What does "text" mean?
A writing consisting of multiple glyphs, characters, symbols or sentences.
Text
/tɛkst/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A writing consisting of multiple glyphs, characters, symbols or sentences.
- Grammar: text is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: a book, abecedarium, abecedary, abstract.
- Useful contrasts: learning diagram, notational symbols, pictorial representation.
- Usage evidence: I tend to look at the pictures before reading the text.
How to use "text"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "text" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "text" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "text" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "text" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "text" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a book" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "text", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A writing consisting of multiple glyphs, characters, symbols or sentences. countable, uncountable
- 2 the words of something written wordnet
- 3 A book, tome or other set of writings. countable, uncountable
- 4 the main body of a written work (as distinct from illustrations or footnotes etc.) wordnet
- 5 Ellipsis of text message, a brief written message transmitted between mobile phones. abbreviation, alt-of, colloquial, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
"In the morning, you're vexed / He's on to the next / And you didn't even get no text"
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 a book prepared for use in schools or colleges wordnet
- 7 Data which can be interpreted as human-readable text. countable, uncountable
- 8 a passage from the Bible that is used as the subject of a sermon wordnet
- 9 A verse or passage of Scripture, especially one chosen as the subject of a sermon, or in proof of a doctrine. countable, uncountable
- 10 Anything chosen as the subject of an argument, literary composition, etc. broadly, countable, uncountable
- 11 A style of writing in large characters; also, a kind of type used in printing. countable, uncountable
"German text"
Verb
- 1 To send a text message to; i.e. to transmit text using the Short Message Service (SMS), or a similar service, between communications devices, particularly mobile phones. transitive
"Just text me when you get here."
- 2 to send a message by SMS or similar text-based messaging service wordnet
- 3 To send and receive text messages. intransitive
"Have you been texting all afternoon?"
- 4 To write in large characters, as in text hand. dated
"I wish / (Next to my part of Heav'n) that she would spend / The last part of her life so here, that all / Indifferent judges might condemn me for / A most malicious slanderer, nay, text it / Upon my forehead"
Antonyms
learning diagramnotational symbolspictorial representationsolar-system diagram
Example
"I tend to look at the pictures before reading the text."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "text"?
Common synonyms include: a book, abecedarium, abecedary, abstract, acknowledgment, acknowledgments.
How do you use "text" in a sentence?
I tend to look at the pictures before reading the text.
How do you pronounce "text"?
Pronounced /tɛkst/.
Etymology
From Middle English text, from Old French texte (“text”), from Medieval Latin textus (“the Scriptures, text, treatise”), from Latin textus (“style or texture of a work”), perfect passive participle of texō (“I weave”). Cognate to English texture.