English Reference
noun

writing

n.
US /ˈɹaɪtɪŋ/ UK /ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/ writ·ing UK spelling Writings

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    the act or process of putting words on paper or a screen.

    the process of representing language through a system of symbols or letters.

    Simple

    She spends most of her morning writing in her journal.

    In context

    The student found that the physical act of writing helped him retain complex information better than simply reading the textbook.

    Usage

    Uncountable in this sense.

  2. 02 A2 Elementary

    the way a person's letters look when they write by hand.

    the particular style or character of a person's penmanship.

    Simple

    His writing is very messy and difficult to read.

    In context

    The teacher struggled to grade the essay because the student's writing was nearly illegible.

    Usage

    Uncountable in this sense.

    handwritingpenmanshipscript
  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    a book, article, or other document that someone has produced.

    a specific piece of written work, such as a literary composition or a formal document.

    Simple

    The professor praised her academic writing for its clarity.

    In context

    The collection includes the early writings of the philosopher, many of which were previously unpublished.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural ('writings') when referring to a collection of works.

Usage writing style · writing a book


Etymology 1

From Middle English writing, writyng, wryting, wrytyng, from Old English wrīting (“writing”), equivalent to write + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English writinge, wrytynge, writende, writand, from Old English wrītende, present participle of Old English wrītan (“to scratch, carve, write”), equivalent to write + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old English wrīting
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated