what a word

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a word" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise or admiration about a particular word, often in a context where the word is unusual or impactful. Example: "When I first heard the term 'sonder,' I thought, what a word! It perfectly captures the complexity of human experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What a word!

The New York Times

What a word for the best worst picture of the year!

The New York Times

In the case of word meaning, Quine asked: What experience, or empirical evidence, could determine what a word means?

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I asked Mum what a word meant the other day, and she was really taken aback".

The Guardian

These symbols approximated what a word described better than a word ever could.

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes you just need to know what a word or concept means, or get an overview of a research area.

University of California, Berkeley

One of his first tasks was to do a study of what linguists call "sound symbolism" — the way sounds convey meaning independent of what a word actually signifies.

The New Yorker

If it is not clear what a word might mean in a patent for a mechanical device, the device itself serves as a reference.

The Washington Post

Well, sometimes the rules I "long" for (what a word!) are inherently corrupting and result in secrets being kept from the public.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you do not know what a word means (like toilette or stenographer) you can look it up in the back of the book.

The Guardian

Wittgenstein thought that if you wanted to know what a word meant, you should forget the dictionary and examine how it is used by people in the real world, including, I would add, how it appears in art.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a word" to express your reaction to a particular word choice, emphasizing its appropriateness, humor, or peculiarity in a given context.

Common error

Avoid using "what a word" excessively in formal academic or professional writing. Opt for more analytical or descriptive language to maintain a serious and objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a word" primarily functions as an exclamatory remark. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used to express a reaction to a particular word, highlighting its perceived uniqueness, aptness, or strangeness within a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

19%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a word" is a versatile phrase used to express a speaker's reaction to a particular word, often highlighting its unusual or impactful nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While appropriate for expressing subjective opinions, overuse in formal writing should be avoided. Consider alternatives such as "what a term" or "remarkable expression" to tailor the tone to your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a term

Substitutes "word" with "term", focusing on the label itself.

what a phrase

Replaces "word" with "phrase", emphasizing a group of words.

that's quite a word

Indicates that the word is unusual or has a strong impact.

how about that word

Expresses surprise or interest in a more conversational manner.

remarkable expression

Emphasizes the unusual or noteworthy nature of the word.

noteworthy vocabulary

Highlights the importance and interest of the vocabulary used.

striking diction

Focuses on the choice and use of words to create a specific effect.

a curious choice of words

Suggests that the word selection is intriguing and perhaps unexpected.

an interesting locution

Highlights that the way of speaking is peculiar or unique.

words fail me

Expresses an inability to adequately describe something with words.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a word" to express surprise or amusement at a particular word, for example: "The author used the word 'mellifluous,' I thought, "what a word"! It perfectly captures the sound."

What's a more formal alternative to "what a word"?

In formal contexts, instead of "what a word" you could say "the term is noteworthy" or "the diction is striking" to maintain a more objective tone.

Is it appropriate to use "what a word" in academic writing?

While generally acceptable, using "what a word" in academic writing depends on the context. It is best suited for instances where subjective commentary is appropriate, rather than in objective analysis.

What does it mean when someone says "what a word"?

Saying "what a word" typically indicates that the speaker finds the word particularly interesting, unusual, fitting, or impactful in its context. It's often a subjective comment.