write
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈaɪt/
US
- /ˈraɪt/
Description
- put words on paper
- create text
- note down ideas
- compose
To write isn't just about putting pen to paper (or fingers to a keyboard). It is the act of forming letters or symbols to share thoughts, stories, information, or even just a quick grocery list. Think of ancient scribes carefully etching hieroglyphs onto stone tablets. That was writing. But it also includes composing an email to a friend, crafting a novel, or simply jotting down a reminder.
You can write with different tools: pens, pencils, computers, or even your finger in the sand. You can write a letter, a song, a poem, or a contract. Sometimes it is about recording history ("Historians write accounts of the past"), and sometimes it is about creating something entirely new ("She writes beautiful fantasy novels"). A person who creates written works is often called an author or a writer.
The act of writing is fundamental to human communication—it's how we preserve knowledge, share ideas, and express ourselves across time and space. At its core, writing involves forming letters, words, and sentences in a meaningful sequence to convey information or create artistic expression.
It is more than just transcription; it is about composition, organization, and style. You can write a formal report for work, carefully structuring your arguments with evidence. Or you might write a personal journal entry, freely exploring your thoughts and feelings. A chef might write a recipe, detailing the ingredients and steps to create a dish. A musician writes lyrics and musical notation.
The context of "writing" is broad. It can refer to the physical act ("He's writing with a blue pen"), the creative process ("She spends hours writing each day"), or the finished product ("I enjoyed reading her latest writings"). You might even say someone writes off a debt, meaning they forgive it or remove it from their records.
Historically, writing evolved from pictographs and symbols to alphabets, allowing for increasingly complex communication. Today, with digital technology, we write emails, texts, blog posts, and countless other forms of online content. Whether it's a grand epic poem or a simple thank-you note, the power of writing lies in its ability to connect us, inform us, and inspire us.
Examples
- 1
Form
Please write your full name at the top of the form.
- 2
Pen function
This pen won't write on glossy paper.
- 3
Memory aid
I wrote the phone number down before I lost the receipt.
Phrase
write down
write something so you do not forget it
- 4
Personal letters
She writes to her brother in Canada every week.
- 5
Quick message
Can you write me a quick email when you get home?
Grammar
write someone something
create it and send it to them
- 6
Blog post
He wrote about his trip on his blog.
- 7
Book author
She wrote a children's book during the summer.
- 8
Journalism
She writes for a local newspaper.
Pattern
write for + publication
produce articles for it
- 9
Medical prescription
The doctor wrote her a prescription for the pain.
Domain
write someone a prescription
officially order medicine for them
- 10
Formal notes
I still need to write up the meeting notes.
Phrase
write up
prepare something in a full written form
- 11
Written reply
Thanks for the card. I'll write back tonight.
Phrase
write back
reply in writing
- 12
Critical judgment
A lot of critics wrote the film off before it was even released.
Phrase
write someone or something off
decide they are not worth any more attention or hope
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- writeverb
Forms
- writtenpast participleverb
- writing-ing formverb
- wrotepast tenseverb
- writesverb