📌 What Does Send Word Mean?
To send word means to deliver a message or give information, usually through someone else or by any means of communication—like a note, call, or text.
It’s a way of saying: “Let me know,” “Tell me,” or “Inform someone.”
📜 Origin or Background of Send Word
The idiom send word is an old-fashioned expression with roots in historical military and messenger systems. Before phones or the internet, people relied on runners, letters, or town criers to “send word” across villages or battlefields.
In old plays or novels (think Shakespearean or medieval times), characters often say, “Send word when the battle begins,” or “Send word to the king.”
💬 How Is Send Word Used Today?
While slightly formal or old-fashioned, send word is still used in modern English, especially when:
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Making polite requests for updates.
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Giving instructions to pass along information.
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In emergency or official settings, e.g., news, rescue, military.
🎭 Tone or Formality of the Idiom
✅ Tone: Neutral to formal
✅ Formality: Slightly formal or literary, but still used casually
It’s not slangy, but it fits well in both professional and creative conversations, especially in writing or storytelling.
✍️ Five Sentence Examples Using Send Word
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Please send word if the meeting gets canceled—I'll be offline for a bit.
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The rescue team promised to send word as soon as they reached the summit.
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If anything changes, just send word through Marco.
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She told her assistant to send word to the press before noon.
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Before leaving for war, he said, “Send word if the baby arrives early.”
🧠 Tips & Memory Aids for Remembering Send Word
💡 Visual Trick: Picture a medieval knight handing a scroll to a pigeon or a pageboy. He says: “Send word to the queen!”
🔁 Word Pair Memory: It’s always "send" + "word" (never "give word" or "deliver word").
🎵 Rhyming Reminder:
"If you're not heard, just send word!"
😂 A Short, Silly Story to Remember It
Once upon a time, a wizard forgot his cellphone before heading into a magical forest. He told his dragon, “If the pizza delivery comes early, send word!”
The dragon, confused, yelled “WOOOORD!” so loudly it echoed for miles. The pizza guy heard it and found him.
And that’s how dragons learned to deliver messages. 🐉📬
✨ Final Thoughts: Expand Your Idiom Toolbox!
Now that you’ve mastered send word, why not explore more expressive idioms? Try fun ones like spill the beans, break the ice, or hit the books.
👉 Check out our Idioms and Expressions Library to boost your English power!