typewriter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'typewriter' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an old-fashioned machine used to type documents, usually with a mechanical keyboard. For example, "Many authors still prefer to write their books on a typewriter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was balding even in youth, a little bent and a little brooding over his typewriter so they seemed joined in intensity.

The Guardian

Each is a collage of printed and painted images, plus yards and yards of mechanical type thumped out on an old-fashioned bulletin typewriter, a "big old monster" that Spero hired for the project.

The Guardian - Arts

Or, in her London life, coming out of the flat where she had paced round and pecked at the typewriter all day to wander for hours through the night-time streets.For too long she had played the game of being pleasant, fitting in.

The Economist

Can it be that at 67, the hothead in the vanilla suit and riverboat-gambler's hat has actually lost his touch?In this section Atlanta burnt again The age of innocence The word made flesh But who plays the typewriter?

The Economist

A girl's been turned into a woman, A woman turned into a corpseSalvo after salvo rattled from the Solzhenitsyn typewriter, always interleaved with carbon copies for fear that the secret police would seize the manuscript.

The Economist

In 1976 he was in court again, charged preposterously with having raided a bank in Putney after popping out to buy some typewriter ribbons.

The Economist

He was of the old school, and had been so long in the commentary dodge that he sometimes called his computer his typewriter (though keeping up, as nimbly as any 20-something, with the blargon and cellphoney-baloney of the age).

The Economist

She took the notes, on her clackety Royal typewriter, and also drove their puttering Ford on the giant western trips they made in the late 1930s; the books that resulted, notably "California and the West", were as much hers as his, but she was seldom credited.

The Economist

HAD it not been for the humble typewriter, Austin might have been all politics and football, and no venture capital.

The Economist

Within a year, the nuclear tests had been abandoned, and President Richard Nixon had turned Amchitka into a nature reserve.Finding he preferred the tiller to the typewriter, Mr Hunter abandoned journalism for a while.

The Economist

AMONG the souvenirs in Gabriele Albertini's office is an old typewriter that belonged to Indro Montanelli, a conservative editor whose clash with (and split from) his proprietor, Silvio Berlusconi, is a journalistic legend in Italy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a setting or time period before the widespread adoption of computers, using the word "typewriter" adds authenticity and detail.

Common error

Avoid using "typewriter" when referring to modern computers or word processors. The term specifically denotes a mechanical or electromechanical device for printing characters.

Linguistic Context

The word "typewriter" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a specific mechanical device used for printing text. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "typewriter" is a grammatically correct and very common noun, predominantly found in News & Media. Ludwig AI provides many examples demonstrating its usage in diverse contexts, often highlighting its historical significance. When referring to the modern devices you should use "keyboard" instead. Using "typewriter" evokes a sense of nostalgia and precision, reminding us of a time before digital word processing became ubiquitous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typing machine

Refers to the machine itself, emphasizing its function of typing.

manual typewriter

Specifies the type of typewriter that requires manual operation.

electric typewriter

Specifies the type of typewriter powered by electricity.

keyboard device

A broader term encompassing various keyboard-based input devices, including typewriters.

word processor (archaic)

An outdated term to describe the historical context of typewriters before the advent of computers.

text composer

Focuses on the typewriter's function as a tool for composing text.

writing implement

A general term that includes typewriters as a tool for writing.

mechanical keyboard

Highlights the keyboard component and its mechanical operation.

printing apparatus

A broader term referring to any device used for printing, including typewriters.

office machine

Categorizes the typewriter as a piece of equipment commonly found in offices.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who uses a "typewriter"?

You can refer to them as a "typist" or someone who is "typing". For example, "The "typist" meticulously transcribed the manuscript".

Is it correct to use "typewriter" when referring to a computer keyboard?

No, "typewriter" specifically refers to a mechanical or electromechanical machine for typing. Use "keyboard" when referring to a computer input device.

What is the historical significance of the "typewriter"?

The "typewriter" revolutionized document creation, making it faster and more legible than handwriting. It significantly impacted offices, literature, and journalism.

What are some alternatives to using a "typewriter" today?

Alternatives include computers with word processing software, tablets, and smartphones. Cloud-based document editors like Google Docs are also popular.