German word

Wortlaut

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɔɐ̯tlaʊ̯t/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwording

Example

Der genaue Wortlaut steht im Vertrag.

The exact wording is stated in the contract.

Illustration for Wortlaut (wording)

More examples

Der Journalist gab den Wortlaut der Aussage wieder.

The journalist reproduced the exact wording of the statement.

Core concept

The precise sequence of words that remains when a text or utterance is quoted exactly.

Common phrases

  • der genaue Wortlaut

    the exact wording

  • im Wortlaut

    verbatim

  • den Wortlaut wiedergeben

    reproduce the wording

Similar words

Formulierung: The way an idea or fact is put into words.
Wortwahl: The specific words chosen to convey a particular meaning.
Ausdruck: A way of expressing a thought or feeling in words.

Definition in German

Die exakt wiedergegebene Wortfolge eines Textes oder einer Äußerung.

Word origin

The noun is a Germanic compound of Wort and Laut, linking words with their audible or expressed form rather than with their meaning.

Usage tips

  • Wortlaut is masculine: der Wortlaut, des Wortlauts, with the plural die Wortlaute.

Other meanings

  • phrasingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • wortgetreuword-for-wordadjective
  • wortwörtlichliteraladjective

Word lists with this word