adverb
word for word
WURD fuh WURD
Word for word (adverb) means In exactly the same words as the original, with nothing changed, added or left out. Example: “He repeated the message word for word.”
adverb
1
In exactly the same words as the original, with nothing changed, added or left out.
"He repeated the message word for word."
"Copying the report word for word is plagiarism."
adjective
1
Reproducing or translating a text with every single word matched, rather than conveying the sense.
"A word-for-word translation of the poem loses all its rhythm."
"She gave me a word-for-word account of the phone call."
How to use word for word
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRepeating something using exactly the same words.
When to use it
Hyphenate before a noun (a word-for-word transcript); leave it open after a verb (she quoted it word for word). Verbatim is the one-word formal equivalent.
Memory tip
Word-for-word translation is often the wrong goal — good translation carries the meaning, not the individual words.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
repeat it word for word
word-for-word translation
copied word for word
word-for-word transcript
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like word for word.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He repeated the message _____.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between word for word and verbatim?
They mean the same thing. Verbatim comes from Latin and sounds more formal or legal; word for word is the plain English version and is more common in speech.
What is the difference between a word-for-word and a literal translation?
A word-for-word translation replaces each word one at a time, ignoring grammar differences, so it often reads as nonsense. A literal translation stays close to the source but still produces grammatical sentences in the target language.
What is the meaning of word for word?
"word for word" (adverb) means in exactly the same words as the original, with nothing changed, added or left out.
What is another word for word for word?
Other words for "word for word" include verbatim, exactly, literally, to the letter, literal, exact.
