English Dictionary

UNWRITTEN

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does unwritten mean? 

UNWRITTEN (adjective)
  The adjective UNWRITTEN has 3 senses:

1. based on custom rather than documentationplay

2. using speech rather than writingplay

3. said or done without having been planned or written in advanceplay

  Familiarity information: UNWRITTEN used as an adjective is uncommon.


 Dictionary entry details 


UNWRITTEN (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Based on custom rather than documentation

Context example:

rites...so ancient that they well might have had their unwritten origins in Aurignacian times

Similar:

common-law (based on common law)

Antonym:

written (systematically collected and written down)


Sense 2

Meaning:

Using speech rather than writing

Synonyms:

oral; unwritten

Context example:

an oral agreement

Similar:

spoken (uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination)


Sense 3

Meaning:

Said or done without having been planned or written in advance

Synonyms:

ad-lib; spontaneous; unwritten

Context example:

he made a few ad-lib remarks

Similar:

unscripted (not furnished with or using a script)


 Context examples 


He compared the tale, as yet unwritten, with the tales of the sea-writers, and he felt it to be immeasurably superior.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Ne'er cast a clout till May be out." (English proverb)

"Wait for the night before saying that the day has been beautiful" (Breton proverb)

"Every ambitious man is a captive and every covetous one a pauper." (Arabic proverb)

"Don't go to the pub without money." (Czech proverb)



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