English dictionary

writing Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the plural of writing?

The plural of writing is writings.

/ˈɹaɪtɪŋ/

What Does Writing Mean?

Writing is used as a noun meaning Graphism of symbols such as letters that express some meaning. It is also used to mean Something written, such as a document, article or book. As a verb, it means present participle and gerund of write. As a verb, it means To form letters, words or symbols on a surface in order to communicate.

Writing: Key Facts

Part of speech	noun, verb
Pronunciation	/ˈɹaɪtɪŋ/
Synonyms	composition, authorship and written material
Antonyms	load, read and retrieve
Plural	writings

Writing Definition (Noun)

Graphism of symbols such as letters that express some meaning.
Something written, such as a document, article or book.
The process of representing a language with symbols or letters.
A work of an author.
Congrats, you did an interesting piece of writing.
The style of writing of a person.
I can't read your writing.
Intended for or used in writing.
a writing table

Writing as a Verb

present participle and gerund of write

Noun

(as a modifier) Intended for or used in writing.
a writing table

Verb

To form letters, words or symbols on a surface in order to communicate.
The pupil wrote his name on the paper.
To be the author of (a book, article, poem, etc.).
My uncle writes newspaper articles for The Herald.
To send written information to.
(UK) Please write to me when you get there.
To show (information, etc) in written form.
The due day of the homework is written in the syllabus.
To be an author.
I write for a living.
(with to) To record data mechanically or electronically.
The computer writes to the disk faster than it reads from it.
(of an exam, a document, etc.) To fill in, to complete using words.
I was very anxious to know my score after I wrote the test.
To impress durably; to imprint; to engrave.
truth written on the heart
To make known by writing; to record; to prove by one's own written testimony; often used reflexively.
To sell (an option or other derivative).

Antonyms of Writing

load read retrieve

Writing in a Sentence

Congrats, you did an interesting piece of writing.

I can't read your writing.

a writing table

The pupil wrote his name on the paper.

My uncle writes newspaper articles for The Herald.

(UK) Please write to me when you get there.

The due day of the homework is written in the syllabus.

I write for a living.

The computer writes to the disk faster than it reads from it.

I was very anxious to know my score after I wrote the test.

truth written on the heart

Word Forms & Grammar

writing (countable and uncountable, plural writings)

writing

Origin of Writing

Origin 1: From Middle English writing, writyng, wryting, wrytyng, from Old English wrīting (“writing”), equivalent to write +‎ -ing.

Origin 2: From Middle English writinge, wrytynge, writende, writand, from Old English wrītende, present participle of Old English wrītan (“to scratch, carve, write”), equivalent to write +‎ -ing.

Questions People Ask About Writing

Is writing a noun or a verb?

Writing is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is another word for writing?

Close synonyms of writing are composition, authorship and written material. See the full list of writing synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of writing?

The opposite of writing can be expressed with words like load, read and retrieve.