adjective

unwritten

Unwritten (adjective) means not put into writing. Example: “The rule was unwritten but everyone followed it.”

adjective

Not put into writing.

"The rule was unwritten but everyone followed it."

"Their agreement remained unwritten, based purely on trust."

Understood or agreed upon without being formally stated.

"There's an unwritten code among the drivers about not cutting each other off."

How to use unwritten

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething everyone follows or believes even though it was never formally recorded.

Common pairings

unwritten rule unwritten law

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The rule was _____ but everyone followed it.

From Old English unwriten, from un- (\"not\") plus written.

Origin: Old English

bitten kitten mitten Witten written smitten Britten handwritten

What does “unwritten” mean?

The word “unwritten” means not put into writing. In plain terms, something everyone follows or believes even though it was never formally recorded.

How do you use “unwritten” in a sentence?

Here is “unwritten” used in a sentence: “The rule was unwritten but everyone followed it.”

What part of speech is “unwritten”?

“Unwritten” is an adjective.

Where does the word “unwritten” come from?

The word “unwritten” comes from Old English. From Old English unwriten, from un- (\"not\") plus written.

How many meanings does “unwritten” have?

“Unwritten” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not put into writing.