word
word — verb
1. to pick the best words to communicate a thought in speech or writing, adjusting
to pick the best words to communicate a thought in speech or writing, adjusting the phrasing to produce the desired effect on the listener or reader
The committee asked Yan to word the statement so that no one would feel blamed.
word + direct object + purpose clause
Nadia worded her wedding invitation with great care to include both families equally.
worded + noun phrase + prepositional phrase of manner
The apology letter was worded too formally, and it sounded insincere to the staff.
Rohan worded his resignation letter so well that his boss offered him a promotion instead.
The survey questions were worded in a confusing way, which led to unreliable results.
文法句型
word + noun phrase + adverb
be worded + adverb
word + noun phrase + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Often used with adverbs describing the quality or effect of the phrasing (carefully, politely, badly, clearly, vaguely). Passive constructions are frequent because the focus is usually on the phrasing itself rather than who produced it.
常見錯誤
word — noun
1. a distinct unit of speech or writing that communicates a particular meaning, suc
a distinct unit of speech or writing that communicates a particular meaning, such as 'garden' or 'slowly'
Ritu learned five new English words from the dictionary this morning.
collocation: learn a word / learn words
Write down every word the teacher says during the lesson.
The word 'library' has seven letters in it.
Nadia looked up the word 'courage' in her pocket dictionary before writing her essay.
- term
more technical or formal, often used in specialized contexts like medicine or law
- lexical item
very technical, used mainly in linguistics, not everyday speech
用法筆記
This is the core sense of 'word' that learners encounter first. A word can be spoken aloud or written down, and different languages arrange words in different orders.
常見錯誤
2. a way of referring to a taboo or offensive word by saying only its first letter
a way of referring to a taboo or offensive word by saying only its first letter instead of the full form, as in 'the F-word' or 'the N-word'
Hannah told her friend she heard the F-word during the argument at the party.
pattern: the F-word / the S-word / the N-word
The TV show bleeped out the S-word while Brian was watching with his kids.
My grandmother is old-fashioned — she says 'the D-word' when she means 'divorce'.
At the dinner table, Mira's little brother kept asking what the B-word means.
- euphemism
broader term covering any mild replacement for a harsh word, not just one starting with a letter
用法筆記
Only the first letter is spoken or written; the full taboo word is not uttered. Common letters: F, S, N, C, D. This pattern can also be extended humorously to non-taboo topics ('the E-word' for exercise).
常見錯誤
3. a short spoken remark or brief discussion about something, such as giving advice
a short spoken remark or brief discussion about something, such as giving advice, saying thanks, or sharing an opinion
Paloma said a few words of thanks to the volunteers who helped her move house.
pattern: a few words of [thanks / advice / warning]
Before the test, the teacher said a word of encouragement that made the class smile.
pattern: a word of [encouragement / advice / warning]
Rania caught the teacher after class for a quick word about her exam grade.
During the meeting, Yumi gave a word of warning about the upcoming budget cuts.
文法句型
have a word with [someone]
a word of [something]
a few words
常見錯誤
4. spoken or written statements that are not matched by any real action or follow-t
spoken or written statements that are not matched by any real action or follow-through, often used critically
The committee's promises were just words — no one actually changed anything in the end.
collocation: just words
Jiwoo is tired of hearing empty words from leaders who never keep their campaign promises.
collocation: empty words
A good manager knows that actions speak louder than words when earning the team's trust.
The mayor's speech was full of fine words, but the homeless shelter never got built.
- empty talk
similar meaning but slightly more informal, emphasises the lack of content
- hot air
informal, more dismissive tone, suggests boastfulness too
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the fixed phrases 'just words', 'empty words', and 'mere words'. The contrast is always between what is said and what is actually done.
常見錯誤
5. to have a brief, friendly conversation with someone, typically about everyday ma
to have a brief, friendly conversation with someone, typically about everyday matters
Anya exchanged a few words with the librarian before heading to her morning class.
pattern: exchange a few words with [someone]
Élise and Brian exchanged words about the weather while waiting for the school bus.
The two neighbours stopped on the street to exchange words about the new café nearby.
Nadia and the bus driver exchanged a few words about the traffic on the highway.
- chat
more informal, can be longer than 'exchanging a few words'
- talk briefly
slightly more general, not tied to a fixed phrase
文法句型
exchange words + with + [someone]
exchange a few words + with + [someone]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 6: 'exchange words' in this sense is always friendly or neutral. If the exchange is angry or involves a quarrel, sense 6 applies. Adding 'a few' helps signal the friendly reading: 'exchange a few words' is almost always sense 5.
常見錯誤
6. to argue or quarrel angrily with someone, often over a disagreement or wrongdoin
to argue or quarrel angrily with someone, often over a disagreement or wrongdoing
Tendai and his neighbour had words over the loud construction work at dawn.
pattern: have words over [something]
The two players exchanged angry words after the referee made a controversial call.
pattern: exchange [adjective] words
Ritu's parents had words with the school principal about unfair treatment of students at lunch.
Two committee members exchanged sharp words over who should take the blame for the delay.
- reconciliation
the opposite outcome — making peace after a quarrel
文法句型
have words + with + [someone]
exchange words + with + [someone]
exchange harsh / angry / sharp words
用法筆記
The phrase 'have words' always signals an argument, never a friendly chat. 'Exchange words' can be either friendly (sense 5) or angry (sense 6) — look at context and adjectives ('angry words', 'harsh words') to determine which sense applies.
常見錯誤
7. a brief, serious talk in which you point out to someone that their behaviour was
a brief, serious talk in which you point out to someone that their behaviour was unacceptable or that they made an error
After the boy talked back, the principal asked for a word with him.
have a word with [person] — brief disciplinary talk
Shirin was in trouble when her manager called her in for a quiet word.
quiet word — euphemism for a reprimand
Tara's dad asked for a word with her after she came home past curfew.
Erik's mother had a word with him about his rude behaviour at the dinner table.
The manager had a quiet word with Quinn about arriving late to work every day.
文法句型
have a word with [person]
8. a single spoken sound or group of sounds that carries meaning, especially used w
a single spoken sound or group of sounds that carries meaning, especially used when talking about someone learning to speak or choosing not to speak
The baby said her first word at eleven months old, and her parents were thrilled.
first word — baby's initial spoken word
Élise was so upset that she could not get a word out for several minutes.
not get a word out — unable to speak due to emotion
Asher did not utter a single word during the meeting, even when asked directly.
The old man's last word before he passed away was a whisper of gratitude.
- utterance
more formal, often used in academic or linguistic contexts
用法筆記
Commonly used in negative constructions ('not a word', 'without a word') or with possessive adjectives ('my first word', 'his last word').
9. a spoken statement of praise or support made to help someone get a job, an oppor
a spoken statement of praise or support made to help someone get a job, an opportunity, or acceptance into a group
Marco's old manager put in a good word when he applied for the new job.
put in a good word for [person] — recommend someone
João got the internship because a professor put in a word for him.
If you know the director, could you put in a good word for my application?
Imani's teacher put in a word for her with the scholarship committee.
- recommendation
more formal and usually written rather than spoken
- reference
a formal written statement of support, not just a spoken one
文法句型
put in a good word for [person]
10. news or information passed from one person or place to another, especially when
news or information passed from one person or place to another, especially when the details are not yet fully known
Word came that the hospital had found a suitable donor for the operation.
word came that… — news arrived
Rin sent word to her family that she had arrived safely in Taipei.
send word — send a message
We received word that the flight was cancelled due to the storm.
No word has come from the rescue team since they entered the cave.
文法句型
word came that…
send word
receive word
用法筆記
Always used without an article ('word came', not 'a word came'), and cannot be pluralised in this sense.
常見錯誤
11. a firm promise or assurance about something you commit to doing, often used in f
a firm promise or assurance about something you commit to doing, often used in fixed phrases like 'give your word' or 'keep your word'
I gave Dewi my word that I would help her move into her new apartment.
give [someone] your word — make a promise
Justin kept his word and returned the money on Friday, just as promised.
keep your word — do what you promised
I will not break my word — you can count on me to be there.
My grandmother was a woman of her word, so everyone trusted her.
文法句型
give [possessive] word
keep [possessive] word
break [possessive] word
用法筆記
Always used with a possessive adjective ('my word', 'his word') when referring to a specific promise. Cannot be modified by adjectives or used in the plural.
常見錯誤
12. an order or command, typically given verbally by someone in a position of author
an order or command, typically given verbally by someone in a position of authority, telling others when to start or stop an action
The general gave the word for the soldiers to begin their advance at dawn.
give the word — give an order to begin
Everyone stood at the line, waiting for the coach to give the word to go.
Nora was packed and ready to leave the moment her supervisor gave the word.
The referee gave the word and the boxers stepped forward to begin the match.
文法句型
give the word
word of command
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article ('give the word'), never 'a word' or 'words', in this sense.
常見錯誤
word — exclamation
1. a slang exclamation used in Black American speech and hip-hop contexts to show y
a slang exclamation used in Black American speech and hip-hop contexts to show you fully agree with what was just said
Omar said, "That beat is fire!" and Jabari replied, "Word!"
interjection showing strong agreement
Mei told everyone the exam was cancelled, and Minh nodded and said, "Word."
Asher said practice was over early, and Ignacio grinned and said, "Word!"
Beatriz said the party was going to be epic, and Ayana grinned and said, "Word!"
用法筆記
Typically said with emphasis and accompanied by a nod. Only used in very casual conversation among friends.
常見錯誤
2. a slang exclamation used in Black American speech and hip-hop contexts to react
a slang exclamation used in Black American speech and hip-hop contexts to react with surprise to something just said and ask whether it is really true
Christopher said he had never eaten sushi, and Noa looked at him and asked, "Word?"
rising intonation signals a question
Ignacio claimed he could run a mile in four minutes. Asher raised an eyebrow. "Word?"
Bilal said he saw a shooting star, and Bao looked up and said, "Word?"
Aoi mentioned the store was giving away free food, and Wren asked, "Word?"
- for real?
same discourse function and register
- seriously?
more widely used across different social groups
- you kidding?
slightly more confrontational tone
用法筆記
Spoken with rising intonation to show surprise. The speaker expects the other person to confirm or explain what was just said.