noun

XML

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XML (noun) means a text format for storing and sending structured data, in which you define your own labels and wrap each piece of information in matching opening and closing tags. Example: “The supplier sends the daily stock list as an XML file.”

noun

technical A text format for storing and sending structured data, in which you define your own labels and wrap each piece of information in matching opening and closing tags.

"The supplier sends the daily stock list as an XML file."

"Podcast feeds are XML underneath, even though listeners never see it."

How to use XML

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishXML is a way of writing data in text using tags you choose yourself.

When to use it

Take "an" before it in speech: "an XML document". Often described as verbose compared with newer formats.

Memory tip

XML looks like HTML because both use angle-bracket tags, but they do different jobs: HTML has fixed tags a browser knows how to display, while XML tags are whatever you decide and carry no display meaning.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

HTML → JSON → XHTML RSS

Common pairings

XML file XML feed parse XML XML schema well-formed XML

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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?

The supplier sends the daily stock list as an _____ file.

Etymology

An initialism of extensible markup language, so named because users define their own tags rather than being limited to a fixed set.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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extensible markup language markup format

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between XML and HTML?

HTML has a fixed vocabulary of tags with agreed meanings for displaying documents in a browser. XML lets you invent your own tags to describe data, and says nothing about how that data should look. HTML is for presenting; XML is for carrying information between systems.

What is the difference between XML and JSON?

Both hold structured data as text. XML is more verbose and supports attributes, namespaces and formal schemas; JSON is more compact and maps neatly onto the data structures of most programming languages. JSON is now more common for web APIs, while XML remains widespread in documents, feeds and older enterprise systems.

What does "well-formed" XML mean?

It means the document obeys XML's basic syntax rules: every tag is closed, tags nest properly, and there is a single root element. A parser will refuse a document that is not well-formed, regardless of what the data says.

What is the meaning of XML?

"XML" (noun) means a text format for storing and sending structured data, in which you define your own labels and wrap each piece of information in matching opening and closing tags.