text

/tɛkst/

noun

  1. Written or printed words in a book, document, or message, especially when considered as a whole.

    A2

    countable or uncountable

    • "Read the text and answer the questions."A2
    • "The text explores how memory shapes our sense of identity."C1

  2. A short written message sent or received by mobile phone.

    A2

    countableinformal

    • "I sent her a text this morning."A2
    • "I got a text from my friend saying she’d be late."A2

  3. A book or other written work used for study, especially a set work for an exam.

    B1

    countableformal

    • "We are studying three texts for the literature exam."B1

verb

  1. To send someone a written message using a mobile phone.

    A2

    transitive or intransitiveinformal

    • "Text me when you get home."A2
    • "She texted her colleague to confirm the meeting arrangements."B2

Common mistakes

  • texts→text

    Use the uncountable singular 'text' when referring to written content in general; 'texts' means separate messages or works.

  • send a text message to someone's phone number→text someone

    'Text' is commonly used as a verb: 'I'll text you later.'

Collocations

text messagetext editorplain texttext boxtext filefull textbody texttextbook

Word family

textingtextedtextbooktextualtexturecontext