¦ verb (past wrote; past participle written)
1. mark (letters, words, or other symbols) on a surface, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement.
have the ability to do this: he couldn't read or write.
fill out or complete in writing.
(write something up) write a full or formal account of something.
Canadian & S. African take (an exam or test).
2. write in a cursive hand, as opposed to printing individual letters.
3. write and send (a letter) to someone.
chiefly N. Amer. write and send a letter to (someone).
4. compose (a text or work) in writing.
compose (a musical work).
archaic describe in writing.
5. Computing enter (data) into a specified storage medium or location in store.
6. underwrite (an insurance policy).
Phrases
be written all over one's face informal be obvious from one's expression.
(and) that's all she wrote N. Amer. informal there is nothing more to be said.
Phrasal verbs
write something down reduce the nominal value of stock or goods.
write someone in chiefly US (when voting) add the name of someone not on the original list of candidates and vote for them.
write something off
1. (write someone/thing off) dismiss someone or something as insignificant.
2. cancel the record of a bad debt; acknowledge the failure to recover an asset.
3. Brit. damage a vehicle so badly that it cannot be repaired.
Derivatives
writable adjective (chiefly Computing).
Origin
OE writan 'score, form letters by carving, write', of Gmc origin.