verb
/ˈraɪt/ writes; wrote /ˈroʊt/; written /ˈrɪtn̩/; writing
to form letters or numbers on a surface with a pen, pencil, etc. [no obj]
[+ obj] to create (a book, poem, story, etc.) by writing words on paper, on a computer, etc.
to produce (a written document, agreement, rule, etc.) by writing
to create (a piece of music)
to create (a computer program)
to express or state (something) in a book, story, essay, letter, etc. [+ obj]
to use the writing system of a language [no obj] + in
to communicate with someone by sending a letter, e-mail, etc. [no obj]
[no obj] :to do the work of writing books, news articles, stories, etc. :to be a writer
[+ obj] computers :to transfer (information) in a computer to a disk or other device
[no obj] of a pen, pencil, etc. :to put marks on paper or another surface
have (something) written all over it
informal :to show a certain characteristic very clearly
nothing to write home about
informal :not very good or appealing :ordinary
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
write down
[phrasal verb]
write (something) down or write down (something) :to write (something) on a piece of paper
write in
[phrasal verb]
to send a letter to a newspaper, a company, the government, etc., to express an opinion or to ask a question
write (something) in or write in (something) :to write (something) on a form
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
write into
[phrasal verb]
write (something) into (something) :to add (something new) to a contract, law, etc.
write off
[phrasal verb]
write (something) off or write off (something)
to say officially that (money that is owed to you) will not be paid or does not need to be paid
to take away (an amount) from the total amount that is used to calculate taxes
write (someone or something) off or write off (someone or something) :to consider (someone or something) to be lost, hopeless, unimportant, etc.
write off for (something) chiefly Brit :to make a request for (something) by sending a letter
write out
[phrasal verb]
write (something) out or write out (something)
to put (something) in writing on a piece of paper
to write the required information on (a check, receipt, etc.)
a write (someone) out of :to change a document (such as a will) so that (someone) is not included
b write (someone) out of (something) or write out (someone) :to remove (a character) from a story by having the character die, disappear, etc.
write up
[phrasal verb]
write (something) up or write up (something) :to describe (something) in a detailed written account
write (someone) up or write up (someone) US :to produce an official document that reports (someone) to an authority to be punished
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.
written in stone
wrote the book on
informal - used to say that someone is an expert on a particular subject