- [uncountable] the activity of writing, in contrast to reading, speaking, etc.
- Our son’s having problems with his reading and writing (= at school).
- a writing case (= containing paper, pens, etc.)
- Every morning the children do writing.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + writing- do
- practise/practice
- improve
- …
- paper
- desk
- reading and writing
- [uncountable] the activity of writing books, articles, etc., especially as a job
- Only later did she discover a talent for writing.
- I wanted to try out a new style of writing.
- creative writing
- feminist/travel writing
- He is leaving the band to concentrate on his writing.
Extra ExamplesTopics Literature and writinga1, Hobbiesa1- the process of writing for publication
- The class takes a student-centred approach to creative writing.
- Housman's description of the writing of poetry
- The book aims to teach effective essay writing.
- Students do most of their academic writing in English.
- His writing style is well suited to this subject matter.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- effective
- creative
- descriptive
- …
- piece
- teach
- improve
- skills
- style
- writing for
- writing in
- writing of
- …
- a style of writing
- [uncountable] books, articles, etc. in general
- The review is a brilliant piece of writing.
Extra Examples- the composer's fine writing for the piano
- an anthology of writing about jazz
- Her early writing was concerned with the French Revolution.
- the evaluation of student writing
- You find a greater use of the passive in scientific writing.
- You find more technical words in scientific writing.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- fine
- good
- great
- …
- piece
- anthology
- collection
- …
- read
- publish
- be about something
- deal with something
- include something
- …
- in… writing
- through somebody’s writing
- writing about
- …
- [uncountable] words that have been written or painted on something
- There was writing all over the desk.
- [uncountable] the particular way in which somebody forms letters when they write synonym handwriting
- Who's this from? I don't recognize the writing.
Extra Examples- I can't read your writing.
- I didn't recognize the writing.
- The list was in Elizabeth's writing.
- He has very neat writing.
- He's got very neat writing.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- small
- tiny
- legible
- …
- have
- read
- recognize
- …
- in somebody’s writing
- writings[plural] a group of pieces of writing, especially by a particular person or on a particular subject
- His experiences in India influenced his later writings.
- the writings of Hegel
- writings on something His writings on complex subjects are clear and definitive.
Extra Examples- The sacred writings of the world's major religions vary greatly.
- Her influence has been greatest through her writings.
- Her name crops up frequently in writings about the Renaissance.
- Her writings reflect the breadth of her interests.
- His writings on the history of art were published by Greenway and Settle.
- His writings provide us with a first-hand account of the civil war.
- His writings range from ancient to contemporary art, and include a study of Giorgione's paintings.
- Ruskin's Collected Writings
- a collection of writings by artists
- The book is a collection of writings on death by various authors.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- fine
- good
- great
- …
- piece
- anthology
- collection
- …
- read
- publish
- be about something
- deal with something
- include something
- …
- in… writing
- through somebody’s writing
- writing about
- …
Idioms
See writing in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee writing in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishin writing
- in the form of a letter, document, etc. (that gives proof of something)
- All telephone reservations must be confirmed in writing.
- Could you put your complaint in writing?
- You must get it in writing.
Extra Examples- This agreement has to be confirmed in writing.
- The arrangement was never put into writing.
the writing is on the wall | see the writing on the wall
(North American English also the handwriting on the wall)
- (saying) used when you are describing a situation in which there are signs that something is going to have problems or that it is going to be a failure
- It is amazing that not one of them saw the writing on the wall.
Check pronunciation:
writing