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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

Grammatical Role

Alphabet unit
Lexical unit
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Sep 20, 2023

Meaning

Form
Semantics
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Sep 20, 2023

Length

Single character
Can be multiple letters
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Sep 20, 2023

Function

Building block
Conveys meaning
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Dependency

Dependent on words
Independent unit
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
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Letters and Word Definitions

Letters

Basic units of phonetics
Each letter represents a sound.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

Word

Meaningful lexical unit
Tree is a word that signifies a type of plant.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023

Letters

Spelling components
Letters are essential for correct spelling.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Word

A set of characters
A word is composed of letters.
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Sep 20, 2023

Letters

Writing elements
Letters make up words in a sentence.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
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Word

A name, term, or phrase
Freedom is a powerful word.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023

Letters

Symbols in an alphabet
The English alphabet has 26 letters.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

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

Letters

Alphabet characters
The letters in apple are a, p, p, l, e.
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Sep 20, 2023

Word

Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment
May I say a word about that?.
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Apr 24, 2023

Letters

A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet.
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

A command or direction; an order
Gave the word to retreat.
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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

Word

An assurance or promise; sworn intention
She has kept her word.
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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

A verbal signal; a password or watchword.
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Apr 24, 2023

Letters

Often letters A certified document granting rights to its bearer.
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Word

Discourse or talk; speech
Actions speak louder than words.
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Apr 24, 2023

Letters

Literal meaning
Had to adhere to the letter of the law.
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Word

(Music) The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.
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Letters

Literary culture; belles-lettres.
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Word

Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.
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Letters

Learning or knowledge, especially of literature.
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Word

News
Any word on your promotion?.
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Apr 24, 2023

Letters

Literature or writing as a profession.
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Word

Rumor
Word has it they're divorcing.
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Apr 24, 2023

Letters

A piece of type that prints a single character.
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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

A specific style of type.
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

See Logos.
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Apr 24, 2023

Letters

The characters in one style of type.
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

The Scriptures; the Bible.
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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

Letters

To write letters on
Lettered the paper.
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

To express in words
Worded the petition carefully.
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Apr 24, 2023

Letters

To write in letters
Lettered our name on the mailbox.
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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

Letters

To write or form letters.
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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.
Sawaira Riaz
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

Letters

Plural of letter
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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

Something like such a unit of language:
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Apr 24, 2023

Letters

The literary culture;
This book shows American letters at its best
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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

Letters

Scholarly attainment;
He is a man of letters
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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

(computer science) A finite string that is not a command or operator.
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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

The fact or act of speaking, as opposed to taking action. .
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

Something that someone said; a comment, utterance; speech.
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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

(obsolete) A proverb or motto.
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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.
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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

A brief discussion or conversation.
Can I have a word with you?
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

(meiosis) A minor reprimand.
I had a word with him about it.
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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.
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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

Logos, Christ.
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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

To flatter with words, to cajole.
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Word

(transitive) To ply or overpower with words.
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

To conjure with a word.
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

To speak, to use words; to converse, to discourse.
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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.")
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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.
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

Signal; order; command; direction.
Give the word through.
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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.
Sawaira Riaz
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 use words, as in discussion; to argue; to dispute.
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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

To ply with words; also, to cause to be by the use of a word or words.
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Apr 24, 2023

Word

To flatter with words; to cajole.
Sawaira Riaz
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

A brief statement;
He didn't say a word about it
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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 promise;
He gave his word
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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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Word

A verbal command for action;
When I give the word, charge!
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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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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 are Letters?

They are individual characters in an alphabet.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Do Words have meaning?

Yes, words have specific meanings.
Harlon Moss
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

Do Letters have semantic weight?

No, they are more about form and structure.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

What is a Word?

It's a set of letters that conveys a specific meaning.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Do Letters have meaning?

Usually, letters by themselves do not have meaning.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

How many Letters in a Word?

A word can contain one or more letters.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023

Can a Word stand alone?

Yes, a word can be a standalone unit of meaning.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023

Are Letters and Words dependent on each other?

Yes, letters make up words.
Janet White
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

Do Words have semantic weight?

Yes, words have meanings and implications.
Aimie Carlson
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 Riaz
Sawaira 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 Saeed
Sumera 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.

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