the word itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"the word itself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a word when you want to emphasize its meaning or importance. For example, "The word 'empathy' itself is difficult to define."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, the word itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The word itself is not the problem".

Independent

Then the lawyer uttered the word itself.

The New York Times

A debate erupted over the word itself.

The New York Times

The word itself means "mourning".

The New York Times

There's even doubt about the word itself.

Independent

Labour – the word itself – is outdated.

The Guardian

The word itself goes back 700 years.

The Washington Post

"The word itself suggested a limitation".

The New York Times

The word itself has no meaning.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even the word itself is unattractive.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the word itself" when you want to draw specific attention to a term's inherent qualities, origins, or connotations, rather than its general usage.

Common error

Avoid using "the word itself" in contexts where simply stating the word's meaning or origin would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the word itself" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object complement. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in directing attention to a specific word to emphasize its properties, origin, or impact, as demonstrated in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the word itself" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize a specific word's inherent qualities, meaning, or origin. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase serves to draw the reader's attention to the particular term being discussed. Its usage spans various contexts, with a higher frequency in news, media, and scientific writing. While versatile, avoid overuse in simple explanations to prevent redundancy. Consider related phrases like "the term itself" or "the very word" for alternative expressions that suit your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the term itself

Replaces "word" with the more formal "term".

the expression itself

Substitutes "word" with "expression", suitable when referring to phrases or idioms.

the very word

Emphasizes the specific word being discussed.

that particular word

Highlights a specific word from a larger context.

the etymology of the word

Focuses on the origin and historical development of the word.

the meaning of the word

Shifts the focus to the semantic content of the word.

the definition of the word

Highlights the formal definition of the word.

the connotation of the word

Addresses the implied or associated meanings of the word.

the impact of the word

Focuses on the effect or influence of the word.

the use of the word

Emphasizes how the word is employed in language.

FAQs

How can I use "the word itself" in a sentence?

Use "the word itself" to emphasize a particular aspect of a word, such as its origin, meaning, or impact. For example, "The word itself is derived from Latin."

What's the difference between "the word itself" and "the term itself"?

"The term itself" is generally more formal than "the word itself", but they are often interchangeable. Use "term" when referring to a specific or technical vocabulary.

Is it redundant to say "the word itself"?

While it can be redundant if the context is already clear, "the word itself" often serves to draw specific attention to the inherent qualities or implications of a particular word.

What can I say instead of "the word itself"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the very word", "that particular word", or rephrase the sentence to directly address the word's meaning or origin.