› [C] a group of letters or sounds that mean something, or a single letter or sound that means something: 'Hund' is the German word for 'dog'. He has difficulty spelling long words. not believe/understand/hear, etc a word › to not believe/understand/hear, etc anything: I don't believe a word he says.
a word of warning/advice/thanks, etc › something that you say to warn someone/give them advice/thank them, etc: Just a word of warning - he doesn't like people being late.
have a word with sb › to talk to someone for a short time: I'll have a word with Ted and see if he wants to come.
put in a good word for sb › to praise someone, often to someone who might be able to employ them
give sb your word › to promise someone something: He gave me his word that he wouldn't tell anyone.
take sb's word for it › to believe what someone says without any proof
in other words › used to explain what something means in a different way: He said he's too busy, in other words, he isn't interested.
in sb's words › used when you repeat what someone said: In the manager's words, the game was 'a total disaster'.
word for word › using the exact words that were originally used: She repeated word for word what he had told her.
→ See also a play on words → See also swear word