A word is a single unit of language that can be represented in writing or speech. In English, a word has a space on either side of it when it is written.

Someone's words are what they say or write.

The words of a song consist of the text that is sung, in contrast to the music that is played.

If you have a word with someone, you have a short conversation with them.

If you offer someone a word of something such as warning, advice, or praise, you warn, advise, or praise them.

If you say that someone does not hear, understand, or say a word, you are emphasizing that they hear, understand, or say nothing at all.

If there is word of something, people receive news or information about it.

If you give your word, you make a sincere promise to someone.

If someone gives the word to do something, they give an order to do it.

To word something in a particular way means to choose or use particular words to express it.

If you say that people consider something to be a dirty word, you mean that they disapprove of it.

If you say that someone has to eat their words, you mean that they have to admit that they were wrong about something they said in the past, especially when this makes them look foolish.

A person of few words says very little, especially about their opinions or feelings.

If you do something from the word go, you do it from the very beginning of a period of time or situation.

If you hang on someone's every word, you listen very carefully to what they are saying, because you admire or respect them.

You can use expressions such as never have a good word to say or never have a bad word to say to emphasize that a person always criticizes someone or something, or that they never criticize them.

If one person has words with another, or if two or more people have words, they have a serious discussion or argument, especially because one has complained about the other's behaviour.

You can use in their words or in their own words to indicate that you are reporting what someone said using the exact words that they used.

You use in a word to indicate that you are giving a summary of what you have just been saying, or are giving a reply, in as brief a way as possible.

If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision.

If you say that something is the last word in luxury, comfort, or some other quality, you are emphasizing that it has a great deal of this quality.

If someone is lost for words, they cannot think of anything to say, especially because they are very surprised by something.

If you say that someone has said something, but not in so many words, you mean that they said it or expressed it, but in a very indirect way.

If you say 'mark my words' to someone, you are emphasizing that something you have just warned them about is very likely to happen, especially when you think they should change their attitude or behaviour to prevent it.

If news or information passes by word of mouth, people tell it to each other rather than it being printed in written form.

If you say that someone is putting words into your mouth or is putting words in your mouth, you mean that they are suggesting that you mean one thing when you really mean something different.

If you refer to someone as a man of his word or a woman of her word, you mean that they always keep their promises and can be relied on.

You say in other words in order to introduce a different, and usually simpler, explanation or interpretation of something that has just been said.

If you say something in your own words, you express it in your own way, without copying or repeating someone else's description.

If you pass the word, you tell someone something that another person has told you.

If someone says the word, they give their approval as a sign that something should start to happen.

If you spread the word, you tell people about something.

If you take someone at their word, you believe what they say, when they did not really mean it or when they meant something slightly different.

If you say to someone 'take my word for it', you mean that they should believe you because you are telling the truth.

You can use expressions such as too silly for words and too ridiculous for words to emphasize that someone or something is extremely silly or ridiculous.

If you are true to your word or as good as your word, you do what you say you will do.

If you repeat something word for word, you repeat it exactly as it was originally said or written.