words
[wˈɚdz] /ˈwərd How to pronounce word (audio)/ (ame, mw)
words — noun
1. separate pieces of language that carry meaning, whether people say them aloud or
separate pieces of language that carry meaning, whether people say them aloud or write them down.
Tuan copied the new words from the board into his notebook.
collocation: copy words from the board
Jisoo counted the words in her essay before sending it to the teacher.
The red sign uses only three words, but everyone understands it.
Ayana underlined the hard words in the recipe and checked them later.
- terms
more formal, often used in academic or technical contexts
- expressions
broader, and often used for longer fixed combinations rather than single items
用法筆記
This is the everyday sense used for vocabulary items in speech or writing. It often appears with verbs like learn, count, copy, spell, and underline.
常見錯誤
2. a way of naming a taboo or awkward expression by saying its opening letter inste
a way of naming a taboo or awkward expression by saying its opening letter instead of the full form.
Leo whispered that the older boys had shouted the F-word behind the gym.
pattern: the F-word / the N-word
The host joked about the C-word, then quickly changed the topic.
Manuela covered her son's ears when the man used the S-word on the bus.
The newspaper printed 'the N-word' instead of spelling the insult in full.
- euphemism
broader; covers many polite substitutions, not only letter-based forms
文法句型
the + letter + -word
用法筆記
Most often seen in patterns like the F-word or the N-word. Speakers use it when they want to mention a sensitive term without repeating it openly.
3. a few spoken remarks, or a quick conversation with someone.
a few spoken remarks, or a quick conversation with someone.
Christopher had a few words with the waiter about the cold soup.
pattern: have a few words with someone
The coach said a few words before the team ran onto the field.
Ilan exchanged a few friendly words with the new neighbor by the gate.
The sisters shared a few quiet words before the train doors closed.
文法句型
have a few words with someone
exchange a few words
用法筆記
Often appears with a few, a quiet, or a friendly. This sense covers both a short talk and a short spoken remark before an event.
4. things people say or write, considered as language rather than as separate vocab
things people say or write, considered as language rather than as separate vocabulary items.
The poet chose simple words so children could follow the story easily.
words as general language choice
Her words on the card made Grandmother cry with relief.
Cruel words can stay in a child's mind for many years.
The journalist weighed her words carefully before the live interview began.
用法筆記
This sense treats words as speech or writing in a broad way, often with emotional or moral force. It is less about counting vocabulary items than about what language does.
5. talk that sounds concerned or impressive but is not followed by any real action.
talk that sounds concerned or impressive but is not followed by any real action.
Workers wanted repairs, not words, after the factory roof collapsed.
contrast: not words, but action
The mayor's kind words did not fix the broken water pipes.
Residents said they were tired of words and delays after the storm.
All we heard were words; no one actually brought blankets or food.
文法句型
not words but action
tired of words
用法筆記
Often contrasted directly with action, help, results, or money. The speaker is usually criticizing a gap between what was said and what was done.
6. remarks that openly back, encourage, or praise a person, plan, or cause.
remarks that openly back, encourage, or praise a person, plan, or cause.
The nurse's gentle words gave Ayana courage before the operation.
supportive words that encourage someone
Fans sent words of support after the singer canceled the tour.
pattern: words of support
Tuan thanked his teacher for the warm words after the school play.
Her public words in favor of the shelter persuaded more neighbors to donate.
- encouragement
focuses more on giving confidence than on public approval
- endorsement
more formal and public, especially for policies or candidates
文法句型
words of support
words in favor of something
用法筆記
Often used with of or in favor of when the support is public. It can describe encouragement to a person or approval of an idea or campaign.
7. information that reaches someone from elsewhere, often after a period of waiting
information that reaches someone from elsewhere, often after a period of waiting.
The first words from the rescue team were reassuring after the landslide.
pattern: words from [person/group]
Pim waited all week for words from his son in Seoul.
By noon, worried families were still waiting for words from the ferry.
The late-night words said the mountain road had finally reopened.
文法句型
words from someone
words that-clause
用法筆記
Often appears in patterns like words from someone or wait for words. In modern everyday English, singular word is more common, while plural words can sound slightly more literary or emphasize several reported details.
8. spoken assurances that commit someone to doing something or keeping something tr
spoken assurances that commit someone to doing something or keeping something true.
The captain's last words were a promise that he would return for the climber.
words were a promise that-clause
Her calm words to the children were a promise that no one was abandoned.
The judge treated the company's public words as a promise to repay customers.
To Mia, his words were more than comfort; they were a real promise.
文法句型
words were a promise
take words as a promise
用法筆記
Used when spoken language itself carries the force of a commitment. It overlaps with promise, but the focus stays on the spoken assurance rather than on a formal agreement.
9. spoken instructions that tell people what to do and expect immediate obedience.
spoken instructions that tell people what to do and expect immediate obedience.
The sergeant's words sent the sleepy recruits running into the yard.
words functioning as an immediate command
At her mother's sharp words, Manuela put the phone away at once.
pattern: at someone's words
The coach's words brought every player back to the bench in silence.
One burst of words from the foreman stopped the machine checks immediately.
文法句型
at someone's words
words sent someone somewhere
用法筆記
This sense is stronger and more immediate than the general MESSAGE sense. The words themselves function like an instruction that people are expected to follow.
10. the lines that are sung or spoken in a song, stage work, or script.
the lines that are sung or spoken in a song, stage work, or script.
Jisoo forgot the last words of the chorus during rehearsal.
words of a song section
The actor penciled new words into the margin of his script.
script lines revised in writing
The children sang the same words again while the drummer fixed the beat.
The musical's closing words made the audience fall completely silent.
文法句型
words of a song
words in a script
用法筆記
Use this sense for lyrics in songs and for spoken lines in plays or musicals. It points to the text itself, not to the performance or melody.
11. sharp talk between people who are arguing in anger.
sharp talk between people who are arguing in anger.
The neighbors had angry words over the barking dog at midnight.
pattern: have angry words over something
After a few sharp words in the kitchen, Christopher walked outside to cool off.
The drivers exchanged heated words beside the blocked bridge.
One rude customer left the cafe after harsh words with the cashier.
文法句型
have words with someone
exchange heated words
用法筆記
Usually appears in patterns like have words with someone or exchange words. Unlike the BRIEF EXCHANGE sense, this one clearly involves anger or conflict.
words — verb
- wordspresent simple I / you / we / they
- wordses3rd person singular
- wordsing-ing form
- wordsedpast simple
1. to shape an idea with particular language when you speak or write it.
to shape an idea with particular language when you speak or write it.
Jisoo words her emails politely when she must refuse a request.
word + object + adverb
The lawyer words each question carefully during interviews with witnesses.
Ayana usually words bad news gently for worried families at the clinic.
The poster words the safety warning in simple language for children.
文法句型
word + object + adverb
word + object + in + noun phrase
用法筆記
The focus is on how something is phrased, not just on the message itself. It is often used with adverbs like carefully, politely, clearly, or badly.