noun

three dots

THREE dots

Three dots (noun) means the punctuation mark "...", properly called an ellipsis, used to show that words have been left out, that a sentence trails off, or that a speaker is pausing. Example: “She typed "I guess..." and left it at that.”

noun

The punctuation mark "...", properly called an ellipsis, used to show that words have been left out, that a sentence trails off, or that a speaker is pausing.

"She typed "I guess..." and left it at that."

"Put three dots where you cut the quotation short."

In messaging apps, the animated bubble of three dots shown while the other person is typing.

"The three dots appeared, then disappeared, then appeared again."

In app and web interfaces, the three-dot button (vertical or horizontal) that opens a menu of extra options; formally the overflow or kebab menu.

"Tap the three dots in the corner and choose Delete."

informal A tattoo of three dots arranged in a triangle, usually near the thumb or eye, associated in various contexts with prison or gang culture and often glossed as mi vida loca, "my crazy life".

"The three dots on his hand were a prison tattoo, not a design choice."

How to Use Three dots

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe "..." mark, or the little three-dot button that opens a hidden menu.

When to use it

"Three dots" is the everyday name; use "ellipsis" in editorial and academic contexts and "overflow menu" in interface design.

Memory tip

In formal writing, use exactly three dots for an omission mid-sentence, and four (a full stop plus the ellipsis) when the omission ends a sentence.

Easily confused with

ellipsis → hamburger menu meatball menu colon →

Common pairings

three dots menu three little dots dot dot dot three dots tattoo

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Test yourself on “three dots” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Put _____ where you cut the quotation short.

Synonyms

View more →

ellipsis dot dot dot suspension points typing indicator typing bubble overflow menu kebab menu more options button

Related Words

space colon punctuation ellipsis

Frequently Asked Questions

What do three dots mean in a text message?

Written as "..." at the end of a message, they usually signal hesitation, reluctance, or that something is being left unsaid — the written equivalent of a loaded pause. As an animated bubble, they mean the other person is currently typing.

What is the difference between three dots and an ellipsis?

They are the same thing; "ellipsis" is the formal name for the mark. Typographically a true ellipsis (…) is a single character with fixed spacing, while three full stops typed in a row are three separate characters, but readers treat them identically.

What does the three dots symbol in an app mean?

It is the overflow menu, sometimes called the kebab menu when the dots are vertical. It hides secondary actions such as share, rename, report or delete that would not fit on the main toolbar.

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