in one word

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in one word" is correct and is usable in written English.
You can use it to ask someone to give a brief response to a question or to express a single concept succinctly. For example: "Describe her in one word."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Sometimes in one word".

The New York Times

In one word, action".

The Guardian - Film

England in one word Predictable.

The Guardian - Sport

But in one word – jobs".

The Guardian

This book was fantastic, in one word.

The Guardian

He replied in one word: "submarines".

The Guardian - Opinion

In one word, Katniss is a survivor.

The Guardian

I can answer in one word: Victory.

The New Yorker

England in one word Watershed (hopefully).

The Guardian - Sport

England's performance in one word Kournikova.

The Guardian - Sport

England's performance in one word Unsurprising.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in one word" to encourage concise and impactful responses, especially when seeking immediate impressions or core descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "in one word" if the subject matter requires a more nuanced or detailed explanation. Sometimes, limiting responses to a single word can oversimplify complex issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in one word" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the manner in which something should be expressed. It prompts the speaker or writer to provide a highly concise summary. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in one word" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to solicit a concise summary or description. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where brevity and impactful communication are valued. While it is versatile, remember that forcing a complex idea into a single word can lead to oversimplification. Consider the context and audience when using this phrase. Authoritative sources such as The Guardian, Huffington Post, and The New York Times frequently employ this phrase, demonstrating its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in brief

Focuses on shortness or conciseness but doesn't specify a single word.

in summary

Highlights the act of summarizing without emphasizing brevity to one word.

to put it briefly

Emphasizes brevity and succinctness.

in a nutshell

Conveys compactness and completeness within a small space.

succinctly

Adverb that focuses on concise expression but doesn't limit the description to just one word.

to be concise

Focuses on conciseness without a specific word count.

in short

Highlights brevity, without needing a single word.

briefly stated

Stresses brevity in the statement.

to summarize

Highlights the summarization process.

in essence

Emphasizes the core nature of something, though without focusing on word count.

FAQs

How can I use "in one word" in a sentence?

You can use "in one word" to ask for a concise summary or description. For example, "Describe your experience "in one word"."

What is a synonym for "in one word"?

While there isn't a direct synonym, you can use phrases like "in brief", "in summary", or "to put it briefly" to achieve a similar effect.

Is it always appropriate to ask for a response "in one word"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Using "in one word" is best when a quick, top-of-mind impression is desired. For complex or nuanced topics, a more detailed response is often necessary.

What kind of answers can I expect when asking "in one word"?

When asking "in one word", expect concise, often emotionally charged or immediate responses. These answers are usually subjective and highlight the most salient aspect of the topic for the respondent.