written word
Ink preserves thought
The written word refers to language preserved in text rather than spoken aloud.
It emphasizes permanence and authority—what's written down carries weight that speech doesn't: The written word has shaped civilizations.
The phrase often contrasts with oral tradition or spoken communication: She trusted the written word more than promises made in conversation.
- pencilGraphite writing instrument
- letterWritten symbol or message
- love letterWritten romantic declaration
- dead letterUndeliverable or unenforced
- hieroglyphsAncient Egyptian picture-writing
paper · cuneiform · script · alphabet · ideograms · runes · calligraphy · parchment · article · diary · orthography · scroll · composition · documentation · quill · pictograms · ancient texts · book
- languagelanguage, words, grammar, spelling, alphabet
- culturemusic taste, beliefs, food preferences, custom, festivals
- written correspondencethank-you note, letter, love letter, letters, wartime letter
written wordspoken word
Poetry delivered aloud
speech · oral tradition · conversation · oration · utterance
written wordbody language
Unspoken physical expression
gesture · deed · action · facial expression · mime
written wordimage
Visual or mental likeness
picture · visual representation · illustration · symbol · icon
word, writer, writing, written, wrote, handwriting, writes, writers, writings