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No other tattoo designs convey a message as clear as word tattoos. Yeah, you’re right; it’s because the message is literally written on your skin! No cryptic symbols or surreal images for people (and most importantly, yourself) to wonder what your ink means. And although you might think that these are very simple tattoos, just wait until you see the examples we’ve rounded up in our list. They’re often very far from simple and definitely inspiring!

As it usually goes, you might feel like you’d want to get one of those meaningful word tattoos but aren’t exactly sure what the design should look like and what the words should say. No worries, though; we got your back with these word tattoo ideas. You have your Latin sayings here, stuff like Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum. Of course, only the rara avis’es of our modern-day society will understand such tattoos with meaning hidden under an extinct language, but let them wonder! Then, you’ll see a bunch of reminders to Breathe, Love, Laugh, and so on and so forth in this tattoo inspo mix. Again, why not? Sometimes we do forget the simplest things! And lastly, there’s a good portion of fun little sayings and poems for all the pranksters among us (or hidden inside of us until we see these tattoo ideas). Truly, ideas for word tattoos are absolutely limitless!

So, if you’re all set, let’s skip to the word tattoo gallery, shall we? Once you’ve checked out the cool tattoos, rank the ones you’ve liked the most since now they’re in no particular order. After that is all well and done, be sure to share this article with your friends!

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#2

Morticia Addam's Quote, Done By Jozefina Azis At Rock 'N' Roll Tattoo & Piercing In Gdańsk, Poland

Decorative word tattoo with spider, featuring quote about normality and chaos, ideal for new ink inspiration.

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Rwby Couch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I JUST figured out Morticia kinda sounds like mortician( are morticians like the people that prep the dead for funerals when they die, right? Correct me if I'm wrong)

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#3

Harry Potter Marauders Map Tattoo, With Words That Appear Under Black Light

UV ink tattoo saying "I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good" with footprints, a unique word tattoo idea.

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#4

You Can Never Cross The Ocean

Inspirational word tattoo with an anchor, focusing on courage and adventure.

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#8

By Hiten At Hudson Valley Tattoo Company In Wappingers Falls, NY

Handwritten word tattoo on wrist saying, "I'm so proud of you. Love, Grandpa."

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#15

Dumbledore Quote And Colorful Gryffindor Lion By Joanne Baker At Semper Tattoo In Edinburgh, Scotland

Colorful lion tattoo with quote on arm, showcasing creative word tattoo ideas with vibrant watercolor effect.

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#16

My First Tattoo Had To Be A Sentimental One, My Moms Favorite Saying To Me In Her Hand Writing!

Arm with "you'll be alright" word tattoo, showcasing a simple ink design.

Done by Elekktra at Beneath the Surface in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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#17

I Got My Lettering Tattoo Reworked By Giom At Eden Body Arts In Dallas, Texas

Word tattoo featuring flowers and the phrase "be kind to yourself" on an arm.

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#18

Quote From "Atticus" And Done By Apprentice Zoe Sandrock At Sonic Soul Tattoo, Germany

Word tattoo idea featuring rose and barbed wire on thigh.

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#19

Hagrid Quote By Vitor At Innerlight Tattoo In Torrance, CA

Tattoo of a red folded umbrella with inspirational words around it on an arm, perfect for new ink ideas.

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#22

Dark Tower Quote And Feather Done By Petra At Handsome Cabinboy Tattoo In Prince George, BC

Feather tattoo with the phrase "Go then, there are other worlds than these" on an arm.

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#27

Doctor Who Quote By Tag At Dabs Studio, Southport, UK

"Forearm tattoo with the words 'Laugh hard, run fast, be kind' as part of word tattoo ideas for new ink."

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BeepBoop the Single Pringle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that looks like it's over a scar. You're a champ. Those can hurt really bad, which is why I'll never get them over my scars

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#28

Some What Healed Alice In Wonderland Quote With Wild Flowers Done By Travis Combs Monkey Bones In Dayton OH

"Script tattoo with 'Do you suppose she's a Wildflower' and colorful floral designs on an arm."

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#32

Sunflower & Quote From Harold And Maude. Done By Jacqueline At Soma Tiger Tattoo In Toronto

Word tattoo idea featuring a sunflower and the phrase "Go and love some more" intricately inked on skin.

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#33

Self Love By Janelle Hanson at Anchors End Tattoo in Duluth, MN

Tattoo with the phrase "Fall in love with yourself" on forearm, featuring purple watercolor background.

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#34

Memorial Tattoo For My Gran, South Wales (UK) The Emporium By Hollz

Floral word tattoo featuring a purple flower and sentimental text on a person's leg.

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#35

First Tattoo! Quote From Hp, Done By Sarah At Trilogy Tattoo And Body Piercing Memphis, TN

Chest with script word tattoo saying, "It is our choices that show who we really are, far more than our abilities."

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#39

Kc At Loyalty Tattoo In West Babylon, NY Copied My Mom’s Handwriting With Ease

Close-up of a word tattoo on skin with floral design, featuring a handwritten phrase and "xoxo."

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#40

Classic Spongebob Done By J Kirsch Of Sinful Art Tattoo In Glassboro NJ

Cartoon word tattoo on a forearm with a banner reading "HOW TOUGH ARE YA?" decorated with a flower.

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#43

My Dad Said He Knows Already. By Andy At Sleepy Bones In Hamilton, ON

Word tattoo on thigh says "Forgive me father for I am sin" in black ink.

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#44

A Quote From A Tears For Fears Song With A Simple Globe Done By Eric At High Street Tattoo In Columbus, OH

Word tattoo saying "Everybody wants to rule the world" with a globe and plane design on arm.

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#46

Simple “It” Inspired Throat Tatty By Ronnie At Starlight Tattoo In Las Vegas, NV

Neck tattoo with "LOVER" altered from "LOSER" in creative word tattoo design.

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#47

Quote In My Dads Handwriting Who Passed. Boca Raton, FL At Black Pelican Done By Shane Woodward

Inspirational word tattoo on forearm.

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bri bri
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I read, "the dragon isn't failing - it's not trying". It didn't sound right so I had to reread it lol

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#48

Hunter S. Thompson Quote Done By Shelby At Ohana Tattoo Parlor In Michigan

Tattoo on forearm reads "No sympathy for the devil," showcasing a word tattoo idea for new ink.

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#49

Rwe Quote In Memory Of My Sister Who Recently Passed. By - Joel At Old Faithful Tattoo, Walnut Creek, USA

Word tattoo reading "Drink the wild air" with a red heart on an arm.

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#50

Finally Got My First Ink! Done By Brittany At Color Theory In Lombard, IL

A unique word tattoo on a forearm in elegant script style.

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#51

Pointless Fears

Tattoo of three fish with text: "pointless," "friendly," "enemy" on a person's leg. Word tattoo idea inspiration.

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BeepBoop the Single Pringle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's really hard to read. I don't think it would last in the long run. For anyone curious it says pointless fears on the first fish, friends on the second fish, and enemies on the last fish.

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#54

Text Added To Sleeve By Amanda At Lighthouse Tattoo Co In Grand Rapids, Michigan

Word tattoo on forearm with geometric design above, featuring the phrase "A LITTLE BIT OF."

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#55

A Belted King Fisher Done By Cassie At Heart Of Gold Tattoos In Philadelphia

Bird and flowers tattoo with "No Gods No Cameras" text, a creative ink idea for new word tattoos.

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#56

Fun And Bright Broccoli By O.J. At High Hopes In Wollongong, Australia

Broccoli tattoo with "Eat Ya Greens" banner on arm, showcasing unique word tattoo ideas.

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#58

Mel, Aus Red Panda Tattoo From FnBlue While She Is Visiting From Thailand

Red panda tattoo with "Welcome to Your Paradise" text on arm, perfect for new ink ideas.

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#59

"The Sadness Will Last Forever" Vincent Van Gogh Quote Tattoo Done By Rachel At Ink Bar Tattoo In Aurora, IL

Close-up of a cursive script word tattoo with a misspelling on skin.

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#60

House Tyrell Words Done By Jen Culotta At Emerald Tattoo In Lodi, CA

Word tattoos on wrists reading "growing" and "strong" with a yellow rose, highlighting inspirational ink ideas.

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#64

Grounded

"Word tattoo on ankle, text reads 'grounded' in black ink. Simple design for new ink inspiration."

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, being grounded becomes a good thing!

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#66

Just Got This Quote From The Musical “Wicked” By Lauren At Addictions Salem, OR. Though I’m Thinking I Will Do A Bigger Semicolon Later, I Love It!

Word tattoo on forearm reading "It's just life; keep dancing through" in black ink.

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#67

Lotus Flower And Mac Miller Quote I Got From Byron At Cloud N9ne In Chatham, IL

Word tattoo featuring a red lotus flower with the phrase "Will you follow me wherever my mind goes" in cursive.

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#71

Scardust (My Favorite Band) By Matheus, Tattoizem Studio Tel Aviv, Israel

Colorful eggplant tattoo design with "Scardus" lettering, perfect for word tattoo ideas and inspiration.

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#72

Quote From Carl Sagan's Pale Blue Done By Caity Rose At Perigee Moon In Cape May, NJ

Minimalist word tattoo reading "That's here. That's home. That's us." with starburst design.

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#73

Daffodils, Snowdrops And Bible Quote Goldsmith Tattooer, Jolie Rouge In London

Colorful word tattoo on arm with flowers, featuring the phrase "fearfully and wonderfully."

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#74

First Tattoo Of Guy Fawkes Mask And Blade And Rose With Quote. Done At All About Ink By Drake. Pensacola, FL

Tattoo design showcasing a mask and the phrase “Ideas Are Bulletproof” with a rose, highlighting word tattoo ideas.

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#75

Worthy Of All

"Cursive word tattoo reading 'worthy of all' on skin."

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#76

Some Important Words By Carrie New Rose. Portland, OR

Forearm tattoo with the phrase "do it scared" in cursive font, showcasing word ink design.

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#78

2nd Tatt, Perks Of Being A Wallflower Quote Psycho Tattoo II, By Josh The Hand

Infinity word tattoo on skin, featuring the phrase "and in that moment, we were infinite."

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#80

Bye Bye My Blue

Minimalist word tattoo saying "bye bye my blue" in a simple rectangular outline on skin.

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#82

Typewriter And Kerouac Quote By Cupa At Players Club In Huntington Beach, CA

Typewriter tattoo with papers reading "Everyone goes home in October" as a unique word tattoo idea.

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#91

Artist: Esteban Aviles, Alpha Red Studios, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Word tattoo featuring a lamb, a cross, and the words "CRUCEM TUAM" and "TOLLE" on skin.

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#92

Minimalist Toucan With Guaraní Word, Done By Aldo Jiménez At Teju Jagua Tatuajes In Asunción, Paraguay

Line tattoo of a toucan and text on a person's arm, showcasing a creative word tattoo idea.

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#94

Here

Word tattoo on forearm reading "Marina, Marina, Marina, ti voglio per sempre sposa" in minimalist font.

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Dalilah DeLarge
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's an italian song. I always thought it said "sposar" not "sposa" (this is making me sound like Hermione)

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#97

Purity

Word tattoo "Purity" in bold black lettering on skin.

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D00FINSHMERTZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately the word of choice plus the font style automatically makes me think of white supremacists.

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