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noun Uncommon

dots

Dots (noun) means plural of dot; also used for the punctuation mark of three dots (an ellipsis) showing an unfinished thought or omitted text. Example: “She trailed off mid-sentence, replaced by three dots in the text message.”

noun
1
Plural of dot; also used for the punctuation mark of three dots (an ellipsis) showing an unfinished thought or omitted text.
"She trailed off mid-sentence, replaced by three dots in the text message."
"The fabric was covered in tiny blue dots."

How to Use Dots

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMore than one dot — including the "..." used to show a pause or missing text.

Common pairings
dot dot dot polka dots connect the dots
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Fill the Gap

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She trailed off mid-sentence, replaced by three _____ in the text message.

Related Words

Rhymes for dots

See all rhymes for dots →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “dots” mean?

The word “dots” means plural of dot; also used for the punctuation mark of three dots (an ellipsis) showing an unfinished thought or omitted text. In plain terms, more than one dot — including the "..." used to show a pause or missing text.

How do you use “dots” in a sentence?

Here is “dots” used in a sentence: “She trailed off mid-sentence, replaced by three dots in the text message.”

What part of speech is “dots”?

“Dots” is a noun.

Is “dots” a common word?

“Dots” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between "dots" and an "ellipsis"?

"Dots" is the general plural of "dot," referring to small round marks. "Ellipsis" refers specifically to the punctuation mark made of three dots in a row, used to show an unfinished thought or omitted text.

How many dots make up an ellipsis?

An ellipsis is made up of three dots in a row, used as a punctuation mark to indicate an unfinished thought or that text has been omitted.

What does it mean when someone writes "dot dot dot" instead of using the punctuation mark?

Saying or writing "dot dot dot" is an informal, spoken-out way of referring to an ellipsis, the three-dot punctuation mark that shows an unfinished thought or omitted text.

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