ellipsis

noun

el·​lip·​sis i-ˈlip-səs 

e-

plural ellipses i-ˈlip-ˌsēz 

e-

1

a

: the omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete

b

: a sudden leap from one topic to another

2

: marks or a mark (such as … ) indicating an omission (as of words) or a pause

Examples of ellipsis in a Sentence

“Begin when ready” for “Begin when you are ready” is an example of ellipsis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Like how some boomers use ellipses like regular periods, leaving their texts oddly ominous… Steve Martin posted a pic of him, Martin Short, and Meryl Streep on his IG. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024

These two work by means of elision and ellipsis, unfolding in sections separated by roughly 20 years. —Charles McGrath, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024

Ganger is full of enjambment and ellipses, ideas competing with one another or allowed to drift into the ether, each of them odder and more specific than the last. —Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

On Friday, Towns posted an ellipsis on X, a subtle signpost that changes might be ahead. —Wayne Sterling, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek elleipsis ellipsis, ellipse, from elleipein to leave out, fall short, from en in + leipein to leave — more at in, loan

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

ellipsis

noun

el·​lip·​sis i-ˈlip-səs 

e-

plural ellipses -ˈlip-ˌsēz 

1

: the leaving out of one or more words that are not necessary for a phrase to be understood

"begin when ready" for "begin when you are ready" is an example of ellipsis

2

: marks or a mark (as …) used to indicate that something (as words) has been left out