write

write — verb

1. to produce written text by moving a pen across a page or pressing keys, so that

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA1
Definition

to produce written text by moving a pen across a page or pressing keys, so that the marks that appear can be seen and understood by others.

Example

Aaron wrote his name at the top of the first page in blue ink.

write + noun phrase (object of writing)

The teacher asked the children to write each new word three times.

passive structure: ask + object + to-write

Common collocations
  • write in pencil
  • write on paper
  • write down
  • write neatly
  • write legibly
Synonyms
  • scribble

    to write quickly or carelessly, often in a way that is hard to read

  • jot down

    to write something quickly, especially a note or piece of information

  • note

    to write something down so that you remember it; more deliberate than jot

Antonyms
  • erase

    to remove written marks from a surface

  • read

    to look at written words and understand them, the complementary opposite action

Grammar Patterns

write + noun phrase

write + adverb/prepositional phrase

write down + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used with a direct object (write a letter, write your name). When no object is given, the context is usually about the physical activity itself (She is learning to write). The phrasal verb write down means to record information on paper so that it is not forgotten.

Common Mistakes

I wrote a word in the paper.
I wrote a word on the paper.
We write on a surface, not in it (unless 'in' refers to a notebook).
Please write it with a pencil.
Please write it in pencil.
Use 'in' for the material (pencil, ink) and 'with' for the tool (a pen, a pencil).

2. to get in touch with someone through a written message — a letter, an email, or

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

to get in touch with someone through a written message — a letter, an email, or a note — so that you can tell them your news or share what you are thinking about.

Example

Kofi wrote to his grandmother every Sunday when he studied in Canada.

intransitive: write to + person (recipient)

Jisoo wrote a long email about her new life in Seoul and sent it to her family.

coordinate verbs: wrote + [email] + sent + to [recipient]

Common collocations
  • write to someone
  • write about
  • write back
  • write a letter
  • write home
Synonyms
  • correspond

    to exchange letters regularly; more formal than write

  • drop a line

    informal; to send a short letter or message to someone

  • message

    to send someone a short written message, especially by phone or computer

Grammar Patterns

write + to + person

write + someone + a letter

write + that-clause

Usage Note

When the recipient is mentioned, use to (write to someone). In British English it is also possible to say write someone (without to) in formal contexts, but write to someone is the standard pattern for learners. American English commonly uses write someone.

Common Mistakes

I wrote her a letter last week, but she didn't reply.' (correct usage) — This is fine. The mistake is: ❌ 'I wrote to her a letter.
I wrote a letter to her.
The object (a letter) goes before to + recipient.

3. to put the necessary personal or factual details onto an official document such

3.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to put the necessary personal or factual details onto an official document such as a form, cheque, or application.

Example

Dewi wrote her phone number on the application form in black ink.

write + information + on + document

Please write your full address in capital letters on the first line.

imperative + instruction format

Common collocations
  • write a cheque
  • write in the box
  • write on the form
  • write your signature
Synonyms
  • fill in

    to complete a form by adding the required information; more common in British English

  • fill out

    same as fill in but more common in American English

  • complete

    more formal; to finish writing all the necessary details on a document

Grammar Patterns

write + noun phrase (information) + in/on + document

Usage Note

This sense is commonly used with documents that require specific pieces of information (forms, cheques, applications). The preposition on is used for the document itself (on the form), while in is used for a specific area of the document (in the box, in the space provided).

Common Mistakes

I wrote my name in the form.
I wrote my name on the form.
For the document as a whole, use on.
Write a cheque of $100.
Write a cheque for $100.
The amount follows for.

4. to bring into existence a new piece of creative or technical work — for example,

4.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to bring into existence a new piece of creative or technical work — for example, a novel, song lyrics, or software code — by arranging words, musical symbols, or programming instructions.

Example

Mathieu wrote a short song for his sister's birthday celebration.

write + song + for + person (recipient)

Esme is writing a computer program that sorts family photos by date.

present continuous: write + computer program + relative clause

Common collocations
  • write a book
  • write a poem
  • write music
  • write code
  • write a song
  • write an article
Synonyms
  • compose

    more formal; to create music, poetry, or formal writing

  • draft

    to write a preliminary version of something that will be improved later

  • author

    to be the writer of a book, article, or report; formal

Grammar Patterns

write + noun phrase (a book, a song, a poem, code)

Usage Note

When the object is a piece of creative work (book, poem, song, software), this sense focuses on the act of composing original content. For musical works, write covers both lyrics and instrumental composition. For computer programs, write code is the standard expression.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'She wrote a story for the newspaper.' — This is correct, but note that for newspaper articles, sense 1 (the physical act) and sense 4 (composing) overlap. Use sense 4 when the focus is on the creative process, not the medium.

I wrote the test yesterday.
I took the test yesterday.
Write means to create, not to sit an exam.

5. to spend your time or earn your living producing text — like novels, news articl

5.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to spend your time or earn your living producing text — like novels, news articles, or short stories — that appears in print or online for people to read.

Example

Lakshmi writes about science for a popular monthly magazine.

write about [topic] + for [publication]

Aaron writes crime stories that take place in a small Scottish town.

write + genre + relative clause describing setting

Common collocations
  • write for a living
  • write about politics
  • write for a magazine
  • write professionally
Synonyms
  • be an author

    a person who writes books professionally; more formal than 'writer'

  • be a journalist

    a person who writes for newspapers or magazines as a job

  • contribute to

    to write articles for a newspaper, magazine, or website occasionally

Grammar Patterns

write + for + publication

write + about + topic

write + genre

Usage Note

This sense is intransitive — the object is not the text being written (which belongs to sense 4), but rather the field, genre, or publication. Use for to name the publication (write for a newspaper), about to name the topic (write about politics), or name the genre directly (write poetry, write novels).

Common Mistakes

He writes for a living.' — Correct. But note: ❌ 'He writes a living.
He writes for a living.
The expression is for a living, not as a direct object.

6. used to report what a particular book, article, document, or notice says or clai

6.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

used to report what a particular book, article, document, or notice says or claims in its written content.

Example

The guidebook writes that the museum opens at nine in the morning.

write + that-clause (reporting content)

The article writes that eating too much processed sugar poses serious health risks.

write + that-clause (reporting from a document / formal register)

Common collocations
  • it is written that
  • the report writes
  • the article writes about
Synonyms
  • state

    to express something clearly and formally in writing; more common than write for this sense

  • say

    the most common verb for reporting the content of a written source; less formal than state

  • claim

    to state something that may not be proven; used when the writer is reporting but not agreeing

Grammar Patterns

write + that-clause

it is written + that-clause

Usage Note

This sense is most common in formal or published contexts. Unlike sense 1 or 2, the subject is a text or document, not a person. The passive form it is written that... is common in formal and legal English. Use says or states instead of writes in everyday conversation for the same meaning.

Common Mistakes

The book writes that...' — This is correct in formal English. However, ❌ 'The book writes about...' is less common;
say or state is preferred: 'The book says that...' or 'The book states that...'.

7. to save or record information onto a computer's storage device, such as a hard d

7.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to save or record information onto a computer's storage device, such as a hard drive, memory card, or USB stick, so that it can be retrieved later.

Example

The camera writes each photo directly onto a small memory card.

device subject: writes + data + onto [location]

Joon wrote the data to an external drive for extra safety.

write + data + to [location] (purpose clause)

Common collocations
  • write to a disk
  • write data
  • write to a drive
  • write a file
Synonyms
  • save

    more common in everyday use; to store data so that it is not lost

  • record

    to store audio, video, or data onto a device for later use

  • burn

    to write data to a CD or DVD using a laser; informal

Antonyms
  • delete

    to remove data from a storage device

  • erase

    to remove all data from a storage device; more thorough than delete

  • read

    to access data from a storage device; the complementary operation

Grammar Patterns

write + data + to + storage device

Usage Note

The computing sense of write uses to (write to a disk) or onto (write onto a drive), not on. The noun write in computing (as in disk write) is a related technical term. The more common everyday word for this action is save; write is more technical.

Common Mistakes

I wrote the photos on the CD.
I wrote the photos to the CD.
In computing, the preposition is to or onto, not on.
I wrote a backup.' (ambiguous)
I wrote the backup to the external hard drive.
Specify the destination to avoid confusion with other senses.
Phrasal verbs

write away

phrasal verb

To send a letter to a company or organization to order something or ask for information.

Mia wrote away for a free sample of the new shampoo.

Did you write away to get the travel brochure?

write back

phrasal verb

To reply to someone by letter.

Aiden wrote back to his grandmother within a week.

Please write back soon and tell me your news.

write down

phrasal verb

To record information on paper by writing it.

Sara wrote down the phone number on a napkin.

Can you write down the directions for me?

write in

phrasal verb

To send a letter to an organization to express an opinion or ask a question.

Viewers wrote in to complain about the show's ending.

Did you write in to the magazine with your question?

write into

phrasal verb

To include something in a document, especially a contract or law, by writing it.

The clause was written into the agreement at the last minute.

They wrote a penalty for late payment into the contract.

write off

phrasal verb

To accept that a debt or amount of money will not be paid or recovered, or to decide that someone or something is not important.

The bank wrote off the loan as a loss.

Don't write off the team just because they lost one game.

write out

phrasal verb

To write something in full form, or to write something formally, especially a document or list.

Please write out your full name and address.

The doctor wrote out a prescription for antibiotics.

write up

phrasal verb

To write a report, article, or notes in a clear and finished form, often based on rough notes.

Maya wrote up her lab report after the experiment.

Can you write up the meeting notes by tomorrow?

Idioms

be written all over somebody’s face

idiom

A person's feelings or thoughts are very clear from the expression on their face.

Excitement was written all over Maya's face when she opened the gift.

Was disappointment written all over his face after the game?

have something/somebody written all over it/somebody

idiom

Something clearly shows a particular quality or the influence of a specific person.

The new café has Sara's artistic style written all over it.

That speech had the teacher's influence written all over it.

nothing (much) to write home about

idiom

Not very good or special; just average.

The movie was okay, but nothing to write home about.

Diego said the restaurant's food was nothing much to write home about.

not worth the paper it’s written/printed on

idiom

Something, especially a document or promise, has no real value or is not reliable.

The contract was not worth the paper it was printed on.

His apology is not worth the paper it's written on.

that’s all she wrote

idiom

Used to say that something has ended completely and there is nothing more to add.

The power went out, and that's all she wrote for our movie night.

We missed the last train, so that's all she wrote.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These four verbs all describe putting words on a surface, but they differ in speed, care, and purpose. Write is the general word — neutral and widely used for any situation from taking notes to composing a novel. Scribble suggests quick, careless writing that may be hard to read, like a child scribbling on a page or someone scribbling a note in a hurry. Jot down means to write something briefly and quickly, especially as a reminder (jot down a phone number). Note (as a verb) is more deliberate than jot and focuses on recording important information so you will remember it (note the date in your diary). To choose the right word: if you are just remembering something, use jot down; if you are making a careful record for later reference, use note; if the result is messy and rushed, use scribble.

write ↗scribblejot downnote ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Write comes from the Old English word wrītan, which originally meant 'to scratch, carve, or engrave' marks onto a surface — a time when writing was literally cutting runes into wood or stone. This Germanic root (also found in Old Norse rīta 'to scratch, write') gradually shifted from the physical act of carving to the abstract act of recording language with symbols. The meaning expanded over centuries from carving runes to using ink on parchment, and eventually to typing on a keyboard or saving digital data.