# typewriter

/ˈtaɪˌpɹaɪtɝ/ (US) · /tˈaɪpɹaɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/typewriter
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a machine with keys that you use to print letters directly onto paper. It was common in offices before computers became popular.

For teachers: a mechanical or electromechanical machine for writing characters similar to those produced by a printer's movable type. It operates by striking an inked ribbon against paper using a set of keys.

## Examples

- He wrote his first novel on an old manual typewriter.
- The sound of the typewriter filled the newsroom before the digital age replaced mechanical keys with silent computer keyboards.
- Collectors often seek out mid-century typewriters for their tactile feedback and aesthetic appeal, valuing the permanence of ink on paper over the ephemeral nature of digital word processing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.