word
C1 to promise someone something
Dictionary example:

Paolo gave me his word that he wouldn't tell anyone.

Learner example:

I give you my word that it will never happen again. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

take sb's word for it
C1 to believe what someone says without any proof
Dictionary example:

Take my word for it - this curry is very hot!

Learner example:

You can take my word for it that she is absolutely capable of carrying out this job - fond of children, patient, good-natured and competent. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

in other words
B2 used to explain what something means in a different way
Dictionary example:

He said he's too busy - in other words, he isn't interested.

Learner example:

They had had a great time before and had drunk too much alcohol. In other words, they were totally drunk. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)

word for word
C2 using the exact words that were originally used
Dictionary example:

She repeated word for word what he had told her.

Learner example:

This is word for word the beginning of the story that Katrina handed to her French teacher. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

in sb's words
C2 used when you repeat what someone said
Dictionary example:

In the manager's words, the game was "a total disaster."

Learner example:

In the immortal words of the bard "... if music be the food of love....... play on!" (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)

be lost for words
C2 to be so surprised, angry or moved by something that you do not know what to say
Dictionary example:

This prize is such an honor and so unexpected - I am lost for words.

Learner example:

I was so enraged that I was lost for words for quite a long time. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

at a loss for words
C2 not knowing what to say
Dictionary example:

The question was unexpected and she was temporarily at a loss for words.

Learner example:

If it was James I would be at a loss for words, I didn't know what to tell him. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

by word of mouth
C2 by one person telling another telling you
Dictionary example:

Students learned of the center by word of mouth.

Learner example:

In the past news traveled mostly by word of mouth and it took days and sometimes weeks before a person would become aware of an occurrence on the other end of the world. (International English Language Testing System; C2; English)

keep your word
C1 to do what you said you would do
Dictionary example:

He agreed to come and I'm sure he'll keep his word.

Learner example:

It turned out that the company that had been hired to organize it did not keep their word. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Norwegian)

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