tex·ture
ˈteks-chər 
1
a
: the visual or tactile surface characteristics and appearance of something
the texture of an oil painting
b
: the disposition or manner of union of the particles of a body or substance
2
a
: a composite of the elements of prose or poetry
all these words … meet violently to form a texture impressive and exciting—
John Berryman
John Berryman
b
: a pattern of musical sound created by tones or lines played or sung together
4
a
: something composed of closely interwoven elements
specifically
: a woven cloth
b
: the structure formed by the threads of a fabric
5
a
: basic scheme or structure
b
: overall structure
Examples of texture in a Sentence
Noun
wood with a rough texture
the smooth texture of silk
The plant's leaves are almost leathery in texture.
foods with very different textures
The custard should be smooth and creamy in texture.
a song with layered textures
I liked the raw, gritty texture of the film.
The movies are similar in texture.
Recent Examples on the WebAnnie Blay, Allure, 16 Apr. 2024
The interiors are a visual feast: an explosion of color, texture, shape, and objects that resemble something plucked from a surrealist fever dream.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
The company uses plant ingredients to emulate the flavor and texture of chocolate—as do its competitors Foreverland and Voyage Foods.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024
The old formal hierarchy has changed, but the new one is just as strict; shape emphasizes color as color once emphasized texture.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
When opting for top-tier shroom bars, select ones crafted from premium-grade cocoa that boasts a rich and silky texture without being weighed down by harmful additives or other unwanted substances.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Dana Harel’s silk chiffon corset gown featured a distinctive hand-ruching technique to create texture.
—Ivy Manners, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
That can look like a fear of texture, [or] different aversions to smells.
—Rachel Wenzlaff, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The smooth gel-cream texture feels light on the skin and absorbs within seconds for instantaneous nourishment and moisture.
—Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024
Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
That power speaks succinctly to the piano and cello moment, with some additional effectiveness textured deliciously within Howard Ho’s sound design.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Our Tips for the Best Ham Biscuits When making ham biscuits, keep these tips in mind for the most consistent results:
Flour quantity: Spoon and level (or weigh) your flour to achieve the same dough texture every time.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Rich floral and red fruit notes sweetened with honey and textured with hearty oak and brown spices.
—The Courier-Journal, 29 Mar. 2024
The seam in the middle divided two fabrics, one that was smooth and the other textured with a long train that wrapped around her wrist with a gold chain attached.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
Hausmann-Stokes served for five years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in Iraq before pursuing filmmaking full-time; his experience textures the lives of these fictional veterans.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024
Their combined consistency is at once smooth and gently textured, and the taste leans slightly toward sweetness, though slivers of pickled onion strewn over the top bend the overall flavors back toward savory.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Details that in the past might have been highly textured have been lightened considerably, and are even screen-printed or heat-pressed by some brands.
—Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024
Noun
As a bonus, covering the middle of the head with bundles in the same texture as the loose hair creates a fuller look.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 16 Apr. 2024
The interiors are a visual feast: an explosion of color, texture, shape, and objects that resemble something plucked from a surrealist fever dream.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
The company uses plant ingredients to emulate the flavor and texture of chocolate—as do its competitors Foreverland and Voyage Foods.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024
The old formal hierarchy has changed, but the new one is just as strict; shape emphasizes color as color once emphasized texture.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
When opting for top-tier shroom bars, select ones crafted from premium-grade cocoa that boasts a rich and silky texture without being weighed down by harmful additives or other unwanted substances.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Dana Harel’s silk chiffon corset gown featured a distinctive hand-ruching technique to create texture.
—Ivy Manners, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
That can look like a fear of texture, [or] different aversions to smells.
—Rachel Wenzlaff, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The smooth gel-cream texture feels light on the skin and absorbs within seconds for instantaneous nourishment and moisture.
—Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
The fruit is mashed, then bound into tender muffin form with whole-wheat flour and egg, perfumed with cinnamon and vanilla, and textured with a crunch of pecans, for a cakelike experience that is nourishing, too.
—Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
That power speaks succinctly to the piano and cello moment, with some additional effectiveness textured deliciously within Howard Ho’s sound design.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Our Tips for the Best Ham Biscuits When making ham biscuits, keep these tips in mind for the most consistent results:
Flour quantity: Spoon and level (or weigh) your flour to achieve the same dough texture every time.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Rich floral and red fruit notes sweetened with honey and textured with hearty oak and brown spices.
—The Courier-Journal, 29 Mar. 2024
The seam in the middle divided two fabrics, one that was smooth and the other textured with a long train that wrapped around her wrist with a gold chain attached.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
Hausmann-Stokes served for five years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in Iraq before pursuing filmmaking full-time; his experience textures the lives of these fictional veterans.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024
Their combined consistency is at once smooth and gently textured, and the taste leans slightly toward sweetness, though slivers of pickled onion strewn over the top bend the overall flavors back toward savory.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Details that in the past might have been highly textured have been lightened considerably, and are even screen-printed or heat-pressed by some brands.
—Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'texture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near texture
Cite this Entry
“Texture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/texture. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
texture
1 of 2 noun
tex·ture
ˈteks-chər
1
: the structure, feel, and appearance of something (as a fabric)
the smooth texture of silk
wood with a rough texture
2
: a quality that identifies something
texture
2 of 2 verb
textured; texturing
: to give a particular texture to
texture a ceiling
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