english
1
general::
verb form letters and words on paper ADV. clearly, neatly Children must learn to write neatly. | busily She was busily writing in an exercise book. | down, out I'd better write this down, otherwise I'll forget it. VERB + WRITE learn to | teach sb to PREP. on He wrote a list on the back of an old envelope. produce a piece of writing ADV. beautifully, well | badly | clearly the ability to write clearly in plain English | extensively He has written extensively on the subject. | anonymously VERB + WRITE commission sb to He has been commissioned to write a history of the town. | inspire sb to, prompt sb to She was inspired to write the poem by a visit to the cathedral. PREP. about a journalist who writes about problems in the developing world | for She writes for ‘The Times’. | of She wrote of her life in Africa. | on He writes on political issues.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
write sth down
[ M ]
to write something on a piece of paper so that you do not forget it
• Did you write down Jo's phone number?, write sth off
[ M ] VEHICLE
2. UK to damage a vehicle so badly that it cannot be repaired
• His car was completely written off in the accident., write back
to reply to someone's letter
• I'll write back and tell her we're coming., write off/away for sth
to write a letter to an organization asking them to send you something
• Did you write off for tickets?, write in
to write a letter to a newspaper, television company or other organization, to state an opinion or ask something
• [ + to infinitive ]: People have written in to complain about the show.
• [ + -ing verb ]: Thousands of people wrote in to the BBC asking for an information sheet., write sb/sth off
[ M ]
to decide that a particular person or thing will not be useful, important or successful
• A lot of companies seem to write people off if they're over 50., write sth off
[ M ] MONEY
1. to accept that an amount of money has been lost or that a debt will not be paid
• The World Bank is being urged to write off debts from developing countries., write sb in
[ M ] US
to add someone's name to the official list for an election in order to show that you want to vote for them
• a write-in candidate/campaign, write sth up
[ M ]
to write something in a complete or final form using notes that you have made
• Have you written up that report yet?, write sth into sth
[ often passive ]
to add a particular detail or rule to a document
• An agreement to produce five novels a year was written into her contract.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
write
to use a pen or pencil to make words, letters etc:
• Have you written a shopping list? • The children are learning to read and write.
write something down
to write something on paper, in order to remember it or make a record:
• He wrote down everything she said.
put
to write something in a particular place, or to write particular words:
• I’ve put the dates of the meetings in my diary. • At the end of the email she put ‘PS I love you’.
put something in writing
to write something that you have agreed or promised, so that there is an official record:
• They said they would pay me 50%, but they haven’t actually put it in writing.
make a note of something
to write information that you might need later:
• I’ll just make a note of your address. • Make a note in your diary.
take notes
to write things while someone is speaking or while something is happening, so that you can use them later:
• His lawyer was with him taking notes.
scrawl
to write something carelessly and untidily, especially in big letters – often used to show disapproval:
• Someone had scrawled graffiti on the school wall. • He’d scrawled a few unhelpful comments at the bottom of my work.
fill something in/out
to write information on a form or other official document:
• Please fill in the application form in black ink. • Would you mind filling out a questionnaire?
sign
to write your name at the end of a letter, document etc:
• Read the contract carefully, and then sign it. • Don’t forget to sign your name.
to write something quickly
jot something down
to write something very quickly:
• Start your essay by jotting down a few ideas. • He checked the meter and jotted something down.
scribble
to write something quickly and in an untidy way:
• Andy scribbled a quick note and handed it to the chairman. • I’ve scribbled something here but I can’t read it now.
to write something on a computer
enter
to make words or numbers appear on a computer screen by pressing the keys:
• You have to enter your password twice. • The patients medical records are entered into a database.
key something in/type something in
to write or record information on a computer, especially something you are copying:
• I’ve keyed in my credit card details. • To visit our website, just type in our the address.
Longman-Thesaurus
4
general::
verb
form letters of:
Write your name on the paper.
verb
author:
We shall write a book about canning.
Simple Definitions
5
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with WRITE, Also see NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT. Also see under WROTE.
American Heritage Idioms