writing
gb/ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/ us/ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
A1
English
írás, felirat, írásmód, megfogalmazás, íráskészség, kézírás
NOUN
A1
1
írás
A2
Usage pattern:
[writing] about [something]; [writing] for [purpose]
Writing every day helped her organize her thoughts more clearly.
A mindennapi írás segített neki abban, hogy világosabban rendezze a gondolatait.
The course focuses on writing for business and academic situations.
A kurzus az üzleti és egyetemi környezetben szükséges írásbeli kommunikációra összpontosít.
He finds writing easier than speaking in front of a group.
Learner examples
I like writing stories.
Szeretek történeteket írni.
We practiced writing in English today.
Ma angol nyelven gyakoroltuk az írást.
Common mistake:
Writing is usually uncountable for the activity: say “I enjoy writing,” not “I enjoy a writing.”
Meaning
creating written text
Collocations
writing practice
|writing exercise
|writing assignment
|writing process
|academic writing
|essay writing
|letter writing
|writing class
|writing course
|writing by hand
Synonyms
composition (often used for school or formal written work)
|
drafting (emphasizes making an early version of a text)
|
copywriting (specifically writing advertisements or marketing text)
Antonyms
reading (receiving written language rather than producing it)
|
speaking (communicating orally rather than in written form)
Themes
communication
|education
|daily_life
Definition
the activity of making words on paper or on a screen
the act or process of producing words, symbols, or text, especially to communicate ideas
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
[writing] on [something]; a piece of [writing]
The writing on the label was too small to read.
A címkén lévő felirat túl apró volt ahhoz, hogy el lehessen olvasni.
Please submit a short piece of writing with your application.
Kérjük, a jelentkezéséhez nyújtson be egy rövid írást is.
There was writing in three languages on the museum sign.
Learner examples
I can’t read the writing on the board.
Nem tudom elolvasni a táblán lévő írást.
This is a good piece of writing.
Ez egy jó írás.
Common mistake:
Do not usually say “a writing” for one text; say “a piece of writing,” “an article,” “a document,” or “some writing.”
Meaning
written words or symbols
Collocations
a piece of writing
|writing sample
|small writing
|tiny writing
|writing on the page
|writing on the label
|writing on the screen
|the writing says
|read the writing
|writing in English
Synonyms
text (general word for written or printed words)
|
words (simpler and less formal)
|
copy (used especially for advertising, publishing, or website text)
Antonyms
speech (spoken language rather than written language)
Themes
communication
|documents
|daily_life
Definition
words or marks that are written or printed somewhere
words, symbols, or text that have been written or printed, as they appear in a document, book, or on a surface
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[someone's] writing is [adjective]
Her writing is clear, warm, and easy to follow.
Az írásmódja világos, barátságos hangvételű és könnyen követhető.
The editor praised the research but asked for stronger writing.
A szerkesztő dicsérte a kutatást, de erőteljesebb megfogalmazást kért.
Good writing can make a complicated topic feel simple.
Learner examples
His writing is very clear.
Az írásmódja nagyon világos.
I want to improve my writing.
Szeretném fejleszteni az íráskészségemet.
Meaning
written style or quality
Collocations
clear writing
|good writing
|strong writing
|concise writing
|polished writing
|weak writing
|beautiful writing
|formal writing
|plain writing
|effective writing
Synonyms
style (broader; can refer to expression in writing, speech, art, or behavior)
|
prose (often refers to the style of non-poetry writing)
|
wording (focuses on the exact choice of words)
Themes
communication
|literature
|education
Definition
the way someone writes, especially how clear, interesting, or good it is
the way a person expresses ideas in written language, or the quality of that expression
NOUN
A2
4
kézírás
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone's] writing
I can’t read the doctor’s writing.
Nem tudom elolvasni az orvos kézírását.
Your writing is much neater when you use this pen.
Ezzel a tollal sokkal rendezettebb a kézírásod.
The note was in small, careful writing.
Learner examples
My writing is messy.
Rendetlen a kézírásom.
Her writing is easy to read.
Könnyen olvasható a kézírása.
Common mistake:
Handwriting is usually more specific and common when you mean the shape of someone’s handwritten letters.
Meaning
someone's handwriting
Collocations
neat writing
|messy writing
|clear writing
|tiny writing
|cursive writing
|read someone's writing
|hard-to-read writing
|beautiful writing
|writing by hand
Synonyms
handwriting (more specific and usually preferred for this meaning)
|
script (can suggest a particular handwritten or printed style)
|
penmanship (refers to skill in handwriting; somewhat old-fashioned)
Antonyms
typing (producing text with a keyboard rather than by hand)
Themes
communication
|education
|daily_life
Definition
the way someone writes letters by hand
the particular way someone forms letters and words by hand; handwriting
NOUN
B2
5
írás
B1
Usage pattern:
go into [writing]; make a living from [writing]
She left her office job to focus on writing full time.
Otthagyta az irodai állását, hogy főállásban az írásra koncentrálhasson.
It can be difficult to make a living from writing.
Nehéz lehet írásból megélni.
After years in teaching, he moved into travel writing.
Learner examples
She wants a career in writing.
Írói pályára vágyik.
He earns money from writing.
Írással keres pénzt.
Meaning
professional authorship
Collocations
writing career
|freelance writing
|professional writing
|writing job
|writing work
|make a living from writing
|get into writing
|full-time writing
|screenwriting
|technical writing
Synonyms
authorship (more formal; emphasizes being the author of works)
|
journalism (specifically writing or reporting news)
|
copywriting (specifically commercial or advertising writing)
Themes
careers
|literature
|media
|arts
Definition
writing as a job or career
the activity or profession of creating books, articles, scripts, or other written works
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
6
írás
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone's] writings; the writings of [someone/group]
The course examines the political writings of several twentieth-century thinkers.
A kurzus több huszadik századi gondolkodó politikai írásait vizsgálja.
Her early writings already show the themes that shaped her later novels.
Korai írásaiban már megjelennek azok a témák, amelyek későbbi regényeit meghatározták.
The museum displayed letters, notebooks, and other unpublished writings.
Learner examples
We read the writer’s early writings.
Olvastuk az író korai írásait.
His writings are studied at many universities.
Írásait sok egyetemen tanulmányozzák.
Common mistake:
This meaning is usually plural: “the writings of Toni Morrison,” not usually “the writing of Toni Morrison” when referring to her works as a collection.
Meaning
collected written works
Collocations
collected writings
|published writings
|early writings
|later writings
|religious writings
|political writings
|philosophical writings
|historical writings
|the writings of scholars
|ancient writings
Synonyms
works (common general term for an author's books, essays, or other creations)
|
texts (often used in academic discussion)
|
oeuvre (formal; refers to an artist's or author's complete body of work)
Themes
literature
|academia
|history
|religion
Definition
all or many of the things that someone has written
the texts produced by a particular person, group, period, or tradition, usually considered together and usually used in the plural
Grammar
Dictionary form
writing
IPA
GB/ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
US/ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
writ - ing (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (writ)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: writing
- Plural: writing
Expressions
as of this writing
1/ˈæz əv ðˈɪs ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
when this is written
at the time this text is written
Examples
- As of this writing, the company has not responded to our questions.
- The bill is still under review as of this writing.
- As of this writing, tickets for the concert are still available.
Learner examples
- As of this writing, the store is still open.
creative writing
1/kɹiˈeɪtɪv ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Writing that uses imagination and originality
Writing stories, poems, or other works that show imagination.
Examples
- She teaches a course in creative writing.
- Creative writing lets students explore their imagination.
creative writing
1/kɹiˈeɪtɪv ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
artistic written composition
writing stories, poems, or other imaginative texts
Examples
- She took a creative writing course to work on her short stories.
- The school offers creative writing workshops for teenagers.
- His interest in creative writing began with poetry.
Learner examples
- I study creative writing.
- She writes poems in her creative writing class.
in writing
1/ˈɪn ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
in written form
written down, not just spoken
Examples
- Please confirm the agreement in writing before we begin the project.
- The landlord gave us permission in writing.
- I won’t accept the offer unless I have it in writing.
Learner examples
- Please put it in writing.
- I need the answer in writing.
put something in writing
1/pˈʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɪn ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
write something formally
to write something down so people can refer to it later
Examples
- If the company promises a refund, ask them to put it in writing.
- She put her complaint in writing and sent it to the manager.
- We discussed the plan by phone, but we still need to put the details in writing.
Learner examples
- Can you put that in writing?
- He put the agreement in writing.
the writing is on the wall
1/ðə ɹˈaɪtɪŋ ˈɪz ˈɔn ðə wˈɔl/
idiom
bad outcome is clear
it is clear that something bad will happen soon
Examples
- After months of falling sales, the writing was on the wall for the company.
- When the team lost its biggest client, everyone could see the writing on the wall.
- She read the writing on the wall and started looking for a new job.
Learner examples
- The writing was on the wall after the store lost money for a year.
writing prompt
1/ɹˈaɪtɪŋ pɹˈɑmpt/
fixed phrase
idea or question to start writing
A short sentence, idea, or question that helps you begin a piece of writing.
Examples
- The teacher gave the class a writing prompt about their favorite place.
- Use this writing prompt if you don’t know how to start your story.
writing prompt
1/ɹˈaɪtɪŋ pɹˈɑmpt/
fixed phrase
idea to start writing
a topic or question that helps you start writing
Examples
- The teacher gave the class a writing prompt about a memorable journey.
- Use this writing prompt to begin your journal entry.
- The app generates daily writing prompts for fiction writers.
Learner examples
- The writing prompt was about family.
- A writing prompt can help me start.
writing skills
1/ɹˈaɪtɪŋ skˈɪlz/
fixed phrase
ability to write well
the ability to write clearly and well
Examples
- The job requires strong writing skills and attention to detail.
- Reading more can help students improve their writing skills.
- The test measures speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
Learner examples
- I want to improve my writing skills.
- Good writing skills are useful at work.
writing system
1/ɹˈaɪtɪŋ sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
symbols for a language
the letters or symbols a language uses for writing
Examples
- Japanese uses a writing system that includes kanji and kana.
- Children usually learn the sounds of a language before they learn its writing system.
- The course introduces the Arabic writing system step by step.
Learner examples
- English and Korean have different writing systems.
- I am learning a new writing system.