write 
/ˈraɪt/ verb
writes; wrote /ˈraɪt/ verb /ˈroʊt/; writ·ten /ˈrɪtn̩/; writ·ing 1 : to form letters or numbers on a surface with a pen, pencil, etc. [no obj] ▪ children learning to read and write ▪ I don't have anything to write with. Could I borrow a pen? [+ obj] ▪ Please write your name at the top of each sheet. ▪ Write the number as a decimal instead of as a fraction. ▪ She wrote “tag sale” on the sign in big letters. ▪ The note was written in blue ink. ▪ I mistakenly wrote her name as “Gene” instead of “Jean.” ▪ The verb “present” and the noun “present” are written [=spelled] alike but pronounced differently. 2 [+ obj] a : to create (a book, poem, story, etc.) by writing words on paper, on a computer, etc.
▪ She wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime. ▪ She wrote an essay comparing two poems. ▪ I'm writing an article for the school newspaper. ▪ He has written several best sellers.
b : to produce (a written document, agreement, rule, etc.) by writing
▪ She wrote [=drew up] a contract for me to sign. ▪ I'll write you a receipt for your purchase. ▪ I wrote (her) a check for $200. ▪ I finally got around to writing [=drafting] a will. — often + up ▪ She wrote up a contract for me to sign. ▪ I wrote up a review of the art exhibit for the local newspaper.
c : to create (a piece of music)
▪ He has written five symphonies and six concertos. ▪ a performer who writes her own songs
d : to create (a computer program)
▪ I wrote a program to keep track of my finances. 3 : to express or state (something) in a book, story, essay, letter, etc. [+ obj] ▪ Today's homework assignment is to write what you thought of the museum. ▪ He wrote, “I love you and miss you.” ▪ The reporter wrote that the strike might last through the weekend. [no obj] ▪ I'm going to write about my cat in my essay. 4 : to use the writing system of a language [no obj] + in
▪ I can read and write in Japanese, but I can't speak it very well. [+ obj] ▪ I want to learn how to write Chinese. 5 : to communicate with someone by sending a letter, e-mail, etc. [no obj] ▪ I wish you would write more often. [=I wish you would send me more letters, e-mails, etc.] — often + to ▪ For more information, write to the Department of Parks. [+ obj] ▪ I wrote [=sent] a letter to him. = I wrote him a letter. = (US) I wrote him. 6 [no obj] : to do the work of writing books, news articles, stories, etc. : to be a writer
▪ He writes for the New York Times. ▪ I've been writing for 20 years. 7 [+ obj] computers : to transfer (information) in a computer to a disk or other device
▪ The data was written to/onto a disk. 8 [no obj] of a pen, pencil, etc. : to put marks on paper or another surface
▪ My pen won't write smoothly.
▪ She wrote hundreds of poems during her lifetime. ▪ She wrote an essay comparing two poems. ▪ I'm writing an article for the school newspaper. ▪ He has written several best sellers.
b : to produce (a written document, agreement, rule, etc.) by writing
▪ She wrote [=drew up] a contract for me to sign. ▪ I'll write you a receipt for your purchase. ▪ I wrote (her) a check for $200. ▪ I finally got around to writing [=drafting] a will. — often + up ▪ She wrote up a contract for me to sign. ▪ I wrote up a review of the art exhibit for the local newspaper.
c : to create (a piece of music)
▪ He has written five symphonies and six concertos. ▪ a performer who writes her own songs
d : to create (a computer program)
▪ I wrote a program to keep track of my finances.
▪ I can read and write in Japanese, but I can't speak it very well. [+ obj] ▪ I want to learn how to write Chinese.
▪ He writes for the New York Times. ▪ I've been writing for 20 years.
▪ The data was written to/onto a disk.
▪ My pen won't write smoothly.
have (something) written all over it
informal : to show a certain characteristic very clearly
▪ That proposal had “failure” written all over it. [=it was obvious that the proposal was going to fail]
▪ That proposal had “failure” written all over it. [=it was obvious that the proposal was going to fail]
nothing to write home about
informal : not very good or appealing : ordinary
▪ The food at that restaurant is nothing to write home about.
▪ The food at that restaurant is nothing to write home about.
write back [phrasal verb]
write back or write (someone) back : to send someone a letter, e-mail, etc., in response to one that was sent to you
▪ He wrote back (to me) as soon as he got my card. ▪ I sent him a letter, but he never wrote me back.
▪ He wrote back (to me) as soon as he got my card. ▪ I sent him a letter, but he never wrote me back.
write down [phrasal verb]
write (something) down or write down (something) : to write (something) on a piece of paper
▪ I want all of you to write down your ideas. ▪ Please write your phone number down for me.
▪ I want all of you to write down your ideas. ▪ Please write your phone number down for me.
write in [phrasal verb] 1 : to send a letter to a newspaper, a company, the government, etc., to express an opinion or to ask a question
▪ Dozens of people wrote in to the newspaper to complain about the controversial comic strip. ▪ Please write in with your comments. 2 write (something) in or write in (something) : to write (something) on a form
▪ She wrote in “Latina” under/beside “race or ethnicity.” 3 write (someone) in or write in (someone) US : to vote for (someone who is not on the official list of candidates) by writing that person's name in a special place on the ballot
▪ Her name wasn't on the ballot, but several hundred voters wrote her in. — see also write-in
▪ Dozens of people wrote in to the newspaper to complain about the controversial comic strip. ▪ Please write in with your comments.
▪ She wrote in “Latina” under/beside “race or ethnicity.”
▪ Her name wasn't on the ballot, but several hundred voters wrote her in. — see also write-in
write into [phrasal verb]
write (something) into (something) : to add (something new) to a contract, law, etc.
▪ Legislators wrote a clause into the law that exempts nonprofit agencies. ▪ A bonus was written into the contract.
▪ Legislators wrote a clause into the law that exempts nonprofit agencies. ▪ A bonus was written into the contract.
write off [phrasal verb] 1 write (something) off or write off (something) a : to say officially that (money that is owed to you) will not be paid or does not need to be paid
▪ The government has agreed to write off the debt. ▪ The bank has written off the loan. [=has officially said that the money for the loan is lost because the loan will not be repaid]
b : to take away (an amount) from the total amount that is used to calculate taxes
▪ You might be able to write off [=deduct] the cost of the computer on your taxes. 2 write (someone or something) off or write off (someone or something) : to consider (someone or something) to be lost, hopeless, unimportant, etc.
▪ I had written off [=given up on] college because I couldn't afford to pay tuition. ▪ I wrote her off as a friend. [=I decided that she was no longer my friend] ▪ I wouldn't write off [=dismiss] the team just yet. The season still has a long way to go. 3 write off for (something) chiefly Brit : to make a request for (something) by sending a letter
▪ She wrote off for [=sent away for] a free sample.
▪ The government has agreed to write off the debt. ▪ The bank has written off the loan. [=has officially said that the money for the loan is lost because the loan will not be repaid]
b : to take away (an amount) from the total amount that is used to calculate taxes
▪ You might be able to write off [=deduct] the cost of the computer on your taxes.
▪ I had written off [=given up on] college because I couldn't afford to pay tuition. ▪ I wrote her off as a friend. [=I decided that she was no longer my friend] ▪ I wouldn't write off [=dismiss] the team just yet. The season still has a long way to go.
▪ She wrote off for [=sent away for] a free sample.
write out [phrasal verb] 1 write (something) out or write out (something) a : to put (something) in writing on a piece of paper
▪ I asked her to write out the directions to her house.
b : to write the required information on (a check, receipt, etc.)
▪ I wrote out a check for $200. ▪ The sales clerk wrote us out an invoice. 2 a write (someone) out of : to change a document (such as a will) so that (someone) is not included
▪ She wrote me out of her will.
b write (someone) out of (something) or write out (someone) : to remove (a character) from a story by having the character die, disappear, etc.
▪ They wrote her character out of the show at the end of the first season.
▪ I asked her to write out the directions to her house.
b : to write the required information on (a check, receipt, etc.)
▪ I wrote out a check for $200. ▪ The sales clerk wrote us out an invoice.
▪ She wrote me out of her will.
b write (someone) out of (something) or write out (someone) : to remove (a character) from a story by having the character die, disappear, etc.
▪ They wrote her character out of the show at the end of the first season.
write up [phrasal verb] 1 write (something) up or write up (something) : to describe (something) in a detailed written account
▪ A music critic wrote up the rock concert. — see also write-up 2 write (someone) up or write up (someone) US : to produce an official document that reports (someone) to an authority to be punished
▪ The teacher wrote up the boy for throwing food at his classmates. — see also write 2b (above)
▪ A music critic wrote up the rock concert. — see also write-up
▪ The teacher wrote up the boy for throwing food at his classmates. — see also write 2b (above)
write your own ticket
informal ◊If you can write your own ticket, you can choose to do whatever you want or to go wherever you want because you have excellent or special skills or abilities.
▪ When he graduates, he'll be able to write his own ticket.
▪ When he graduates, he'll be able to write his own ticket.
written in stone — see 1stone
wrote the book on
informal — used to say that someone is an expert on a particular subject ▪ She wrote the book on long-distance swimming.
