noun

HTML

AYCH-tee-em-EL

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HTML (noun) means the language used to set out the content and structure of a web page — marking which parts are headings, paragraphs, lists, images, links and so on — using tags written around the text. Example: “If you view the source of any web page you will see its HTML.”

noun

technical The language used to set out the content and structure of a web page — marking which parts are headings, paragraphs, lists, images, links and so on — using tags written around the text.

"If you view the source of any web page you will see its HTML."

"The email client stripped the HTML and showed the message as plain text."

How to use HTML

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHTML is what tells a browser which bits of a page are headings, links, pictures and text.

When to use it

Uncountable in general use ("some HTML"), countable when referring to files ("an HTML file"). Written in capitals.

Memory tip

HTML is a markup language, not a programming language: it labels content rather than carrying out instructions. It is also an open standard, freely usable and not a trademark or a product owned by anyone.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

CSS → XML → XHTML Markdown →

Common pairings

HTML file raw HTML semantic HTML HTML tag HTML email render HTML

Vocabulary Flow

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

If you view the source of any web page you will see its _____.

Etymology

An initialism of hypertext markup language. It was devised by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN around 1990 as part of the original World Wide Web.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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hypertext markup language markup web markup

Related words

markup Markdown

Frequently asked questions

Is HTML a programming language?

No. HTML marks up content — it says "this is a heading, this is a link" — but it cannot make decisions, repeat actions or calculate anything. Programming logic on a web page comes from a language such as JavaScript.

What is the difference between HTML and XML?

HTML has a fixed set of tags with meanings a browser understands, and is designed for displaying documents to people. XML lets you define your own tags and is designed for carrying structured data between systems, with no built-in idea of how anything should look.

What is the difference between HTML and CSS?

HTML defines what is on the page and how it is organised; CSS defines how it is presented. Changing HTML changes the content, changing CSS changes the appearance.

What is the meaning of HTML?

"HTML" (noun) means the language used to set out the content and structure of a web page — marking which parts are headings, paragraphs, lists, images, links and so on — using tags written around the text.

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markup Markdown