SMS

en-noun

SMS (countable and uncountable, plural SMSes)

SMSes (plural)
S.M.S. (alternative)
S. M. S. (alternative)

/ˌɛs ɛm ˈɛs/

The second spot, “One Thing,” shows the unlikely custom car shop workin', musclebound dude-bro, who loves his iPhone because it consolidates the iPod, camera, cell phone and SMS device he used to carry around in “a little bag.”

2007 October 15, Eric Newman, “iPhone is different things to different dudes”, in Brandweek, volume 48, →ISSN, page 226:

short message service
short message service#English

(uncountable, telecommunications) Initialism of short message service: a system enabling cell phones to send or receive text messages.

short message service

(countable) A text message sent using this system.


SMS

en-verb

SMS (third-person singular simple present SMSes, present participle SMSing, simple past and past participle SMSed)

SMSes (present singular third-person)
SMSing (participle present)
SMSed (participle past)
SMSed (past)
S.M.S. (alternative)
S. M. S. (alternative)

/ˌɛs ɛm ˈɛs/

I SMSed him and asked why he was late.

I can't talk to her: she is too busy SMSing her friends.

short message service
short message service

To send a message on a cell phone via short message service.


text

en-noun

text (countable and uncountable, plural texts)

From Middle English text, from Old French texte (“text”), from Medieval Latin textus (“the Scriptures, text, treatise”), from Latin textus (“style or texture of a work”), perfect passive participle of texō (“I weave”). Cognate to English texture.

der

In the morning, you're vexed / He's on to the next / And you didn't even get no text

2004, Amy Winehouse, Salaam Remi, “Fuck Me Pumps”, in Frank, performed by Amy Winehouse:

(colloquial) Ellipsis of text message, a brief written message transmitted between mobile phones.


text message

en-verb

text message (third-person singular simple present text messages, present participle text messaging, simple past and past participle text messaged)

text messages (present singular third-person)
text messaging (participle present)
text messaged (participle past)
text messaged (past)

I told him to text message you when he's finished.

Please text message the directions to me.

(transitive or intransitive) To transmit a text message.

SMS

to transmit a text message — see also send, text message


short message service

the system for transmitting text messages on mobile phones


sext

sext (third-person singular simple present sexts, present participle sexting, simple past and past participle sexted)

sexts (present singular third-person)
sexting (participle present)
sexted (participle past)
sexted (past)

Blend of sex + text. As a verb, a back-formation from earlier sexting, formed from the noun.

Rebecca Loos claimed she was 'sexted' by Beckham

2007 October 19, Cameron Millar, "Text Mad Brits Top League for Saucy Messages" in the Daily Star, p. 21 (caption)

[…] trying to get into the swing of things by texting my husband (I was a little tipsy, I will admit): "How do you sext someone?" hoping to engage in the latest trend. All I got was, "What!" in reply.

2009 March 1, Wendyl Nissen, “Sexts Suk... Go 4 a Real D8”, in New Zealand Herald, page 35:

The next day, Greg sexted me a few pictures of his package.

2010 October 16, Victoria Gehman, “Sex Suspended, Celibacy Supreme”, in Albany Student Press:

We would talk on the phone for hours and then text and sext the rest of the day.

2013, Olukemi Lawani, First Steps to Flight, page 3:

Sexting sonnets / Under the tables

2022, “Billions”, performed by Caroline Polachek:

(intransitive and transitive) To send a sext.


bluejacking

en-noun

bluejacking (usually uncountable, plural bluejackings)

The act, practice, or activity of sending anonymous text messages to a mobile phone using Bluetooth.


predictive text

(computing) A system for inputting text on a device where individual buttons correspond to several characters that attempts to guess which word was intended (typically out of a writable vocabulary), as opposed to a system where disambiguation is achieved through repeated presses of the same key.

词组联想

function on certain text messaging software


txtspk

Alteration of textspeak, having had all its vowels removed.

Use correct English (or the appropriate language for non-English channels). Txtspk and 13375p34k (modern variants of the English language used for mobile and online communications) are obnoxious to some and completely incomprehensible to others.

2011, Ben Melançon, Susan Stewart, chapter 9, in The Definitive Guide to Drupal 7, Apress, →ISBN, page 200:

(text messaging) Abbreviation of textspeak.


textspeak

For 40 years the society has championed good English – and hasn't been above the occasional criticism of the Queen's own standards of English – but it has finally conceded it cannot survive in the era of textspeak and Twitter.

2012 June 4, Lewis Smith, “Queen’s English Society says enuf is enough, innit?: Society formed 40 years ago to protect language against poor spelling and grammar closes because too few people care”, in The Guardian, London, archived from the original on 2016-03-10:

(informal) The abbreviated, simplified form of language used in text messages, which often elides vowels and omits punctuation and capitalisation.


textual harassment

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Blend of textual + sexual harassment. The term textual harassment is from Mary Jacobus, 'Is There a Woman in This Text?' New Literary History 14 (Fall 1982): 117-41."

Sexual harassment
sexual harassment#English

Sexual harassment by means of explicit text messages.


textonym

When I texted her, I accidentally asked her "Are you at good?" because good is a textonym of home.

Any of a set of words that share the same numeric combination as another when typed using a mobile phone that uses predictive text


strapline

straplines (plural)
strap line (alternative)

(journalism) A secondary heading or headline, especially one printed above another.

(British) A memorable slogan attached to a commercial brand.


textese

(informal) An abbreviated form of language used in texting, instant messaging, chatrooms, etc.


textaholic

Marie, on her bar-stool texting on her mobile (I dread to think what the textaholic's phone-bill will be)...

The minute I got there I realized that I didn't need the loo at all, and so the person in the stall next to me was going to think I was either quite mad, an unsubtle drug fiend or some kind of Rebecca Loos-type pervy textaholic.

2007, Alexandra Heminsley, Ex and the City: You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Dumps You:

Text messaging: most guys prefer to talk than text, but most New Age women are textaholics, so it can be guaranteed if your man's phone keeps on bleeping with a text message notifications^([sic]) it's usually another woman.

(slang) One who spends a great deal of time sending text messages.


sex-text

en-verb

sex-text (third-person singular simple present sex-texts, present participle sex-texting, simple past and past participle sex-texted)

sex-texts (present singular third-person)
sex-texting (participle present)
sex-texted (participle past)
sex-texted (past)

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It was reported [...] they had exchanged raunchy texts. Ms Uchitel denied all that yesterday, saying: "I have never sex-texted in my life."

2009 November 30, “I was at Crown but I never ran into Tiger Woods once, says nightclub hostess”, in News.com.au, archived from the original on 2009-12-03:

Eva Longoria splits from Tony Parker because he was allegedly sex-texting former team-mate's wife Erin Barry

2010 November 19, “Eva's hubby 'sex-texted mate's wife'”, in The Daily Mirror:

Some of Gary's mannerisms reminded her of her ex, the guy she caught sex-texting with the blonde next door.

2011, Diana Kirschner, Sealing the Deal: The Love Mentor's Guide to Lasting Love:

“And stop fondling that damn thing,” Seth snapped. “An army of mafiya thugs could be trooping through that woman’s door, and there you are out in la la land, sex-texting your girlfriend.”

2008, Shannon McKenna, Extreme Danger (The McCloud Brothers, Book 5):

(ambitransitive) To send (someone) a sexually suggestive text message.


textversation

Immediately after this textversation, my concentration clocked off.

2008, Zoe Foster, Air Kisses, Michael Joseph, →ISBN:

If we actually replied to every single message sent to you, we'd all be stuck in an endless loop, replying to one text after the other until we all died (Remember when everyone ended every textversation with a single smiley?)

2010 January 25, “2010 Techtiquette Part 2”, in Manila Bulletin:

You and your child are at the pirate ship park, tucked away in a gated area. Which means you can text your friend without checking your son's whereabouts every fifteen seconds. You're getting consistent LOLs and the occasional OMG—a relaxing, fun textversation.

2012, Laurie Kilmartin, Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us, Abrams Image, →ISBN:

A conversation carried out through text messaging.


multitexting

From multi- + texting, presumably as a play on multitasking.

(neologism) The act of electronically text messaging several people at the same time.

(neologism) The act of electronically text messaging while doing other things, i.e. multitasking.


sexter

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The circulation of sexted images is often intended to shame and disgrace the “sextee,” and sexters can face legal sanctions.

2013, Dafna Lemish, The Routledge International Handbook of Children, Adolescents and Media, page 160:


Weinergate

The now familiar story not only didn't go away, mainly because it was true, but it also morphed into what came to be called Weinergate, cashing in on the congressman's most unfortunate surname.

2015, Mark Y. Herring, Social Media and the Good Life: Do They Connect?, page 30:

(US politics, slang) A sexting scandal of 2011, involving US politician Anthony Weiner.


sextual

en-adj

sextual (comparative more sextual, superlative most sextual)

more sextual (comparative)
most sextual (superlative)

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Below is a short rundown of a few of the top locations for sextual feelings. It's no surprise why these resources are so popular, but at the same time, the ease of sexting can put us in compromising positions if we're not careful.

2013, Margo Strupeck, Seven Deadly Clicks: Essential Lessons for Online Safety and Success, Zest Books, →ISBN:

It was the work of the late conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart that helped to expose the sextual shenanigans of Representative Andrew Weiner, […]

2014, Timothy Stanley, Citizen Hollywood: How the Collaboration between LA and DC Revolutionized American Politics, Thomas Dunne, →ISBN, page 251:

We have heard tales of couples with awesome sextual chemistry, but no sexual chemistry.

2014, Lisa Winning, Carrie Henderson McDermott, He Texted: The Ultimate Guide to Decoding Guys, Gallery Books, →ISBN, page 156:

Of, relating to, or characteristic of sexting.


sextually

en-adv

sextually (comparative more sextually, superlative most sextually)

more sextually (comparative)
most sextually (superlative)

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The story is basically this: On Wednesday a BuzzFeed reporter -- perhaps with sextually challenged New York politico Anthony Weiner on the brain -- posted a story about Lee exchanging private messages with Booker, the bachelor mayor of Newark, N.J.

2013 September 26, Matt Pearce, “Cory Booker's Twitter stripper: 'It's not a sex scandal!'”, in Los Angeles Times:

If you're a slow boiler sexually, then don't get overheated sextually.

2014, Lisa Winning, Carrie Henderson McDermott, He Texted: The Ultimate Guide to Decoding Guys, Gallery Books, →ISBN, page 151:

Last November, 22-year-old Khiry Johnson took the stand on the syndicated daytime television show Divorce Court and accused his significant other, Erin Rodgers, of being sextually untrue. “We both have iPhones, and we both have emojis,” Johnson testified. “Now, I feel like certain emojis shouldn’t just get sent to anybody. I’m referring to emojis with the heart eyes. Blowing a heart kiss. … Even the eggplant that some people refer to as male genitalia.”

2015 April 3, Amanda Hess, “Move Over, Banana”, in Salon:


textident

It doesn’t take much for a driver to have a “textident,” according to Distractology 101, a hands-on tool to teach new drivers how texting, emailing, snacking or other distractions can lead to car accidents.

2011 September 6, Deborah Allard, “Crash course gets young drivers' attention”, in The Herald News:

The key is walking with a friend while you are texting. Any person will do as long as they have clear eyesight. While this may seem rude, you will have your own personal crossing guard to prevent textidents and possibly save your life.

2012, Katie Krall & Katie Kaminsky, "A Hawk's declassified school survival guide", Southwords (Maine Township High School, South), Volume 49, Number 1, 14 September 2012, page 10

Simulator instructor Robert Bliss told Zukowski the "textident" -- an accident caused by texting -- was inevitable.

2013 October 9, Dick Lindsay, “'Distractology 101' simulator teaches Lee students driving, texting don't mix”, in The Berkshire Eagle:

(informal) An accident caused by a driver or pedestrian focused on texting.


text tennis

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(humorous) The exchange of a series of text messages.


fext

en-verb

fext (third-person singular simple present fexts, present participle fexting, simple past and past participle fexted)

fexts (present singular third-person)
fexting (participle present)
fexted (participle past)
fexted (past)

They can be weaponized, as in the case of Bravo’s “Real Housewives,” who now regularly show up at reunions with binders of printed text fights, a.k.a. “the receipts.” “Fexting” also keeps therapists and divorce lawyers busy.

2022 November 7, Reyhan Harmanci, “Love Comes and Goes, but a Screenshot Is Forever”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:


dystextia

en-noun

dystextia (countable and uncountable, plural dystextias)

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2013, A Ravi, VR Rao, JP Klein, “Dystextia: Acute Stroke in the Modern Age”, in JAMA Neurol, volume 70, number 3, →DOI, page 404:

Stroke recognition remains a barrier to care in cerebrovascular disease. Despite an increasing reliance on digital communication, the clinical utility of deficits relating to technology remains unexplored. Dystextia and dystypia, terms used to refer to impairments in texting and typing, respectively, may serve as modern indicators of stroke and provide information regarding stroke duration, symptomatology, and etiological diagnosis.

2019, Amit K. Sharma, Sebastian Fridman, Ezequiel Gleichgerrcht, Luciano A. Sposato, “Dystextia and dystypia as modern stroke symptoms: A case series and literature review”, in Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, volume 180, →DOI, →ISSN, pages 25–27:

(neurology, pathology) Disordered or garbled text messaging associated with medical events like a stroke.


double text

double texts (plural)
double-text (alternative)

And now he’s ‘thumbsed’ it, so technically he was the last one to like, do something, but it still seems like a double text if I text him again…

2021 September 23, Steph Eckardt, quoting Harry Styles, “Harry Styles Paused a Concert to Dole Out Dating Advice”, in W, New York, N.Y.: W Media, →ISSN, archived from the original on 2023-02-06:


double texting

The younger millennials are more privy to double texting. Not in the know? Double texting is when you send two texts without a reply in between, which apparently, is not the way to play the game.

2018 March 20, Brittany Bennett, “7 Ways Older Millennials Text Differently Than Younger Millennials”, in Bustle, New York, N.Y.: Bustle Digital Group, archived from the original on 2021-01-26:

Double texting is on a list of relationship icks in a poll commissioned by the dating site Seeking.

2023 January 10, “Double texting: why needy messages – and smelling bad – could relegate you to the dating ‘ick’ list”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-06-03:


predictive texting

(computing) The composition of messages using predictive text.


chat fiction

chat fiction (countable and uncountable, plural chat fictions)

(uncountable) A format of web fiction written solely in the form of text message or instant messaging conversations.


textmate

→ Cebuano: teksmet

→ Tagalog: teksmeyt

(Philippines) Someone, usually a friend, who one frequently communicates using text messages.