26984 words

write

17 definitions • 33 examples
1
to make marks that represent letters, words, or numbers on a surface, such as paper or a computer screen, using a pen, pencil, or keyboard, or to use this method to record thoughts, facts, or messages:

Examples:

When you fill in the form, please write clearly/legibly in black ink.
[ + speech ] "I hope to see you next Saturday," she wrote.
Why not write (down) your ideas on a piece of paper before you start?
2
to send a letter or message to someone, giving them information or expressing your thoughts or feelings:

Examples:

She hasn't written to me (US also written me) recently.
[ + two objects ] I wrote my sister a letter.
[ + to infinitive ] My mother wrote to give me details about the party.
[ + -ing verb ] The travel company has written giving information about the trip.
3
to put all the information that is needed on a document:

Examples:

Please will you write (out) your name and address in full.
[ + two objects ] I wrote him a cheque for £50.
4
to create and record something, such as a book, poem, song, or computer program, on paper or on a computer:

Examples:

She writes children's books/poems.
He wrote music for films and TV shows.
The book is very well written.
5
to have the job of creating books, stories, or articles that will be published:

Examples:

6
to say something in a book, newspaper, magazine, or document:

Examples:

In the article, he writes that the problems in the refugee camps are getting worse.
7
to record information in the memory of a computer:

Examples:

There was a problem writing to the disk in the A drive.
8
to create something for other people to read or use, such as a book, poem, letter, or piece of music:

Examples:

[ T ] to write a poem/a story/a textbook
[ T ] They wrote some of the best songs of the 70s.
[ T ] They have written computer software to handle our sales records.
[ T ] Hammond wrote a letter to his mother/wrote his mother a letter.
[ I ] He writes well and is always a pleasure to read.
9
To write is also to put letters, words, numbers, or symbols on a paper, screen, or other surface using a pen, pencil, keyboard (= the keys of a computer), etc.:

Examples:

[ T ] Please write your name on the dotted line.
10
Someone whose job is to write creates articles, stories, or books to be published:

Examples:

[ I ] She writes for the New York Times.
11
To write also means to express an idea or opinion in an article, book, etc.:

Examples:

[ + that clause ] He writes that our highways are getting safer.
12

Examples:

Write your name and address on the form.
The negative figures were written in red.
14
to put all the necessary information on a form:

Examples:

They wrote me a cheque for $5,000 in compensation.
15

Examples:

The bank does not write its own insurance but offers building and contents cover through a third party.
16
to record data in the memory of a computer or a disk:

Examples:

write sth to sth The file failed to write to disk because it was too large.

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