write

verb

ˈrīt

wrote ˈrōt

; written ˈri-tᵊn

also writ ˈrit

or dialectal wrote; writing ˈrī-tiŋ

Synonyms of write next

transitive verb

: to form (characters, symbols, etc.) on a surface with an instrument (such as a pen)

: to form (words) by inscribing characters or symbols on a surface

write one's name

: to spell in writing

words written alike but pronounced differently

: to cover, fill, or fill in by writing

wrote ten pages

write a check

: to set down in writing: such as

: draw up, draft

write a will

b(1)

: to be the author of : compose

writes poems and essays

(2)

: to compose in musical form

write a string quartet

: to express in literary form

if I could write the beauty of your eyes—

William Shakespeare

: to communicate by letter

writes that they are coming

: to use or exhibit (a specific script, language, or literary form or style) in writing

write braille

writes French with ease

: to write contracts or orders for

especially : underwrite

write life insurance

: to make a permanent impression of

: to communicate with in writing

we'll write you when we get there

: ordain, fate

so be it, it is written—

D. C. Peattie

: to make evident or obvious

guilt written on his face

: to force, effect, introduce, or remove by writing

write oneself into fame and fortune—

Charles Lee

: to take part in or bring about (something worth recording)

: to introduce (information) into the storage device or medium of a computer

: to transfer (information) from the main memory of a computer to a storage or output device

: sell

write a stock option

intransitive verb

: to make significant characters or inscriptions

also : to permit or be adapted to writing

: to form or produce written letters, words, or sentences

: to compose, communicate by, or send a letter

: to produce a written work

: to compose music

Phrases

write one's own ticket

: to select a course of action or position entirely according to one's wishes

writ large

: on a larger scale or in a more prominent manner

the problems of modern totalitarianism are only our own problems writ large—

The Times Literary Supplement (London)

writ small

: on a smaller scale

Example Sentences

children learning to read and write I don't have anything to write with. Could I borrow a pen? Please write your name at the top of each sheet. Write the number as a decimal instead of as a fraction. She wrote “tag sale” on the sign in big letters. The note was written in blue ink. I mistakenly wrote her name as “Gene” instead of “Jean.” She wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime. She wrote an essay comparing two poems. I'm writing an article for the school newspaper. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Some of my customers use journals as a way to track their dreams; some people write their goals. —

Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 12 Apr. 2023 The new information confirms Fox News reporting from August, when NARA acting head Debra Wall wrote a letter to Trump's attorney alluding to the administration's involvement. —

Michael Lee, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2023 Joe writes from his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. —

Brett Martin, Popular Mechanics, 11 Apr. 2023 True, the New Left historian Walter LaFeber, not quite as famous as Zinn, but still an academic icon, had obviously not yet written his account of the global capitalism of Air Jordans. —

Meg Jacobs, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023 Bill Hader's directing makes 'Barry' one of the best series on TV Hader directs all seven episodes screened for critics, and wrote two of them. —

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2023 Radio Silence and Project X are coming off of the strong success of Scream VI, which Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett directed, Project X produced, Radio Silence’s Villella executive produced and Project X’s Vanderbilt co-wrote. —

Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2023 The best bear sprays need to have good range and, as of writing this, 40 feet is the best range available in a deterrent effective on all bear species. —

Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2023 VanderMeer’s later writing rarely puts you quite so straightforwardly on the side of the able-bodied and unmonstrous. —

Noah Berlatsky, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'write.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.