caret
Pluralcarets
- 1A small mark ⟨ ‸ ⟩ that shows where a missing word or letter should be added in writing.
Like a little arrow that points to the exact spot where a new word should go.
The teacher drew a caret to show where the missing word should go.
He put a caret between two words and wrote 'very' above it.
Note
- 2The symbol ^ used in math on computers to mean 'to the power of.'
On a calculator, press the caret key to raise a number to a power.
She typed a caret between the numbers to show two to the power of five.
- 3The blinking line on a screen that shows where the next letter you type will appear.
Like a 'you are here' mark on a map, but for the words you type.
Click in the box and the caret will start blinking where you can type.
Move the caret to the end of your message before you add your name.
Similarcursor
Note
- 4A small mark ⟨ ˆ ⟩ shaped like a little roof that goes above a letter in some languages.
The French word 'forêt' has a caret over the e.
Hold the key down on your phone to type a caret over a letter.
Similarcircumflex
Note
- 5A mark ⟨ ˇ ⟩ shaped like a small open v that sits above a letter in some languages.
The name 'Dvořák' has a caret over the r.
He forgot the caret over the c when he wrote the Czech word for tea.
Similarcaron
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Less common meaning
- 6kuh-RET/kəˈɹɛt/A sea turtle with a pointed beak like a bird's, today called the hawksbill.
The fishermen caught a caret near the reef and admired its shining shell.
Long ago, people on the islands collected the shells of carets to make combs.
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of caret apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origins
From Latin caret, meaning "it lacks."
From the French word caret.