Letters vs. Word: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 2, 2023
"Letters" are individual characters that constitute the basic units of an alphabet. "Word" refers to a set of letters arranged in a specific sequence to convey a particular meaning.
Key Differences
"Letters" are the building blocks of language, individual characters that can be vowels or consonants. A "Word," in contrast, is a specific arrangement of these letters that holds a defined meaning within a language.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
In alphabetic systems, "Letters" are used in various combinations to form words. A "Word" can be as short as one letter or as long as several letters, but it always functions as a single unit of meaning in language.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
The concept of "Letters" exists almost purely in the realm of form, focusing on shape, sound, and structure. A "Word," however, carries semantic weight—it has a meaning that can be looked up in a dictionary.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
"Letters" by themselves don't usually convey meaning and are tools used for spelling. A "Word" is the smallest free form in a language and can stand alone to convey meaning.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023
Both "Letters" and "Word" are essential for written and spoken language. While letters are more about syntax and phonetics, a word is about semantics—the meaning it brings to a sentence or conversation.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Letters and Word Definitions
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Word
A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment
May I say a word about that?.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Letters
A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Letters
A written symbol or character used in the graphemic representation of a word, such as the h in Thames. See Note at Thames.
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Apr 24, 2023
Letters
A written or printed communication directed to a person or organization.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
Used euphemistically in combination with the initial letter of a term that is considered offensive or taboo or that one does not want to utter
“Although economists here will not call it a recession yet, the dreaded ‘R' word is beginning to pop up in the media” (Francine S. Kiefer).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Letters
An emblem in the shape of the initial of a school awarded for outstanding performance, especially in varsity athletics.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
(Computers) A set of bits that is of a fixed size and is typically operated on by a computer's processor.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
(Slang) Used to express approval or an affirmative response to something. Sometimes used with up.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
The smallest unit of language that has a particular meaning and can be expressed by itself; the smallest discrete, meaningful unit of language. contrast morpheme.
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Apr 24, 2023
Letters
To earn a school letter, as for outstanding athletic achievement
She lettered in three collegiate sports.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
The smallest discrete unit of spoken language with a particular meaning, composed of one or more phonemes and one or more morphemes
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
The smallest discrete unit of written language with a particular meaning, composed of one or more letters or symbols and one or more morphemes
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Apr 24, 2023
Letters
Literature school subject.
Rickert was the first woman (and second individual) to be awarded a Ph.D. in English letters and philology with that academic honor at the University of Chicago.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
A discrete, meaningful unit of language approved by an authority or native speaker (compare non-word).
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Apr 24, 2023
Letters
The liberal arts, humanities, learning broad accumulated cultural knowledge.
Though architecture in ancient Rome was not generally considered to belong to the artes liberales, Vitruvius easily qualified as a man of letters because of his wide learning.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
A sequence of letters, characters, or sounds, considered as a discrete entity, though it does not necessarily belong to a language or have a meaning
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
(telegraphy) A unit of text equivalent to five characters and one space.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
(computing) A fixed-size group of bits handled as a unit by a machine and which can be stored in or retrieved from a typical register (so that it has the same size as such a register).
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
(group theory) A group element, expressed as a product of group elements.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
A watchword or rallying cry, a verbal signal (even when consisting of multiple words).
Mum's the word
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
(uncountable) News; tidings.
Have you had any word from John yet?
I've tried for weeks to get word, but I still don't know where she is or if she's all right.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
An order; a request or instruction; an expression of will.
He sent word that we should strike camp before winter.
Don't fire till I give the word
Their mother's word was law.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
A promise; an oath or guarantee.
I give you my word that I will be there on time.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
(in the plural) See words.
There had been words between him and the secretary about the outcome of the meeting.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
Communication from God; the message of the Christian gospel; the Bible, Scripture.
Her parents had lived in Botswana, spreading the word among the tribespeople.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
(transitive) To say or write (something) using particular words; to phrase (something).
I’m not sure how to word this letter to the council.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
Truth, indeed, that is the truth! The shortened form of the statement "My word is my bond."
"Yo, that movie was epic!" / "Word?" ("You speak the truth?") / "Word." ("I speak the truth.")
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
An abbreviated form of word up; a statement of the acknowledgment of fact with a hint of nonchalant approval.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
The spoken sign of a conception or an idea; an articulate or vocal sound, or a combination of articulate and vocal sounds, uttered by the human voice, and by custom expressing an idea or ideas; a single component part of human speech or language; a constituent part of a sentence; a term; a vocable.
You cram these words into mine ears, againstThe stomach of my sense.
Amongst men who confound their ideas with words, there must be endless disputes.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
Hence, the written or printed character, or combination of characters, expressing such a term; as, the words on a page.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
Talk; discourse; speech; language.
Why should calamity be full of words?
Be thy words severe;Sharp as he merits, but the sword forbear.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
Account; tidings; message; communication; information; - used only in the singular.
I pray you . . . bring me word thitherHow the world goes.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
Language considered as implying the faith or authority of the person who utters it; statement; affirmation; declaration; promise.
Obey thy parents; keep thy word justly.
I know you brave, and take you at your word.
I desire not the reader should take my word.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023
Word
Verbal contention; dispute.
Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
A brief remark or observation; an expression; a phrase, clause, or short sentence.
All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
She said; but at the happy word "he lives,"My father stooped, re-fathered, o'er my wound.
There is only one other point on which I offer a word of remark.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
To express in words; to phrase.
The apology for the king is the same, but worded with greater deference to that great prince.
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
A unit of language that native speakers can identify;
Words are the blocks from which sentences are made
He hardly said ten words all morning
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
The divine word of God; the second person in the Trinity (incarnate in Jesus)
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
A secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group;
He forgot the password
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
An exchange of views on some topic;
We had a good discussion
We had a word or two about it
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
The sacred writings of the Christian religions;
He went to carry the Word to the heathen
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
A word is a string of bits stored in computer memory;
Large computers use words up to 64 bits long
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
Put into words or an expression;
He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees
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Apr 24, 2023
Word
Smallest independent unit
Go is a word that can stand alone in a sentence.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
Word
A semantic component
The word love has different meanings in different contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
FAQs
What is the role of a Word in language?
A word is a unit of meaning in language.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
What is the role of Letters in language?
Letters are the building blocks of words.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
Can Letters stand alone?
Generally, letters do not stand alone to convey meaning.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023
What's the smallest form of a Word?
A word can be as small as a single letter.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023
What are the functions of Letters and Words?
Letters are for spelling and phonetics, words for meaning.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Can you have a Word without Letters?
In alphabetic languages like English, you cannot have a word without letters.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
