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texture

/ˈteks.tʃə/
IELTSAcademic
noun
  1. 1.

    The feel of a surface when you touch it, or the way a material looks and feels. It can be rough, smooth, soft, or hard.

    • This fabric has a soft texture.
    • The wall has a rough texture.
    • I like the texture of fresh bread.
  2. 2.

    The way the parts of something are arranged or mixed together, especially in food, art, or writing.

    • The soup has a creamy texture.
    • Her writing has a rich texture.
    • The painting has a layered texture.

Adinary Nuance

Texture is more specific than feel or surface. Use texture when you talk about how something is made up or how it feels to touch, especially for materials and food. Feel is more general, and surface only names the outside layer. For writing or art, texture suggests detail and variety.

In other languages

Vietnamese
kết cấu
Spanish
textura
Chinese
质地
Japanese
質感
Korean
질감

Etymology

Texture came into English from Latin textūra, meaning 'a weaving' or 'something woven'. The word first referred to the woven feel of cloth, then widened to mean surface feel and structure.

Common phrases

rough texturesoft texturetexture of foodtexture and pattern

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is texture about touch or appearance?
It can be both. It often describes how something feels, and sometimes how it looks.
What is the difference between texture and consistency?
Texture is more general. Consistency is usually used for food, sauces, or mixtures.
Can I use texture in academic writing?
Yes. It is common in science, art, and literary writing.
Is texture a common word?
Yes. People use it often for food, fabrics, and surface descriptions.