writing

writing — noun

1. the particular way a person forms letters when using a pen or pencil, which is u

1.nounA2
Definition

the particular way a person forms letters when using a pen or pencil, which is unique enough that others can recognize who wrote something

Example

Defne's writing is so neat that everyone compliments her notes.

possessive + writing for recognizing style

Leo recognised his grandmother's writing on the envelope before opening it.

Common collocations
  • neat writing
  • clear writing
  • small writing
  • recognize someone's writing
Synonyms
  • handwriting

    more common term for the physical act and style of writing by hand

  • pennanship

    older or more formal term for handwriting skill, less common in everyday speech

  • script

    focuses on the type of letter forms used, such as cursive or print

Grammar Patterns

possessive + writing

Usage Note

Uncountable. Refers to the physical appearance of letters, not the content of what is written. Frequently used with a possessive (her writing, his writing).

Common Mistakes

I like your writing on this topic.' (when you mean the content)
I like your writing style in the letter.
'writing' alone can mean content; add 'style' or 'handwriting' to refer to letter shapes.

2. marks made with a pen, pencil, printer, or other tool on paper or another surfac

2.nounA2
Definition

marks made with a pen, pencil, printer, or other tool on paper or another surface, forming words or messages that people can read

Example

There was strange writing on the wall that nobody could explain.

there is + writing + preposition phrase

Élise found some faded writing on the back of the old photograph.

Common collocations
  • faded writing
  • tiny writing
  • handwritten writing
  • writing on the wall
Synonyms
  • text

    more general; can refer to printed or digital words as well as handwritten ones

  • words

    emphasises the linguistic content rather than the visual marks

  • inscription

    formal term for writing carved or engraved on a hard surface

Grammar Patterns

there is + writing + preposition

writing + on + surface

Usage Note

Uncountable. Focuses on the visible text itself, not the meaning or the style. Distinguish from sense 1 (HANDWRITING STYLE): this sense is about the words that are on the page, not how they look.

Common Mistakes

The writing on the note was beautiful.' (ambiguous)
The handwriting on the note was beautiful.
use 'handwriting' for style; 'writing' alone may refer to the words themselves.

3. stories, poems, articles, and similar texts that belong to a single author or a

3.nounB1
Definition

stories, poems, articles, and similar texts that belong to a single author or a specific group, commonly examined as a body of work or tradition

Example

The course covers the writing of women in 19th-century Japan.

the writing of + group

Eitan's essay explores the writing of immigrant communities in New York.

Common collocations
  • travel writing
  • political writing
  • creative writing
  • the writing of [group/period]
Synonyms
  • works

    often used in plural; can include non-literary works such as art or music

  • literature

    broader term for written works of lasting artistic value

  • oeuvre

    formal term from French for the complete body of an artist's work

Grammar Patterns

the writing of + group/period

possessive + writing

Usage Note

Uncountable. Often modified by a place, period, or group name ('African writing', 'Victorian writing'). Distinguish from sense 7 (PUBLISHED COLLECTION): this sense can include unpublished work and is broader in scope.

Common Mistakes

I bought the writings of Gabriel García Márquez.' (sense 7 meaning)
I studied the writing of Gabriel García Márquez in my literature class.
'writing' (uncountable) for the body of work as a subject; 'writings' (plural) for published collections.

4. the activity or job of creating books, articles, stories, or other texts, either

4.nounA2
Definition

the activity or job of creating books, articles, stories, or other texts, either as a profession or a personal practice

Example

Benjamin spends every morning doing creative writing in his study.

do + [adjective] + writing

After years in journalism, Kofi decided to focus on travel writing full-time.

focus on + [type] + writing

Common collocations
  • creative writing
  • academic writing
  • business writing
  • do writing
  • focus on writing
Synonyms
  • composition

    more formal; often used in academic contexts for the act of writing an essay or piece

  • authorship

    formal term for the profession or act of being a writer

  • drafting

    focuses on the early stage of producing written work before revision

Grammar Patterns

do + writing

focus on + writing

writing + noun (e.g. writing class)

Usage Note

Uncountable. Commonly appears in compound nouns describing a type or field of writing ('business writing', 'fiction writing'). Distinguish from sense 5 (FORMING LETTERS): this sense involves composing ideas, not the physical act of forming letters.

Common Mistakes

My son is learning writing in preschool.
My son is learning to write in preschool.
for the basic skill of forming letters, use 'learn to write' or 'handwriting', not 'writing' alone in this sense.

5. the basic ability or act of producing letters and words by hand using a pen, pen

5.nounA1
Definition

the basic ability or act of producing letters and words by hand using a pen, pencil, or similar tool on a surface

Example

The children practice writing every morning by copying letters into their books.

practice + writing

Ryo's younger sister is learning writing and counting at preschool.

learning + writing + and + [other basic skill]

Common collocations
  • learn writing
  • practice writing
  • reading and writing
  • teach writing
Synonyms
  • handwriting

    often used interchangeably for the physical act in educational contexts

  • letter formation

    more technical term used by teachers for how letters are shaped

  • penmanship

    older, more formal term for the skill of writing by hand

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

learn + writing

practice + writing

reading and writing

Usage Note

Uncountable. Commonly paired with 'reading' as paired literacy skills. Distinguish from sense 4 (WRITING WORK): this sense is about the mechanical skill of forming characters, not the creative or professional act of composing texts.

Common Mistakes

She is studying writing at university.' (ambiguous — sounds like sense 4)
She is studying creative writing at university.
for the professional/creative activity, specify the type of writing.

6. information recorded using letters or symbols on paper or in a document so that

6.nounB1
Definition

information recorded using letters or symbols on paper or in a document so that it can be kept as a record, rather than communicated only by speech

Example

The manager asked Ari to put the complaint in writing for the team.

put + [object] + in writing

Ritu prefers to receive instructions in writing rather than over the phone.

in writing (prepositional phrase)

Common collocations
  • in writing
  • put something in writing
  • confirm in writing
  • receive in writing
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

put + something + in writing

have + something + in writing

in writing

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the fixed prepositional phrase 'in writing'. This sense does not normally appear as a subject or object outside that phrase.

Common Mistakes

Please give me a writing of your decision.
Please give me your decision in writing.
'in writing' is a fixed phrase; do not use 'a writing' in this context.

7. the published books, essays, and articles of a particular author, treated as a c

7.nounB2
Definition

the published books, essays, and articles of a particular author, treated as a collection or body of work

Example

The library has a special section for the writings of Charles Dickens and his contemporaries.

the writings of + person

Élise studied the early writings of the philosopher before his time in exile.

Common collocations
  • the writings of [author]
  • political writings
  • scientific writings
  • collected writings
  • early writings
Synonyms
  • collected works

    more formal; explicitly suggests a published compilation

  • oeuvre

    French loanword for the complete body of work by an artist or writer

  • output

    more neutral term for the total work produced, not necessarily published

Grammar Patterns

the writings of + person

possessive + writings

Usage Note

Commonly appears in the plural form 'writings' to refer to collected published works. Distinguish from sense 3 (LITERARY WORKS): this sense specifically refers to works that have been published as books, whereas sense 3 is broader and can include unpublished material.

Common Mistakes

The writing of Einstein include his scientific papers.
The writings of Einstein include his scientific papers.
use the plural 'writings' for collected published works by an author.
Idioms

in writing

idiom

In a written form that can be kept as a record or proof.

Please confirm your appointment in writing by Friday.

Did you get the agreement in writing from the manager?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/4

These words all describe producing written text but differ in scope and register. 'Writing' is the broadest and most neutral term — it covers everything from a diary entry to a novel. 'Composing' implies a more careful, structured process and is common in academic or musical contexts ('composing an essay'). 'Authoring' is more formal and professional, usually describing the creation of a full book or report for publication ('authoring a textbook'). 'Drafting' focuses on the early stage of writing where ideas are put down and later revised ('drafting a proposal'). In everyday use, 'writing' works for most situations; use 'drafting' when emphasizing the preliminary nature of the work, and 'authoring' when referring to published material. For example: 'She is writing in her journal'; 'He is drafting the first chapter'; 'They are authoring a policy paper for the government.'

writing ↗composingauthoringdrafting

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in writing
  • put something in writing
  • reading and writing
  • the writing is on the wall

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'writing' comes from Old English 'wrīting', derived from the verb 'wrītan', which originally meant to scratch or carve marks into a surface. This goes back to Proto-Germanic '*writaną', also meaning 'to tear' or 'to scratch', because the earliest Germanic writing was done by carving runes into wood or stone with a sharp tool. The meaning shifted from 'carve' to 'write' as people began using ink on parchment. Related words exist in other Germanic languages — Old Norse 'rita' (to write) and Old High German 'rīzan' (to tear).