a word which is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a word which is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when defining or describing a specific word and its characteristics or meaning. Example: "The term 'serendipity' is a word which is often used to describe a fortunate happenstance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Periphery is, nevertheless, a word which is useful to me.

The Guardian - Books

"You can't trademark a word which is simply describing something," the spokesman said.

Independent

The officer says a word which is unintelligible to them but plain in meaning.

The New Yorker

It has to do with the penumbra of connotation around a word, which is largely governed by history and context.

The Guardian - Books

"Do we think it is appropriate in 2009 for somebody to explain away the use of a word which is deemed by a very substantial proportion of the public to be hugely offensive as a joke?

Independent

"I feel that if anything I think you become a better coach – if wisdom is a word which is at all relevant in football, I would like to think it is, you do become a bit wiser with the years and you perhaps make a few less mistakes with players and dealing with players that you would have made when you were young, thought you knew it all and thought that you were invincible.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Basically, there are three details of a word which are extracted such as name, type and definition.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Using a dictionary had two main functions: 1) To test a word which was familiar but unrecognized against a number of other hypothetical options in order to find the correct one.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

It's an amalgam of the words croissant (which is French for 'crescent') and doughnut, a word which was actually first written down by writer Washington Irving, who described them as "balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog's fat" in his 1809 History of New York (they were most likely closer in resemblance to doughnut holes, which look more or less like "dough nuts").

Huffington Post

Parlor game as follows: somebody says a word, any word, which is repeated, which is repeated by the next person, who add a word,….

The New Yorker

Generate and broadcast hash ID: Every packet broadcasted by cluster members must include a control word, which is a hash value returned by a certain hash function, e.g., the nonreversible SHA hash function, from the ID of this cluster member.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining a term, use "a word which is" to clearly introduce the definition or characteristic you are about to explain. For example, "Ubiquitous is "a word which is" often used in technology to describe things that are very common".

Common error

Avoid using "a word which is" when a simpler construction like "the word is" or "a word that is" would suffice. Conciseness improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a word which is" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information or description about a specific word. Ludwig shows how this phrase connects a word to its attributes or definition, providing context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a word which is" serves as a relative clause offering definitions and additional details. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently seen across diverse contexts, including news, science, and wiki sources. Although slightly more formal, it's advisable to use the shorter, more common "a word that is" for better conciseness. While grammatically correct, prioritizing clarity and avoiding redundancy ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a term that is

Replaces "which" with "that", offering a more concise and commonly used phrasing.

a phrase that is

Substitutes "word" with "phrase", broadening the scope to include expressions beyond single words.

a concept that is

Replaces "word" with "concept", focusing on the idea the word represents.

a notion that is

Substitutes "word" with "notion", highlighting an idea or belief.

a designation that is

Replaces "word" with "designation", emphasizing the act of naming or identifying something.

a label that is

Substitutes "word" with "label", focusing on the descriptive function of the word.

a name that is

Replaces "word" with "name", highlighting the identifier aspect.

a description that is

Substitutes "word" with "description", focusing on the act of portraying something in words.

something that is called

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the act of naming something.

an expression that is

Replaces "word" with "expression", covering broader linguistic units.

FAQs

How can I rewrite a sentence that uses "a word which is"?

You can often replace "a word which is" with alternatives like "a word that is", "the word is", or simply integrate the description directly into the sentence.

Is "a word which is" more formal than "a word that is"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a word which is" can sound slightly more formal. The choice depends on the overall tone and context of your writing.

When should I use "a word which is" instead of "a word that is"?

In most cases, "a word that is" is preferable due to its conciseness and common usage. However, "a word which is" can be used for emphasis or to maintain a specific stylistic tone.

What's the difference between "a word which is" and "a term which is"?

"A word which is" refers specifically to a single word, whereas "a term which is" can refer to a word or phrase with a specific meaning, expanding the scope beyond just single words.