write

write [ raıt ] (past tense wrote [ rout ] ; past participle writ|ten [ `rıtn ] ) verb ***

▸ 1 create story/letter etc.

▸ 2 make words etc. with pen

▸ 3 create formal document

▸ 4 in computing

▸ 5 spell a word

▸ 6 when pen works

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) intransitive or transitive to create something such as a story or song by putting words together:

He ought to have enough stories to write a book.

write about: He traveled around Mexico and wrote about his experiences.

a ) intransitive to create things such as books as a job or for pleasure:

write for: She writes for a number of American fashion magazines.

b ) intransitive or transitive to use words to create a letter or other message:

write someone: Don't forget to write me.

write something to someone: She'd written a letter to the newspaper to complain.

write someone something: I sat down and wrote them an apology.

write saying/asking etc. something: She wrote asking what the place was like.

write to say/express etc. something: We are writing to express our concern regarding your report.

2. ) intransitive or transitive to use a pen to make words, numbers, or symbols:

Emily is just learning to write.

Each person writes their own name.

a ) to put words on paper or some other surface:

write something on something: There were names written on the walls.

write something in something: He was writing something in a notebook.

3. ) transitive to create a formal document by writing:

I'll write you a check for the full amount.

4. ) transitive to create a computer program:

This program was written by students at Stanford University.

5. ) transitive to spell a word:

British people write color with a u.

6. ) intransitive a pen that does not write does not work:

My pen won't write. Can I borrow yours?

have something written all over your face

used for saying that the expression on your face shows what you are feeling or thinking:

Disappointment was written all over her face.

nothing/not anything to write home about

not very good:

The acting was very good but the music was nothing to write home about.

,write a`way phrasal verb intransitive

same as WRITE OFF 3:

We wrote away for a brochure.

,write `back phrasal verb intransitive or transitive

to send a reply to someone who has sent you a letter:

We wrote back saying we would be happy to come.

,write `down phrasal verb transitive

to write something on a piece of paper:

Write down seven words that describe how you feel.

,write `in phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive to write to an organization, for example because you want information about something:

I wrote in to the program to ask for more details.

2. ) transitive to add words or numbers that are missing from something:

Write in the letter that is missing from each word.

,write `into phrasal verb transitive

write something into something to include a particular feature in an official document such as a contract:

The right to withdraw is written into the agreement.

,write `off phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to say officially that someone does not have to pay an amount of money:

The U.S. government agreed to write off debts of $170 billion.

a ) to accept that you will not receive money you hoped someone would give back:

The money they have spent will have to be written off.

2. ) transitive to decide that someone or something will not succeed and stop giving them your attention and energy:

The first tests of the new microchip were written off as a failure.

3. ) write off or write away intransitive to write to an organization asking for something:

write off for: Why don't you write off for more details?

4. ) transitive to say that something is not worth anything, for example a machine used to make something:

After five years you can write the equipment off for tax.

5. ) transitive BRITISH to TOTAL a vehicle in an accident

,write `out phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to complete an official document by writing information on it:

It only takes a minute to write out a prescription.

2. ) to write something again, usually in a more complete form:

Could you write out exactly what you need me to do?

3. ) to remove a character from a television or radio series by writing stories that do not include them:

Ratings fell when the star was written out of the show.

,write `up phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to write a report, article, etc. using notes that you wrote earlier:

The police officers wrote up the accident at the station.

2. ) AMERICAN to report officially that someone has done something wrong:

The traffic cop wrote him up for speeding.