textual

adjective

tex·​tu·​al ˈteks-chə-wəl How to pronounce textual (audio)
-chəl
: of, relating to, or based on a text
textuality noun
textually adverb

Did you know?

Before the invention of the printing press, books were produced by hand. When the text of a book is copied this way, textual errors can creep in, and a text that's been copied again and again can contain many such errors. By comparing different copies of a work, textual critics try to figure out where the copyists went wrong and restore the text to its original form so that modern readers can again enjoy the correct versions of ancient texts. When a class performs textual analysis of a poem, however, they are looking closely at its individual words and phrases in an effort to determine the poem's meanings.

Examples of textual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The contrivances required for the characters not to figure out the true identities of their mysterious correspondents are a little much, but director and co-writer Maria Torres (working from Wendy Mora’s novel) applies a light touch to both the in-person romance and the textual courtship. Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024 By translating textual descriptions into seamless 3D animations, Motivo exemplifies Meta’s vision of integrating AI into immersive digital experiences. Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 Another example, posted by Google product lead Logan Kilpatrick, shows the model reasoning its way through a problem that involves both visual and textual elements. Emma Roth, The Verge, 19 Dec. 2024 The city will also likely contend that while the Modell law invites textual interpretation, that is common with statutes and ought not to render this law unconstitutional. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for textual 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English textuel, from Medieval Latin textus text

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of textual was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near textual

Cite this Entry

“Textual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/textual. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

textual

adjective
tex·​tu·​al ˈteks-chə(-wə)l How to pronounce textual (audio)
: of, relating to, or based on a text
textuality
ˌteks-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē
noun
textually
ˈtek-chə-(wə)l-ē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on textual

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