Writing: meaning, definitions and examples

General term for the act of producing text, whether it's informal or professional. Can apply to anything from a note to a novel.

• She enjoys writing in her journal every night
• His writing has improved significantly over the years

Formal term used primarily to refer to written works considered to have artistic or intellectual value, such as novels, poetry, and plays.

• She's studying English literature at university
• This novel is a classic piece of American literature

Used to describe an individual creation in various fields such as literature, art, and music. Often used when discussing the quality or impact of the creation.

• His latest work is a historical novel
• The museum is exhibiting new works by contemporary artists

Usually refers to a single work of writing, art, or music. Commonly used in journalistic and creative contexts.

• He published a piece on climate change in the local newspaper
• She wrote a short piece for the school's literary magazine

Used for general purposes when referring to producing text, whether by hand or digitally. This word suits most contexts and can refer to both formal and informal settings.

• She enjoys writing letters to her friends.
• He is writing an essay for his English class.

Used to describe writing or drawing in a quick and careless way. This word often has a negative connotation, implying that the end result is messy or unimportant.

• The toddler was scribbling on the walls with crayons.
• He scribbled a quick note before leaving.

Best suited for situations where you are carving or etching words onto a hard surface like stone, metal, or wood. This term carries a formal and sometimes historical connotation.

• They inscribed their names on the monument.
• The jewelry had a special message inscribed inside the band.

Typically used in contexts where spoken words or data are being converted into written form. This term is often used in academic, legal, or administrative settings.

• She is transcribing the interview for her thesis.
• The court reporter is responsible for transcribing the proceedings.