WRITTEN

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does written mean? 

• WRITTEN (adjective)
  The adjective WRITTEN has 3 senses:

1. set down in writing in any of various ways

2. systematically collected and written down

3. written as for a film or play or broadcast

  Familiarity information: WRITTEN used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WRITTEN (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Set down in writing in any of various ways

Context example:

written evidence

Similar:

backhand; left-slanting ((of handwriting) having the letters slanting backward)

cursive (having successive letter joined together)

engrossed (written formally in a large clear script, as a deed or other legal document)

graphic; graphical; in writing (written or drawn or engraved)

handwritten (written by hand)

holographic (written wholly in the handwriting of the signer)

inscribed (written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface)

longhand (having words written out in full by hand)

scrivened (copied in handwriting)

shorthand (written in abbreviated or symbolic form)

Also:

scripted; written (written as for a film or play or broadcast)

Antonym:

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

Sense 2

Meaning:

Systematically collected and written down

Context example:

written laws

Similar:

codified; statute (enacted by a legislative body)

Antonym:

unwritten (based on custom rather than documentation)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Written as for a film or play or broadcast

Synonyms:

scripted; written

 Context examples 

"I can make nothing of such a hand as that; almost without lines: besides, what is in a palm? Destiny is not written there."

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

If I had taken part in it I'd have done it better than this, and have written a sensible note.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Dorothy looked inside the Golden Cap and saw some words written upon the lining.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Northanger Abbey was written in 1797-98 under a different title.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Yes, when you have written the letter, I will take it to my father to frank.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

A statement written in symbols that two objects, e.g. mathematical expressions, or arrays of symbols representing a chemical reaction, are equal under certain conditions.

(Equation, NCI Thesaurus)

A note was written to urge it.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

An item inserted in a written or electronic record.

(Entry, NCI Thesaurus)

A written explanation, observation or criticism added to textual material.

(Comment, NCI Thesaurus)