one-word

IPA/wˈɒnwˈɜːd/
IPA/wˈʌnwˈɜːd/

one-word — adjective

1. made up of, or expressed using, only a single word

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

made up of, or expressed using, only a single word

Example

Olivia gave the reporter a one-word answer and walked off the stage.

pattern: a one-word answer

When asked about the rumor, the coach offered a one-word reply: "No."

pattern: a one-word reply, often followed by a quote

Common collocations
  • a one-word answer
  • a one-word reply
  • a one-word response
  • a one-word title
  • a one-word name
Synonyms
  • monosyllabic

    is more formal and often suggests the person is being unfriendly or unwilling to talk

  • terse

    describes any short, blunt reply, not strictly limited to a single word

  • brief

    is much broader and can describe any short message, spoken or written

Antonyms
  • long-winded

    describes a reply that uses far more words than needed, the opposite extreme

  • detailed

    suggests a response that gives full explanation rather than a single word

Grammar Patterns

a one-word answer / reply / response

give a one-word [noun]

one-word [title / name]

Usage Note

Used only before a noun, not after a linking verb. The hyphen is required in this position; without a noun, you would say the answer was one word, not the answer was one-word. The phrase often carries a small note of bluntness, especially with answer, reply, or response — a one-word answer can sound curt or unwilling to explain.

Common Mistakes

Her answer was one-word.
Her answer was just one word.
without a following noun, drop the hyphen and use one word as two separate words.
He gave a one word reply.
He gave a one-word reply.
when it sits before a noun, the hyphen is required to mark it as a single adjective.

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

This compound joins one and word, both core English vocabulary going back to Old English. Hyphenating two everyday words to form an attributive adjective is a regular pattern in modern English, used to describe something defined by a count of its parts, like two-page report or three-hour meeting.