writ ‧ ing S2 W3 /ˈraɪtɪŋ/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ writer , ↑ writing , ↑ rewrite ; verb : ↑ write , ↑ rewrite ; adjective : ↑ written ≠ ↑ unwritten ]
1 . [uncountable] words that have been written or printed:
What does the writing on the back say?
a T-shirt with Japanese writing on it
2 . [uncountable] books, poems, articles etc, especially those by a particular writer or about a particular subject:
Some of his most powerful writing is based on his childhood experiences.
travel/feminist/scientific etc writing
3 . [uncountable] the activity of writing books, stories etc:
In 1991 she retired from politics and took up writing as a career.
a short story that stands out as a brilliant piece of writing
a class in creative writing (=a subject studied at school or college, where you write your own stories, poems etc)
4 . [uncountable] the particular way that someone writes with a pen or pencil SYN handwriting :
Your writing is very neat.
5 . [uncountable] the skill of writing:
At this age we concentrate on the children’s reading and writing skills.
6 . in writing if you get something in writing, it is official proof of an agreement, promise etc:
Could you put that in writing, please?
7 . writings [plural] the books, stories etc that an important writer has written:
Darwin’s scientific writings
8 . the writing is on the wall ( also see/read the writing on the wall ) used to say that it seems very likely that something will not exist much longer or someone will fail
the writing is on the wall for
The writing is on the wall for old manufacturing industries.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 2&3)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + writing
▪ creative writing (=the writing of fiction)
He is currently teaching creative writing at the University of Michigan.
▪ travel writing
Here is some of the best travel writing from around the globe.
▪ historical/sociological/scientific etc writing
Much historical writing today looks at the lives of ordinary people, as well as at the rich and powerful.
▪ academic writing
In academic writing, you should avoid contractions such as "don't" or "aren't".
▪ feminist writing
Feminist writing has strongly criticized pornography as treating women as objects rather than people.
■ NOUN + writing
▪ writing materials (=pens, pencils, paper etc)
Pupils were able to try old writing materials such as slates and steel-nibbed pens.
▪ writing skills
a workshop to develop children's writing skills
▪ writing style
Different newspapers tend to use different writing styles.
■ phrases
▪ a piece of writing
It's a brilliant piece of writing.