typewriter

Everyday

1. A typewriter is a machine for writing: you press keys and small metal letters hit an inked ribbon, printing letters straight onto paper. tree →
2. It was used in offices and homes before computers became common. tree →

In the lessons

In history and computing lessons, the typewriter shows how writing machines led to the computer keyboard; the QWERTY layout comes from typewriters. In stories, a typewriter suggests an old-fashioned writer or office, with clacking keys and a bell at the end of a line. Phrases: «type on a typewriter», «an old typewriter», «typewriter ribbon».

Examples

• Grandad wrote his letters on a typewriter. tree →
• The typewriter went clack-clack-clack and then ding! tree →
• Our computer keyboard has the same QWERTY letters as an old typewriter. tree →
• You could not delete a mistake on a typewriter, so people used white correction fluid. tree →
• The museum lets children try typing on a real typewriter. tree →
• The writer in the film sat at a typewriter all night. tree →

Note

Countable: a typewriter, typewriters. One word. The verb is «type» (typed, typing); a person who types is a «typist». «Typewriter» is a long English word you can type using only the top row of letters on the keyboard — a fun fact.