caret
1 synonym for caret, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A mark used by writers and proofreaders to show that something should be inserted at that point in the text.
How to use caret
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
insert a caret
blinking caret
caret symbol
move the caret
The proofreading sense is the traditional one, while the on-screen cursor sense is the one most people meet day to day.
Etymology
Caret comes from the Latin word caret, meaning 'it lacks', the form of the verb careo, to lack, used because the mark shows where something is missing from the text.
Full origin of caret →Frequently asked questions
What does caret mean?
It is a small mark used to show where something should be inserted in a text, and the same word also names the ^ symbol and the blinking cursor on a screen.
What is a caret used for in writing?
Proofreaders and editors use it to mark the exact spot where a missing word, letter or punctuation mark should be added.
Is caret the same as a cursor?
On a screen, the caret is the blinking line or bar marking the text-insertion point, which is one specific kind of cursor.
