"You should come over later…"
We’ll be the first to admit that the language of texting and social media can be pretty hard to keep up with. Every week, there’s a new term that starts popping up in TikTok comment sections or in the BFF group chat, and you feel incredibly out of touch with society. This time the new trend is "…," one of the most cryptic of all responses. Get ready besties because Text Talk 101 is in session, and today we’re teaching you everything you need to know about what "…" means in texts, and how you use it.
The technical term for those three little dots "…" is an ellipsis, and the literal definition is basically just intentionally leaving out a word(s) or phrase(s) without changing the original meaning. In the text world it’s typically meant to express discomfort, disagreement, or awkwardness. It is also frequently used to express being left speechless.
When this is the case, it might be used something like this:
A: You should let me take you out
B: …
In this context, instead of "…," imagine them saying "well, this is awkward," as in "I’m sorry this is awkward but I’m not interested."
In this sense, you’d use it like this:
A: And then she found out he cheated on her with Kate!
B: …
Here, they just said something so crazy that you can’t believe it, and you don’t even know what to say, so you text back "…" to show that you are absolutely speechless.
Sometimes, "…" can be used in a flirty way, suggesting that one person is interested in something a little more. But make sure the context of the convo is 100% clear so that nobody gets confused about the other’s intentions.
Crush: You should come over later…
In this case, the ellipsis could insinuate that the person may have other intentions.
There are so many different ways you can use "…" in texts, and it’s really up to the texter to decide how to use it. So use your best judgment before replying when reading messages with an ellipsis.
Of course, depending on the context of the convo you’re having, there are a few different ways you can respond. You could breeze past it with a joke to break up any awkward tension. Or you can simply agree with how crazy the tea you just spilled that left your bestie speechless is. When you’re flirting with your crush and they use "…" in a suggestive way, if you’re down for the idea, text them back with a
cute flirty emoji response.
Bri is the editorial assistant at Seventeen covering pop culture, celebrity news, fashion, and beauty. You can probably find her sipping an oatmilk iced chai while searching for the best new makeup products or thrifting her entire wardrobe.
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