three dots

8 synonyms for three dots, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

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.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

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

Synonyms by Meaning

1. 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.”

ellipsis dot dot dot suspension points

2. noun

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.”

typing indicator typing bubble

3. noun

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.”

overflow menu kebab menu more options button

How to use three dots

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

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

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

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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