document
/ˈdɒk.jʊ.mənt/A written or digital piece of text that contains official information or serves as proof of something. Documents are usually formal and can be stored, shared, or submitted as evidence.
- Please bring all required documents to the visa interview.
- The lawyer reviewed every document before the trial.
- You need a government-issued document to open a bank account.
To record facts, events, or a process in writing, photos, or video — usually in a thorough and careful way. This creates a permanent reference others can check later.
- The journalist documented the effects of the floods in detail.
- Please document every step so the team can follow it later.
- Doctors must document each patient visit in the system.
Adinary Nuance
Document sits in a cluster of near-neighbors — record, file, paper, and report — and choosing the right one changes your tone. A document implies something formal and self-contained, like a contract or an ID; you would not call a quick handwritten note a "document." A record is broader and can be digital, audio, or visual — you keep medical records, not medical documents. A file refers more to how something is stored or organized (a folder, a digital drive) rather than the content itself. A report is a specific kind of document that analyzes or summarizes findings, so every report is a document, but not every document is a report. In academic and IELTS writing, preferring "document" signals formality and precision; "paper" (as in "sign these papers") is softer and more casual.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tài liệu
- Spanish
- documento
- Chinese
- 文件
- Japanese
- 文書
- Korean
- 문서
Etymology
From Latin "documentum" meaning lesson, proof, or example, derived from "docere" (to teach). The word entered English in the 15th century through Old French and gradually shifted from meaning "instruction" to meaning "written proof."
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'document' and 'record'?
- A 'document' is usually a formal written or digital text, like a contract or ID. A 'record' is broader — it can be written, digital, audio, or visual — and focuses more on stored information over time, like medical records or a record of events.
- Can 'document' be used as a verb in academic writing?
- Yes, and it is quite common. Phrases like 'researchers documented the findings' or 'the study documents a clear pattern' are standard in academic and IELTS writing. Using 'document' as a verb signals careful, formal recording.
- Is 'document' formal or informal?
- 'Document' is formal to neutral. As a noun, it is almost always used in formal or professional contexts. As a verb, it suits both academic writing and everyday professional speech. Avoid it in very casual conversation — 'write down' or 'note' sounds more natural there.
- What is the difference between a 'document' and a 'report'?
- A 'report' is a specific type of document that analyzes, describes, or summarizes findings — for example, a financial report or a lab report. Every report is a document, but not every document is a report. A passport or a lease agreement is a document, not a report.