Home
/ Dictionary
/ Word processor

Word processor: meaning, definitions and examples

💻

Add to dictionary

word processor

[ wɜːrd ˈprɒsɛsə ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

computer software

A word processor is a software application used for creating, editing, formatting, and printing text-based documents. It provides various tools and features to facilitate the writing process, such as spell check, grammar check, and formatting options.

Synonyms

document processor, text editor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
word processor	Used when referring to software designed primarily for creating, formatting, and printing documents like letters, reports, and essays. Focuses on complex text formatting and layout. Microsoft Word is a popular word processor used in many offices. She used a word processor to write her novel, taking advantage of the advanced formatting options.
text editor	Used for more basic text manipulation tasks, often by programmers or users who need to edit code or simple text files. Focuses on plain text with minimal formatting. Notepad is a simple text editor that comes with Windows. Developers often use text editors like Sublime Text or VS Code to write and edit their code.
document processor	Refers to software or systems specifically designed for the management, creation, and formatting of documents, especially in professional or organizational contexts. Emphasis on handling complex documents. The company invested in a document processor to handle the large volume of reports and internal documents. A document processor can track changes and maintain versions of important company files.

Word

Description / Examples

word processor

Used when referring to software designed primarily for creating, formatting, and printing documents like letters, reports, and essays. Focuses on complex text formatting and layout.

Microsoft Word is a popular word processor used in many offices.
She used a word processor to write her novel, taking advantage of the advanced formatting options.

text editor

Used for more basic text manipulation tasks, often by programmers or users who need to edit code or simple text files. Focuses on plain text with minimal formatting.

Notepad is a simple text editor that comes with Windows.
Developers often use text editors like Sublime Text or VS Code to write and edit their code.

document processor

Refers to software or systems specifically designed for the management, creation, and formatting of documents, especially in professional or organizational contexts. Emphasis on handling complex documents.

The company invested in a document processor to handle the large volume of reports and internal documents.
A document processor can track changes and maintain versions of important company files.

Examples of usage

It's much easier to write a report using a word processor than a typewriter.
She used a word processor to format her resume before sending it out to potential employers.

Translations

Translations of the word "word processor" in other languages:

🇵🇹 processador de texto

🇮🇳 शब्द संसाधक

🇩🇪 Textverarbeitung

🇮🇩 pengolah kata

🇺🇦 текстовий процесор

🇵🇱 edytor tekstu

🇯🇵 ワードプロセッサー

🇫🇷 traitement de texte

🇪🇸 procesador de texto

🇹🇷 kelime işlemci

🇰🇷 워드 프로세서

🇸🇦 معالج النصوص

🇨🇿 textový procesor

🇸🇰 textový procesor

🇨🇳 文字处理器

🇸🇮 besedilni procesor

🇮🇸 ritvinnsluforrit

🇰🇿 мәтіндік процессор

🇬🇪 ტექსტური პროცესორი

🇦🇿 mətn prosessoru

🇲🇽 procesador de texto

Etymology

The term 'word processor' originated in the 1960s when IBM introduced the IBM Magnetic Tape Selectric Typewriter, which allowed users to edit and manipulate text on a tape. Over the years, word processors evolved from dedicated machines to software applications on personal computers, revolutionizing the way documents are created and edited.