diff --git a/SPEC.md b/SPEC.md
index 5f600e2..3b01822 100644
--- a/SPEC.md
+++ b/SPEC.md
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
   - `read-token`: splits the byte stream; default is whitespace delimited with numeric/string literal recognizers.
   - `on-token`: user code decides whether to interpret, compile, or treat the token as syntax.
   - `lookup`: resolves token → word entry; can be replaced to build new namespaces or module systems.
+- **Definition form**: `word <name> ... end` is the required way to declare high-level words. Legacy `: <name> ... ;` definitions are no longer accepted.
+- **Text macros**: `macro <name> [param_count] ... ;` records tokens until the closing `;` and registers a macro that performs positional substitution (`$1`, `$2`, ...). The old `macro: ... ;macro` form is removed.
 - **Compile vs interpret**: Each word advertises stack effect + immediacy. Immediate words execute during compilation (macro behavior). Others emit code or inline asm.
 - **Syntax morphing**: Provide primitives `set-reader`, `with-reader`, and word-lists so layers (e.g., Lisp-like forms) can be composed.
 - **Inline Python hooks**: `:py name { ... } ;` executes the enclosed Python block immediately, then registers `name` as a word whose behavior is provided by that block. Define a `macro(ctx)` function to intercept compilation (receiving a `MacroContext` with helpers like `next_token`, `emit_literal`, `new_label`, `inject_tokens`, and direct access to the active parser), and/or an `intrinsic(builder)` function to emit custom assembly. This lets end users extend the language—parsing source, manipulating AST nodes, or writing NASM—without touching the bootstrap source. The standard library’s `extend-syntax` and `fn` forms are ordinary `:py` blocks built with these APIs, so users can clone or replace them entirely from L2 source files.
@@ -122,7 +124,7 @@ struct: Point
 ## 14. Standard Library Sketch
 - **Core words**: Arithmetic, logic, stack ops, comparison, memory access, control flow combinators.
 - **Return-stack helpers**: `>r`, `r>`, `rdrop`, and `rpick` shuffle values between the data stack and the return stack. They’re used by the `fn` sugar but also available to user code for building custom control constructs.
-- **Meta words**: Reader management, dictionary inspection, definition forms (`:`, `:noninline`, `:asm`, `immediate`).
+- **Meta words**: Reader management, dictionary inspection, definition forms (`word ... end`, `:noninline`, `:asm`, `immediate`).
 - **Allocators**: Default bump allocator, arena allocator, and hook to install custom malloc/free pairs.
 - **FFI/syscalls**: Thin wrappers plus convenience words for POSIX-level APIs.
 - **Diagnostics**: Minimal `type`, `emit`, `cr`, `dump`, and tracing hooks for debugging emitted asm.
diff --git a/a.sl b/a.sl
index 3a30680..15e1827 100644
--- a/a.sl
+++ b/a.sl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     "hello world" puts
-;
+end
 compile-time main
diff --git a/args.sl b/args.sl
index 6a4b0d6..e303fca 100644
--- a/args.sl
+++ b/args.sl
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     0 argc for
         dup
         argv@ dup strlen puts
         1 +
     end
-;
+end
diff --git a/c_extern.sl b/c_extern.sl
index 6fa23e5..1b8cbad 100644
--- a/c_extern.sl
+++ b/c_extern.sl
@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@ import stdlib/io.sl
 extern long labs(long n)
 extern void exit(int status)
 
-: main
+word main
     # Test C-style extern with implicit ABI handling
     -10 labs puti cr
     
     # Test extern void
     0 exit
-;
+end
diff --git a/f.sl b/f.sl
index 8c6b2e7..df28ba0 100644
--- a/f.sl
+++ b/f.sl
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import stdlib/float.sl
 
 extern double atan2(double y, double x)
 
-: main
+word main
     # Basic math
     1.5 2.5 f+ fputln       # Outputs: 4.000000
     
@@ -13,5 +13,5 @@ extern double atan2(double y, double x)
     4.0 f* fputln           # Outputs: 3.141593 (approx pi)
     
     0
-;
+end
 
diff --git a/fn.sl b/fn.sl
index 5047e2e..f7b32c4 100644
--- a/fn.sl
+++ b/fn.sl
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-: call-syntax-rewrite            # ( fnameToken -- handled )
+word call-syntax-rewrite            # ( fnameToken -- handled )
 	dup token-lexeme identifier? 0 == if drop 0 exit end
 	peek-token dup nil? if drop drop 0 exit end
 	dup token-lexeme "(" string= 0 == if drop drop 0 exit end
@@ -26,34 +26,34 @@ begin
 	# default: append tok to cur
 	list-append
 again
-;
+end
 immediate
 compile-only
 
 
-: extend-syntax
+word extend-syntax
 	"call-syntax-rewrite" set-token-hook
-;
+end
 immediate
 compile-only
 
 
-: fn-op-prec
+word fn-op-prec
 	dup "+" string= if drop 1 exit end
 	dup "-" string= if drop 1 exit end
 	dup "*" string= if drop 2 exit end
 	dup "/" string= if drop 2 exit end
 	dup "%" string= if drop 2 exit end
 	drop 0
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-operator?
+word fn-operator?
 	fn-op-prec 0 >
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-check-dup
+word fn-check-dup
 	>r                              # params          (r: name)
 	0                               # params idx
 begin
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@ begin
 	drop                            # drop comparison flag when no error
 	r> 1 +                          # params idx+1
 again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-params
+word fn-params
 	list-new             # lexer params
 	swap                 # params lexer
 	>r                   # params            (r: lexer)
@@ -90,17 +90,17 @@ begin
 	dup ")" string= if drop r> exit end
 	"expected ',' or ')' in parameter list" parse-error
 again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-collect-body
+word fn-collect-body
 	"{" lexer-expect drop          # consume opening brace, keep lexer
 	lexer-collect-brace             # lexer bodyTokens
 	swap drop                       # bodyTokens
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-lexemes-from-tokens
+word fn-lexemes-from-tokens
 	>r                   # (r: tokens)
 	list-new             # acc
 begin
@@ -114,10 +114,10 @@ begin
 	token-lexeme          # acc lex
 	list-append           # acc'
 again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-validate-body
+word fn-validate-body
 	dup list-length 0 == if "empty function body" parse-error end
 	dup 0 list-get token-lexeme "return" string= 0 == if "function body must start with 'return'" parse-error end
 	dup list-last ";" string= 0 == if "function body must terminate with ';'" parse-error end
@@ -125,11 +125,11 @@ compile-only
 	list-pop drop                  # body expr' (trim trailing ';')
 	list-pop-front drop            # body expr  (trim leading 'return')
 	dup list-length 0 == if "missing return expression" parse-error end
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
 
-: fn-filter-raw-body             # bodyLexemes -- tokens
+word fn-filter-raw-body             # bodyLexemes -- tokens
 	list-new swap                   # out body
 begin
 	dup list-empty? if
@@ -152,11 +152,11 @@ begin
 	r>                              # out' body'
 	continue
 again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
 
-: fn-body->tokens                # bodyLexemes -- tokens
+word fn-body->tokens                # bodyLexemes -- tokens
 	dup list-length 0 == if "empty function body" parse-error end
 	dup 0 list-get token-lexeme "return" string= if
 		fn-validate-body              # expr
@@ -165,10 +165,10 @@ compile-only
 	end
 	fn-filter-raw-body
 	dup list-length 0 == if "empty function body" parse-error end
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-emit-prologue             # params out -- params out
+word fn-emit-prologue             # params out -- params out
 	over list-length              # params out n
 begin
 	dup 0 > if
@@ -181,10 +181,10 @@ begin
 	drop                         # params out
 	exit
 again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-emit-epilogue             # params out -- out
+word fn-emit-epilogue             # params out -- out
 	over list-length >r           # params out   (r: n)
 begin
 	r> dup 0 > if
@@ -196,30 +196,30 @@ begin
 	swap drop                     # out
 	exit
 again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-translate-prologue-loop   # count --
+word fn-translate-prologue-loop   # count --
 	dup 0 > if
 		1 -
 		0 rpick ">r" list-append drop
 		fn-translate-prologue-loop
 		end
 	drop
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-translate-epilogue-loop   # count --
+word fn-translate-epilogue-loop   # count --
 	dup 0 > if
 		1 -
 		0 rpick "rdrop" list-append drop
 		fn-translate-epilogue-loop
 		end
 	drop
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-param-index                # params name -- params idx flag
+word fn-param-index                # params name -- params idx flag
 	>r                             # params        (r: name)
 	0                              # params idx
 
@@ -238,11 +238,11 @@ begin
 	drop                          # params idx
 	1 +                           # params idx+1
 again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
 
-: fn-build-param-map            # params -- params map
+word fn-build-param-map            # params -- params map
 	map-new                         # params map
 	0                               # params map idx
 	begin
@@ -258,11 +258,11 @@ compile-only
 		r> 1 +                         # params map' idx'
 		continue
 	again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
 
-: fn-translate-token            # out map tok -- out map
+word fn-translate-token            # out map tok -- out map
 	# number?
 	dup string>number              # out map tok num ok
 	if
@@ -299,11 +299,11 @@ compile-only
 	swap >r                        # out tok            (r: map)
 	list-append                    # out'
 	r>                             # out' map
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
 
-: fn-translate-postfix-loop     # map out postfix -- map out
+word fn-translate-postfix-loop     # map out postfix -- map out
 	begin
 		dup list-empty? if
 			drop
@@ -317,11 +317,11 @@ compile-only
 		r>                           # map out postfix'
 		continue
 	again
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
 
-: fn-translate-postfix          # postfix params -- out
+word fn-translate-postfix          # postfix params -- out
 	swap                             # params postfix
 	list-new                         # params postfix out
 
@@ -341,15 +341,15 @@ compile-only
 	# drop map, emit epilogue
 	swap drop                         # params out
 	fn-emit-epilogue                   # out
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn-build-body
+word fn-build-body
 	fn-translate-postfix   # words
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: fn
+word fn
 	"(),{};+-*/%," lexer-new         # lexer
 	dup lexer-pop                     # lexer nameTok
 	dup >r                            # save nameTok
@@ -368,6 +368,6 @@ compile-only
 	r> drop                           # drop name string
 	r>                                # name token
 	swap emit-definition
-;
+end
 immediate
 compile-only
diff --git a/gg.sl b/gg.sl
index 123cc6f..e175188 100644
--- a/gg.sl
+++ b/gg.sl
@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@ import stdlib/io.sl
 
 extern long labs(long n)
 
-: main
+word main
     -3 labs puti
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hello.sl b/hello.sl
index d08f7f3..ba48c15 100644
--- a/hello.sl
+++ b/hello.sl
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     "hello world" puts
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index ac11318..ff81b37 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -201,6 +201,7 @@ class Definition:
     body: List[Op]
     immediate: bool = False
     compile_only: bool = False
+    terminator: str = "end"
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -410,11 +411,19 @@ class Parser:
                 continue
             lexeme = token.lexeme
             if lexeme == ":":
-                self._begin_definition(token)
-                continue
-            if lexeme == ";":
-                self._end_definition(token)
+                raise ParseError(
+                    f"':' definitions are no longer supported; use 'word <name> ... end' at {token.line}:{token.column}"
+                )
+            if lexeme == "word":
+                self._begin_definition(token, terminator="end")
                 continue
+            if lexeme == "end":
+                if self.control_stack:
+                    self._handle_end_control()
+                    continue
+                if self._try_end_definition(token):
+                    continue
+                raise ParseError(f"unexpected 'end' at {token.line}:{token.column}")
             if lexeme == ":asm":
                 self._parse_asm_definition(token)
                 continue
@@ -439,13 +448,13 @@ class Parser:
             if lexeme == "do":
                 self._handle_do_control()
                 continue
-            if lexeme == "end":
-                self._handle_end_control()
-                continue
             if self._maybe_expand_macro(token):
                 continue
             self._handle_token(token)
 
+        if self.macro_recording is not None:
+            raise ParseError("unterminated macro definition (missing ';')")
+
         if len(self.context_stack) != 1:
             raise ParseError("unclosed definition at EOF")
         if self.control_stack:
@@ -593,7 +602,7 @@ class Parser:
     def _handle_macro_recording(self, token: Token) -> bool:
         if self.macro_recording is None:
             return False
-        if token.lexeme == ";macro":
+        if token.lexeme == ";":
             self._finish_macro_recording(token)
         else:
             self.macro_recording.tokens.append(token.lexeme)
@@ -638,7 +647,7 @@ class Parser:
 
     def _finish_macro_recording(self, token: Token) -> None:
         if self.macro_recording is None:
-            raise ParseError(f"unexpected ';macro' at {token.line}:{token.column}")
+            raise ParseError(f"unexpected ';' closing a macro at {token.line}:{token.column}")
         macro_def = self.macro_recording
         self.macro_recording = None
         word = Word(name=macro_def.name)
@@ -715,11 +724,24 @@ class Parser:
         self._append_op(Op(op="branch_zero", data=entry["end"]))
         self._push_control(entry)
 
-    def _begin_definition(self, token: Token) -> None:
+    def _try_end_definition(self, token: Token) -> bool:
+        if len(self.context_stack) <= 1:
+            return False
+        ctx = self.context_stack[-1]
+        if not isinstance(ctx, Definition):
+            return False
+        if ctx.terminator != token.lexeme:
+            return False
+        self._end_definition(token)
+        return True
+
+    def _begin_definition(self, token: Token, terminator: str = "end") -> None:
         if self._eof():
-            raise ParseError(f"definition name missing after ':' at {token.line}:{token.column}")
+            raise ParseError(
+                f"definition name missing after '{token.lexeme}' at {token.line}:{token.column}"
+            )
         name_token = self._consume()
-        definition = Definition(name=name_token.lexeme, body=[])
+        definition = Definition(name=name_token.lexeme, body=[], terminator=terminator)
         self.context_stack.append(definition)
         word = self.dictionary.lookup(definition.name)
         if word is None:
@@ -730,10 +752,14 @@ class Parser:
 
     def _end_definition(self, token: Token) -> None:
         if len(self.context_stack) <= 1:
-            raise ParseError(f"unexpected ';' at {token.line}:{token.column}")
+            raise ParseError(f"unexpected '{token.lexeme}' at {token.line}:{token.column}")
         ctx = self.context_stack.pop()
         if not isinstance(ctx, Definition):
-            raise ParseError("';' can only close definitions")
+            raise ParseError(f"'{token.lexeme}' can only close definitions")
+        if ctx.terminator != token.lexeme:
+            raise ParseError(
+                f"definition '{ctx.name}' expects terminator '{ctx.terminator}' but got '{token.lexeme}'"
+            )
         word = self.definition_stack.pop()
         ctx.immediate = word.immediate
         ctx.compile_only = word.compile_only
@@ -1836,7 +1862,7 @@ def macro_compile_time(ctx: MacroContext) -> Optional[List[Op]]:
 def macro_begin_text_macro(ctx: MacroContext) -> Optional[List[Op]]:
     parser = ctx.parser
     if parser._eof():
-        raise ParseError("macro name missing after 'macro:'")
+        raise ParseError("macro name missing after 'macro'")
     name_token = parser.next_token()
     param_count = 0
     peek = parser.peek_token()
@@ -1850,14 +1876,6 @@ def macro_begin_text_macro(ctx: MacroContext) -> Optional[List[Op]]:
     return None
 
 
-def macro_end_text_macro(ctx: MacroContext) -> Optional[List[Op]]:
-    parser = ctx.parser
-    if parser.macro_recording is None:
-        raise ParseError("';macro' without matching 'macro:'")
-    # Actual closing handled in parser loop when ';macro' token is seen.
-    return None
-
-
 def _struct_emit_definition(tokens: List[Token], template: Token, name: str, body: Sequence[str]) -> None:
     def make_token(lexeme: str) -> Token:
         return Token(
@@ -1868,11 +1886,11 @@ def _struct_emit_definition(tokens: List[Token], template: Token, name: str, bod
             end=template.end,
         )
 
-    tokens.append(make_token(":"))
+    tokens.append(make_token("word"))
     tokens.append(make_token(name))
     for lexeme in body:
         tokens.append(make_token(lexeme))
-    tokens.append(make_token(";"))
+    tokens.append(make_token("end"))
 
 
 class SplitLexer:
@@ -2521,8 +2539,7 @@ def bootstrap_dictionary() -> Dictionary:
     dictionary.register(Word(name="immediate", immediate=True, macro=macro_immediate))
     dictionary.register(Word(name="compile-only", immediate=True, macro=macro_compile_only))
     dictionary.register(Word(name="compile-time", immediate=True, macro=macro_compile_time))
-    dictionary.register(Word(name="macro:", immediate=True, macro=macro_begin_text_macro))
-    dictionary.register(Word(name=";macro", immediate=True, macro=macro_end_text_macro))
+    dictionary.register(Word(name="macro", immediate=True, macro=macro_begin_text_macro))
     dictionary.register(Word(name="struct:", immediate=True, macro=macro_struct_begin))
     dictionary.register(Word(name=";struct", immediate=True, macro=macro_struct_end))
     _register_compile_time_primitives(dictionary)
diff --git a/main.sl b/main.sl
index 61bf6cb..4e802d3 100644
--- a/main.sl
+++ b/main.sl
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@ import stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import stdlib/io.sl
 import fn.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     2 40 +
     puti cr
     extend-syntax
     foo(1, 2)
     puti cr
     0
-;
+end
 
 fn foo(int a, int b){
     return a + b;
diff --git a/stdlib/debug.sl b/stdlib/debug.sl
index ff70a45..e0755a2 100644
--- a/stdlib/debug.sl
+++ b/stdlib/debug.sl
@@ -4,15 +4,15 @@
 # and prints that much consequent elements
 # from the stack while not modifying it
 
-: dump
-    1 swap
+word dump
+	1 swap
 	for
-        dup pick
+		dup pick
 		puti cr
-        1 +
+		1 +
 	end
-    drop
-;
+	drop
+end
 
 # : int3 ( -- )
 :asm int3 {
diff --git a/stdlib/float.sl b/stdlib/float.sl
index 6e8504f..d88fbff 100644
--- a/stdlib/float.sl
+++ b/stdlib/float.sl
@@ -86,10 +86,10 @@
 # Output
 extern int printf(char* fmt, double x)
 
-: fput 
+word fput
     "%f" drop swap printf drop
-;
+end
 
-: fputln 
+word fputln
     "%f\n" drop swap printf drop
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/stdlib/io.sl b/stdlib/io.sl
index 48f0c9c..1391177 100644
--- a/stdlib/io.sl
+++ b/stdlib/io.sl
@@ -343,5 +343,6 @@
 }
 ;
 
-: cr 10 putc ;
-: puts write_buf cr ;
+word cr 10 putc end
+
+word puts write_buf cr end
diff --git a/stdlib/mem.sl b/stdlib/mem.sl
index b161ed8..7bc895f 100644
--- a/stdlib/mem.sl
+++ b/stdlib/mem.sl
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import stdlib.sl
 
-: alloc
+word alloc
     0      # addr hint (NULL)
     swap   # size
     3      # prot (PROT_READ | PROT_WRITE)
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ import stdlib.sl
     -1     # fd
     0      # offset
     mmap
-;
+end
 
-: free
+word free
     munmap drop
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/strcmp.sl b/strcmp.sl
index 33a0cb9..ff0e481 100644
--- a/strcmp.sl
+++ b/strcmp.sl
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 import stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import stdlib/io.sl
 
-: strcmp
+word strcmp
     3 pick 2 pick @ swap @ ==
-;
+end
 
-: main
+word main
     "g" "g"
     strcmp
     puti cr
     puts
     puts
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/strconcat.sl b/strconcat.sl
index 4799087..5e5bb25 100644
--- a/strconcat.sl
+++ b/strconcat.sl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import stdlib/io.sl
 
-: strconcat
+word strconcat
     0 pick 3 pick +
     dup
     >r >r >r >r >r >r
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ import stdlib/io.sl
     rot
     drop
     rdrop rdrop rdrop
-;
+end
 
-: alloc
+word alloc
     0      # addr hint (NULL)
     swap   # size
     3      # prot (PROT_READ | PROT_WRITE)
@@ -35,13 +35,13 @@ import stdlib/io.sl
     -1     # fd
     0      # offset
     mmap
-;
+end
 
-: free
+word free
     munmap drop
-;
+end
 
-: strcpy #(dst_addr src_addr len -- dst_addr len)
+word strcpy #(dst_addr src_addr len -- dst_addr len)
     dup
     >r
     swap
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@ import stdlib/io.sl
     swap
     nip
     r> dup -rot - swap
-;
+end
 
-: main
+word main
     "hello world hello world hello " "world hello world hello world"
     strconcat
     puts
-;
+end
diff --git a/t.sl b/t.sl
index 940b705..e5893db 100644
--- a/t.sl
+++ b/t.sl
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ fn foo(int a, int b){
     return a b +;
 }
 
-: main
+word main
     extend-syntax
     foo(3, 2)
     puti cr
     0
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/alloc.sl b/tests/alloc.sl
index 4649f0b..4b989f4 100644
--- a/tests/alloc.sl
+++ b/tests/alloc.sl
@@ -2,22 +2,22 @@ import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 import ../stdlib/mem.sl
 
-: test-mem-alloc
+word test-mem-alloc
     4096 alloc dup 1337 swap !   # allocate 4096 bytes, store 1337 at start
     dup @ puti cr                # print value at start
     4096 free                    # free the memory
-;
+end
 
 struct: Point
     field x 8
     field y 8
 ;struct
 
-: main
+word main
     32 alloc           # allocate 32 bytes (enough for a Point struct)
     dup 111 swap Point.x!
     dup 222 swap Point.y!
     dup Point.x@ puti cr
     Point.y@ puti cr
     32 free            # free the memory
-;
\ No newline at end of file
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/call_syntax_parens.sl b/tests/call_syntax_parens.sl
index 229b874..6f9b5ae 100644
--- a/tests/call_syntax_parens.sl
+++ b/tests/call_syntax_parens.sl
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@ import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 import ../fn.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     2 40 +
     puti cr
     extend-syntax
     foo(1, 2)
     puti cr
     0
-;
+end
 
 fn foo(int a, int b){
     return a + b;
diff --git a/tests/fib.sl b/tests/fib.sl
index 237cea1..4d0b712 100644
--- a/tests/fib.sl
+++ b/tests/fib.sl
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 import ../stdlib/debug.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     1 1 2dup 2dup puti cr puti cr
     +
     dup puti cr
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ import ../stdlib/debug.sl
     r> 3 + puti
     " numbers printed from the fibonaci sequence" puts
     0
-;
+end
 
-: main2
+word main2
     1 2 while over 100 < do
         over puti cr
         swap over +
     end
-;
+end
 
diff --git a/tests/integration_core.sl b/tests/integration_core.sl
index 37c3cc2..46a6ea0 100644
--- a/tests/integration_core.sl
+++ b/tests/integration_core.sl
@@ -9,21 +9,21 @@ import ../fn.sl
 }
 ;
 
-macro: square
+macro square
     dup *
-;macro
+;
 
-macro: defconst 2
-    : $1
+macro defconst 2
+    word $1
         $2
-    ;
-;macro
+    end
+;
 
-macro: defadder 3
-    : $1
+macro defadder 3
+    word $1
         $2 $3 +
-    ;
-;macro
+    end
+;
 
 defconst MAGIC 99
 defadder add13 5 8
@@ -39,46 +39,46 @@ fn fancy_add(int a, int b){
     return (a + b) * b;
 }
 
-: test-add
+word test-add
     5 7 + puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-sub
+word test-sub
     10 3 - puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-mul
+word test-mul
     6 7 * puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-div
+word test-div
     84 7 / puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-mod
+word test-mod
     85 7 % puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-drop
+word test-drop
     10 20 drop puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-dup
+word test-dup
     11 dup + puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-swap
+word test-swap
     2 5 swap - puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-store
+word test-store
     mem-slot dup
     123 swap !
     @ puti cr
-;
+end
 
 
-: test-mmap
+word test-mmap
     0      # addr hint (NULL)
     4096   # length (page)
     3      # prot (PROT_READ | PROT_WRITE)
@@ -91,23 +91,23 @@ fn fancy_add(int a, int b){
     dup
     @ puti cr
     4096 munmap drop
-;
+end
 
-: test-macro
+word test-macro
     9 square puti cr
     MAGIC puti cr
     add13 puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-if
+word test-if
     5 5 == if
         111 puti cr
     else
         222 puti cr
     end
-;
+end
 
-: test-else-if
+word test-else-if
     2
     dup 1 == if
         50 puti cr
@@ -119,34 +119,34 @@ fn fancy_add(int a, int b){
         end
     end
     drop
-;
+end
 
-: test-for
+word test-for
     0
     5 for
         1 +
     end
     puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-for-zero
+word test-for-zero
     123
     0 for
         drop
     end
     puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-struct
+word test-struct
     mem-slot
     dup 111 swap Point.x!
     dup 222 swap Point.y!
     dup Point.x@ puti cr
     Point.y@ puti cr
     Point.size puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-cmp
+word test-cmp
     5 5 == puti cr
     5 4 == puti cr
     5 4 != puti cr
@@ -159,16 +159,16 @@ fn fancy_add(int a, int b){
     6 5 <= puti cr
     5 5 >= puti cr
     4 5 >= puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: test-c-fn
+word test-c-fn
     3
     7
     fancy_add()
     puti cr
-;
+end
 
-: main
+word main
     test-add
     test-sub
     test-mul
@@ -188,4 +188,4 @@ fn fancy_add(int a, int b){
     test-struct
     test-c-fn
     0
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/io_read_file.sl b/tests/io_read_file.sl
index e058829..05230ae 100644
--- a/tests/io_read_file.sl
+++ b/tests/io_read_file.sl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     "/tmp/l2_read_file_test.txt"
     "read_file works\n"
     write_file drop
@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@ import ../stdlib/io.sl
     "unknown read_file failure" puts
     dup                       # file_len file_len file_addr
     exit                       # Exit with returned file_len as the program exit code (debug)
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/io_read_stdin.sl b/tests/io_read_stdin.sl
index 7d68b70..d6208aa 100644
--- a/tests/io_read_stdin.sl
+++ b/tests/io_read_stdin.sl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     1024
     read_stdin   # returns (addr len)
     dup 0 > if
@@ -10,4 +10,4 @@ import ../stdlib/io.sl
     end
     "read_stdin failed" puts
     exit
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/io_write_buf.sl b/tests/io_write_buf.sl
index bcb91e0..a123313 100644
--- a/tests/io_write_buf.sl
+++ b/tests/io_write_buf.sl
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     "hello from write_buf test\n"
     write_buf
     0
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/io_write_file.sl b/tests/io_write_file.sl
index 2b2f8b8..6cd71b6 100644
--- a/tests/io_write_file.sl
+++ b/tests/io_write_file.sl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     "/tmp/l2_write_file_test.txt"  # path
     "hello from write_file test\n" # buffer
     write_file
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@ import ../stdlib/io.sl
     "write failed errno=" puts
     puti cr
     exit
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/loop_while.sl b/tests/loop_while.sl
index f0000bb..34a7677 100644
--- a/tests/loop_while.sl
+++ b/tests/loop_while.sl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     10
     while
         dup 0 >
@@ -10,4 +10,4 @@ import ../stdlib/io.sl
         1 -
     end
     drop
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/loops_and_cmp.sl b/tests/loops_and_cmp.sl
index 6397221..39c4555 100644
--- a/tests/loops_and_cmp.sl
+++ b/tests/loops_and_cmp.sl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     0
     5 for
         1 +
@@ -10,4 +10,4 @@ import ../stdlib/io.sl
     5 5 == puti cr
     5 4 == puti cr
     0
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/mem.sl b/tests/mem.sl
index 4e6de88..b834e36 100644
--- a/tests/mem.sl
+++ b/tests/mem.sl
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     mem 5 swap !
     mem 8 + 6 swap !
     mem @ puti cr
     mem 8 + @ puti cr
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/override_dup_compile_time.sl b/tests/override_dup_compile_time.sl
index 29b3534..5cf6f33 100644
--- a/tests/override_dup_compile_time.sl
+++ b/tests/override_dup_compile_time.sl
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: dup
+word dup
     6
-;
+end
 compile-only
 
-: emit-overridden
+word emit-overridden
     "dup" use-l2-ct
     42
     dup
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@ compile-only
     swap
     list-append
     inject-tokens
-;
+end
 immediate
 compile-only
 
-: main
+word main
     emit-overridden
     puti cr
     0
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/string_puts.sl b/tests/string_puts.sl
index 1c87ef7..668ea85 100644
--- a/tests/string_puts.sl
+++ b/tests/string_puts.sl
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
 import ../stdlib/io.sl
 
-: main
+word main
     "hello world" puts
     "line1\nline2" puts
     "" puts
     0
-;
+end
diff --git a/tests/word_syntax.expected b/tests/word_syntax.expected
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f8f011
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/word_syntax.expected
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+7
diff --git a/tests/word_syntax.sl b/tests/word_syntax.sl
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1566ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/word_syntax.sl
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+import ../stdlib/stdlib.sl
+import ../stdlib/io.sl
+
+word add-two
+    +
+end
+
+word main
+    3 4 add-two
+    puti cr
+    0
+end
diff --git a/tests/word_syntax.test b/tests/word_syntax.test
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1599bd9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/word_syntax.test
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+python main.py tests/word_syntax.sl -o /tmp/word_syntax > /dev/null && /tmp/word_syntax