worded

Worded is the past tense and past participle of the verb word, meaning to express something in words or to phrase it in a particular way. It can also function as an adjective describing phrasing, such as in “a well-worded statement.”

In writing and editing, worded provides a concise way to discuss how something is phrased. Phrases like “the policy was worded to minimize liability” or “the note is not worded clearly” show how choice of wording affects interpretation and emphasis. The term often carries a evaluative nuance, with “well-worded” or “carefully worded” signaling clarity and precision, while “poorly worded” suggests ambiguity or inaccuracy.

Worded is commonly contrasted with related terms such as wording and phrasing. Wording refers to the specific choice of words themselves, whereas phrasing emphasizes the arrangement and construction of those words. The process of worded communication can be important in legal, formal, or technical contexts where exact meaning matters and slight changes in wording can alter obligations, rights, or interpretations.

See also: word, wording, phrasing, sentence, expression.