DictionaryAI

text

TEKST/tɛkst/

Pluraltexts (some meanings)

Verbtexts, texting, texted

10 meanings of text

Practice

  1. 1
    written wordsnoununcountable
    Written words, letters, or symbols, not pictures or speech.

    Like all the words on a page put together into one thing.

    The text on the sign was too small to read from the road.

    She copied the text into her notebook word for word.

    UsageSay some text or a page of text for writing in general.

    Similarwriting, wording, words, copy

  2. 2
    nouncolloquialcountableabbreviationellipsis
    Short form of text message: a brief written message sent between phones.

    I got a text from Mom this morning asking about dinner.

    Send me a text when you arrive at the station.

    UsageSay send someone a text or get a text from someone.

    Note
  3. 3
    send messageverbtransitive or intransitive
    To send someone a written message on a phone, or to send messages back and forth.

    Text me when you get home so I know you're safe.

    She texted her friend about the party that night.

    UsageSay text me, or text me the address. The past is texted.

  4. 4
    booknouncountable
    A book or other complete written work.

    This text is required reading for the whole course.

    She carried a heavy text back to the library.

    UsageSay a text on a subject.

    Similarwork, book, volume, treatise

  5. 5
    noununcountable
    The main written part of a book or document, not the pictures, notes, or other extra parts.

    The pictures in this book are great, but the text is too small to read.

    This history book is mostly text, with only a few maps at the back.

    UsageUsually the text, as in in the text of a book.

    Similarcopy

    Note
  6. 6
    computer charactersnoununcountable
    Computer information represented as readable characters, such as letters, numbers, and symbols.

    Like words you can read on a screen, instead of pictures or hidden code.

    Save the file as plain text so anyone can open it.

    This program can read text from almost any kind of file.

    UsageOften in plain text and a text file.

    Oppositebinary

    Note
  7. 7
    Bible versenouncountable
    A short part of the Bible, especially one used as the topic of a sermon or to support a religious teaching.

    The preacher chose a text from the Book of Psalms.

    Each Sunday she explained the text to the children in simple words.

    Similarpassage, verse, scripture

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 8
    themenouncountable
    The main thing that a piece of writing or a speech is about.

    For her talk to the new students, she chose kindness as her text.

    Her text for the evening was a simple one: be kind to strangers.

    UsageOften in take something as your text.

    Similartopic, theme

    Note
  2. 9
    verbdated
    To write something in large, careful letters.
    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
    1607, Phillip Massinger, Beaumont and FletcherHere, text means write in large letters, so it is written across my forehead.
    Note
  3. 10
    noun
    Writing done in large letters, or an old style of printed letters such as black letter.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of text apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Old French from Latin words meaning the way a work is woven together, from a verb meaning "I weave."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts