ellipsis
noun
el·lip·sis
i-ˈlip-səs 
e-
plural ellipses
i-ˈlip-ˌsēz
e-
1
a
: the omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete
b
: a sudden leap from one topic to another
2
: marks or a mark (such as … ) indicating an omission (as of words) or a pause
Examples of ellipsis in a Sentence
“Begin when ready” for “Begin when you are ready” is an example of ellipsis.
Recent Examples on the Web
Like how some boomers use ellipses like regular periods, leaving their texts oddly ominous… Steve Martin posted a pic of him, Martin Short, and Meryl Streep on his IG.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
These two work by means of elision and ellipsis, unfolding in sections separated by roughly 20 years.
—Charles McGrath, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024
Ganger is full of enjambment and ellipses, ideas competing with one another or allowed to drift into the ether, each of them odder and more specific than the last.
—Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
On Friday, Towns posted an ellipsis on X, a subtle signpost that changes might be ahead.
—Wayne Sterling, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ellipsis 
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Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
These two work by means of elision and ellipsis, unfolding in sections separated by roughly 20 years.
—Charles McGrath, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024
Ganger is full of enjambment and ellipses, ideas competing with one another or allowed to drift into the ether, each of them odder and more specific than the last.
—Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
On Friday, Towns posted an ellipsis on X, a subtle signpost that changes might be ahead.
—Wayne Sterling, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ellipsis
Articles Related to ellipsis
Dictionary Entries Near ellipsis
Cite this Entry
“Ellipsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ellipsis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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ellipsis
noun
el·lip·sis
i-ˈlip-səs
e-
plural ellipses
-ˈlip-ˌsēz
1
: the leaving out of one or more words that are not necessary for a phrase to be understood
"begin when ready" for "begin when you are ready" is an example of ellipsis
2
: marks or a mark (as …) used to indicate that something (as words) has been left out
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