woord

Woord is a Dutch noun meaning "word." It designates a single unit of language that carries meaning and can function as a discrete element in speech or writing. In ordinary use, a word is the basic unit by which sentences are built; Dutch words are combined with determiners, adjectives, and verbs to form phrases and clauses. The definite article for woord is het, making it a neuter noun: het woord. The plural form is woorden, and the indefinite article is een woord.

Etymology and cognates: The Dutch woord is cognate with German Wort and English word. It derives from the common West Germanic stock and can be traced back through Middle Dutch. The word has maintained its core sense across centuries, though its use has broadened to include figurative senses such as "a word of advice" or "to have a word" in conversation.

Usage and terminology: The term appears in many compounds, reflecting its productive role in Dutch. Examples include woordenboek (dictionary), woordenschat (vocabulary), woordspeling (wordplay), and woordkeuze (word choice). In linguistics, the precise definition of "word" varies; Dutch typically treats woord as a lexeme or as a unit that may include several morphemes, depending on the theoretical framework. The plural woorden is used when referring to multiple distinct words.