JavaScript
2 synonyms for JavaScript, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A programming language that runs inside a web browser and makes pages do things — respond to clicks, update without reloading, validate what you type, animate elements. It also runs on servers and other devices.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use JavaScript
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
vanilla JavaScript
JavaScript framework
client-side JavaScript
disable JavaScript
JavaScript engine
Abbreviated JS in everyday developer speech and in filenames (.js). Capitalised with an internal capital S.
Etymology
From Java, the name of an unrelated programming language, plus script. The language was originally released under a different name and renamed to JavaScript for its launch.
Full origin of JavaScript →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Java and JavaScript?
They are entirely different languages that happen to share part of a name. Java is a general-purpose language usually compiled and run on a virtual machine, common in enterprise systems and Android apps; JavaScript was built for web browsers and runs directly in them. Knowing one does not mean you can read the other.
What is the difference between HTML, CSS and JavaScript?
HTML is the content and structure of a page, CSS is how it looks, and JavaScript is what it does. A page can exist with only HTML; CSS and JavaScript are layered on top for appearance and behaviour.
Is JavaScript the same as ECMAScript?
ECMAScript is the formal standard that defines the language, and JavaScript is the name almost everyone uses for the language itself. In practice the terms are used interchangeably, though version numbers such as ES2015 refer to the standard.
