unwritten

adjective

un·​writ·​ten ˌən-ˈri-tᵊn 

1

: not expressed in writing : oral, traditional

an unwritten rule

2

: containing no writing : blank

Synonyms of unwritten

• oral
• verbal
• spoken

Examples of unwritten in a Sentence

They had an unwritten agreement.

an unwritten contract may not be enforceable

Recent Examples on the Web

Even devices with years-old tech inside are still apparently subject to that unwritten rule. — ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

Every founder possesses countless unwritten processes developed through years of experience. — Nicholas Pope, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Matsunori There’s an unwritten rule that restaurants in Fenway like to keep things moving—patrons in this part of town often have Red Sox games or concerts at MGM Music Hall to catch. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026

Such a challenge almost never leads to a penalty in the Premier League, where the unwritten rule is that the attacker simply needs to be stronger. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unwritten

• unwritten constitution
• unwritten law
• unwritten/unspoken rule

Rhymes for unwritten

• handwritten
• honiton
• rewritten
• typewritten
• bitten
• briton
• chiton
• gittin
• kitten
• mitten
• smitten
• whitten

Kids Definition

unwritten

adjective

un·​writ·​ten ˌən-ˈrit-ᵊn 

ˈən-

1

: not put in writing : oral, traditional

an unwritten law

2

: containing no writing : blank

unwritten pages