1 B1 neutral
To produce a complete, organized written account based on notes, research, or experience.
"I need to write up my notes from the conference before I forget the details."
separable
write up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To produce a full, organized, or finished written account of something, such as a report, review, or article.
In plain English
To write all your notes or ideas out properly in a neat, complete piece of writing.
What does "write up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To write a published review or article about something, especially with a positive or favorable angle.
"The food critic wrote up the new restaurant for the Sunday supplement."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
(American English) To officially report someone for breaking a rule at work or school.
"The manager threatened to write him up if he was late one more time."
separable
Usage tip
Very common in academic, journalistic, and professional contexts. A 'write-up' as a noun refers to the finished document itself. In American English, 'write up' can also mean to officially report someone for a rule violation at work or school.
Words that pair with "write up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
report notes findings results review experiment
How to conjugate "write up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
write up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
writes up
he/she/it
Past simple
wrote up
yesterday
Past participle
written up
have + pp
-ing form
writing up
continuous
Hear "write up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "write up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.