Meaning & Definition
adjective
Not put into writing; not documented.
There are many unwritten rules in the office that everyone seems to follow.
Not recorded or expressed in a tangible form; existing only in thought or oral tradition.
The unwritten history of the community was passed down through generations.
Not officially established or recognized; informal or implicit.
He followed the unwritten guidelines of etiquette during the meeting.
Etymology
From the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'written', the past participle of 'write'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
unwritten rules:
Rules that are understood but not formally laid out.
unwritten contract:
An agreement that is not documented but is recognized by the involved parties.
unwritten law:
A set of principles or norms that guide behavior without being codified.
Slang Meanings
Something widely recognized without being formally stated.
In the office, there's an unwritten rule that we don't talk politics during lunch.
A code of conduct that everyone seems to follow.
In our group, we have some unwritten guidelines about how we share tasks.