What does write mean?
Write is a common English verb meaning to form words, letters, or symbols on a surface, usually paper or a screen. It can refer to recording brief information, composing a book or essay, or sending someone a letter or email. The verb also has a specialized technical use in computing, meaning to store data in a file or system. In everyday use, write suggests deliberate activity: someone chooses words and places them in a written form to communicate, document, or preserve information. It can also mean to compose, as in writing a novel, or to record, as in writing down notes. The word is broadly used in formal, informal, educational, literary, and technical settings. As a noun, write is less common, but it can refer to an act of writing, a written communication, or a data-writing operation in computing.
To express words, ideas, or information in writing, or to record information in written form; also, in computing, to store data in a file or system.
"Please write your name at the top of the form."
The verb is used in literary, academic, administrative, personal, and technical contexts. In computing, it is conventionally contrasted with read.
An act of writing, a written communication, or, in computing, an operation that stores data in a system.
"The device reported a write error when it tried to save the file."
The noun is relatively uncommon in general use and is especially associated with technical or formal contexts.
The word write has ancient Germanic roots: it comes from an Old English word for forming letters and also for devising or composing ideas.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How write is actually used
Write is a general and formal word used for composing or recording written material. In everyday conversation, write may take an object directly, as in “write a message,” while formal and academic contexts favor compositions such as “compose an essay.” In computing, write contrasts with read and often denotes storing data rather than merely producing readable text.
Easily confused with write
Write is the verb for recording words or information in writing, whereas right means correct, proper, or the opposite of left.