texture

[ teks-cher ]

noun

1. the visual and especially tactile quality of a surface:

   rough texture.

2. the characteristic structure of the interwoven or intertwined threads, strands, or the like, that make up a textile fabric:

   coarse texture.

3. the characteristic physical structure given to a material, an object, etc., by the size, shape, arrangement, and proportions of its parts:

   soil of a sandy texture; a cake with a heavy texture.

4. an essential or characteristic quality; essence.
5. Fine Arts.
   1. the characteristic visual and tactile quality of the surface of a work of art resulting from the way in which the materials are used.
   2. the imitation of the tactile quality of represented objects.
6. the quality given, as to a musical or literary work, by the combination or interrelation of parts or elements.
7. a rough or grainy surface quality.
8. anything produced by weaving; woven fabric.

verb (used with object)

, tex·tured, tex·tur·ing.

1. to give texture or a particular texture to.
2. to make by or as if by weaving.

texture

/ ˈtɛkstʃə /

noun

1. the surface of a material, esp as perceived by the sense of touch

   a wall with a rough texture

2. the structure, appearance, and feel of a woven fabric
3. the general structure and disposition of the constituent parts of something

   the texture of a cake

4. the distinctive character or quality of something

   the texture of life in America

5. the nature of a surface other than smooth

   woollen cloth has plenty of texture

6. art the representation of the nature of a surface

   the painter caught the grainy texture of the sand

7. 1. music considered as the interrelationship between the horizontally presented aspects of melody and rhythm and the vertically represented aspect of harmony

      a contrapuntal texture

   2. the nature and quality of the instrumentation of a passage, piece, etc

verb

1. tr to give a distinctive usually rough or grainy texture to

texture

/ tĕks′chər /

1. The general physical appearance of a rock, especially with respect to the size, shape, size variability, and geometric arrangement of its mineral crystals (for igneous and metamorphic rocks) and of its constituent elements (for sedimentary rocks). A sandstone that forms as part of an eolian (wind-blown) deposit, for example, has a texture that reflects its small, rounded sand grains of uniform size, while a sandstone that formed as part of a fluvial deposit has a texture reflecting the presence of grains of varying sizes, with some more rounded than others.

Derived Forms

• ˈtextureless, adjective
• ˈtextural, adjective
• ˈtexturally, adverb

Other Words From

• textur·al adjective
• textur·al·ly adverb
• texture·less adjective
• non·textur·al adjective
• non·textur·al·ly adverb
• re·texture verb (used with object) retextured retexturing
• semi·textur·al adjective
• semi·textur·al·ly adverb
• un·textur·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of texture¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin textūra web, equivalent to text ( us ) (past participle of texere to weave) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of texture¹

C15: from Latin textūra web, from texere to weave

Example Sentences

It’s about the experience of the texture and the chase after just a little more of that wisp of flavor.

From Eater

If you’re in muddy country, look for tires with deep, aggressive lugs, and ideally with some lugs or texture on the sides that will provide traction in ruts and other nasty mud holes.

From Popular-Science

While the texture of the fish was apparently realistic, its taste was described as “lacking.”

From Singularity Hub 

These places, these non-corporate spots do so much to add valuable texture and character to our neighborhoods.

From Washington Blade

The silicone exterior is grippy, durable, and feels like a lacrosse ball with added texture.

From Outside Online

A film of the stuff dripped down the side, and I could see its gritty texture.

From The Daily Beast

Not only did it look like and have the texture of crude oil, it tasted like it had been recently drilled.

From The Daily Beast

The slaw is vaguely like piccalilli or relish, but has a taste and drippy texture like no other.

From The Daily Beast

I inquire if I may touch it and find the texture soft and creamy.

From The Daily Beast

As more time passes, the coral that attach give the works entirely new shape, texture, and color.

From The Daily Beast

It was soft and pliable, and of such a texture that it could be washed easier than anything else, either paper or cloth.

From Project Gutenberg

These limestones are hard and possess to a greater or less extent a crystalline texture.

From Project Gutenberg

The leaf is of beautiful appearance, of almost a silky texture, and in color a rich brown.

From Project Gutenberg

The leaf when growing, is in color a fine green, and when cured is of considerable body and fine texture.

From Project Gutenberg

In some countries, however, the leaf grown near salt water is equal in color and texture to any grown in the interior.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• balance
• character
• composition
• consistency
• fabric
• feeling
• makeup
• nature
• pattern
• quality
• sense
• smoothness
• structure
• surface
• taste
• touch