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

Rather than attempting to open out this characteristically talky, structurally stagey drama — four two-character scenes threaded together by narrative ellipses — the writer-director fully embraces the theatricality of the work. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025

The little ellipses appear and disappear, over and over. —Brooke Lieberman, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025

Take one of the most misunderstood punctuation marks of them all: the ellipsis, technically used to indicate a sentence is unfinished, or to add a pause or build suspense. —Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Mar. 2025

You’re attached to ellipses Different generations prefer different punctuation, says Deborah Tannen, a distinguished professor in the linguistics department at Georgetown University and author of books including Conversational Style. —Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Mar. 2025

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