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.
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Recent Examples on the WebAllure, 30 Nov. 2023
His love for textures was instilled in him by his parents’ relationship with clothing.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 29 Nov. 2023
Lighting effects sweep across her glassy and shimmering textures, while an ambient soundscape by her partner, Salvador Breed, rises and recedes from room to room.
—Amy Verner, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2023
Combining the two not only adds texture, volume, and variety to your arrangement, but your lush centerpiece will likely last longer and cost less.
—Sarah Lemire, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2023
The light and the composition of the plants between the trunks, together with the shapes and colors of the autumn leaves, create texture and balance.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
There are so many ingredients and textures and techniques in this book.
—Jessica Carbone, Saveur, 28 Nov. 2023
Use Retinoids Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that help improve skin texture and minimize wrinkles.
—Hallie Gould, Health, 25 Nov. 2023
Tatcha’s Water Cream is one of the retailer's best-selling moisturizers for its oil-free, gel-like texture.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023
Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 16 Oct. 2023
Colorful Black Founded by Anne-Marie Mendy in 2009, Colorful Black specialized serving the Black and mixed-race communities, with their offerings ranging from complexion to texture.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2023
The sculptures consist of two or more large irregular forms cast in aluminum from chunks of Styrofoam shaped and textured in different ways.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023
Gonzalez features his polychromatic and stucco textured depiction of L.A.’s advertorial landscape on a cotton sweater, canvas workwear jacket and pants.
—The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
The rubber strap is textured with a Clous de Paris pattern, another Polaris feature.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2023
About three-quarters of her dark brunette hair was textured while the hair closest to her roots was straighter.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 21 Aug. 2023
Other accessories included black oval shades, gold textured square pendant earrings, a gold bracelet, and a thin gold chain necklace.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Aug. 2023
These moments — reaching for carnal pleasure but landing somewhere in fleeting-sizzle territory — rarely texture the narrative’s emotional trajectory.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Aug. 2023
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Noun
Now, take a moment to analyze your hair's texture and overall health.
—Allure, 30 Nov. 2023
His love for textures was instilled in him by his parents’ relationship with clothing.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 29 Nov. 2023
Lighting effects sweep across her glassy and shimmering textures, while an ambient soundscape by her partner, Salvador Breed, rises and recedes from room to room.
—Amy Verner, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2023
Combining the two not only adds texture, volume, and variety to your arrangement, but your lush centerpiece will likely last longer and cost less.
—Sarah Lemire, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2023
The light and the composition of the plants between the trunks, together with the shapes and colors of the autumn leaves, create texture and balance.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
There are so many ingredients and textures and techniques in this book.
—Jessica Carbone, Saveur, 28 Nov. 2023
Use Retinoids Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that help improve skin texture and minimize wrinkles.
—Hallie Gould, Health, 25 Nov. 2023
Tatcha’s Water Cream is one of the retailer's best-selling moisturizers for its oil-free, gel-like texture.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023
Verb
The team's approach combined digital scanning with micro-computed tomography—a noninvasive technique often used for cancer imaging—with segmentation to digitally create pages, augmented with texturing and flattening techniques.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 16 Oct. 2023
Colorful Black Founded by Anne-Marie Mendy in 2009, Colorful Black specialized serving the Black and mixed-race communities, with their offerings ranging from complexion to texture.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2023
The sculptures consist of two or more large irregular forms cast in aluminum from chunks of Styrofoam shaped and textured in different ways.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023
Gonzalez features his polychromatic and stucco textured depiction of L.A.’s advertorial landscape on a cotton sweater, canvas workwear jacket and pants.
—The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
The rubber strap is textured with a Clous de Paris pattern, another Polaris feature.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2023
About three-quarters of her dark brunette hair was textured while the hair closest to her roots was straighter.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 21 Aug. 2023
Other accessories included black oval shades, gold textured square pendant earrings, a gold bracelet, and a thin gold chain necklace.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Aug. 2023
These moments — reaching for carnal pleasure but landing somewhere in fleeting-sizzle territory — rarely texture the narrative’s emotional trajectory.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Aug. 2023
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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.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near texture
Cite this Entry
“Texture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/texture. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on texture
Nglish: Translation of texture for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of texture for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about texture
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