What does texted mean?
Texted is the past-tense and past-participle form of the verb “text.” As a verb, it means to send a person a message using a phone or another digital messaging service: “She texted me the news.” It can also function intransitively, as in a statement that two people communicated through text messages. The expression is standard in everyday informal English in both Britain and the United States and has largely replaced the need for more cumbersome constructions such as “sent me a text message.” Less commonly, “texted” is used as an adjective meaning conveyed by text message or covered with written characters. Its history reaches back through “text” to Latin words associated with weaving. Originally, a text was a woven material; the word later came to refer to the structure or wording of a written work, and only much more recently to electronic messages. This history gives “texted” an unexpectedly tangible connection to the craft of weaving.
To send a text message to someone or communicate by text message.
"He texted her to ask whether she had received the parcel."
This is the past tense and past participle of “text.” It is standard informal usage in British and American English.
Conveyed by text message; covered or marked with lettering or words.
"The texted announcement included the meeting time and location."
The adjective is relatively uncommon. Its use for something covered with lettering is less frequent than its use in electronic communication contexts.
Before a text meant a message on a phone, a text was literally woven fabric.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does texted come from?
“Texted” is a regular past-tense and past-participle form of “text,” with the suffix “-ed” added in the usual English way. “Text” entered Middle English from Old French “texte,” ultimately from Latin “textus,” a word associated with “texere,” meaning “to weave.” Latin “textus” could denote woven material before it came to mean a written text. Related English words from the same root include “textile,” “texture,” “pretext,” and “contextual.”
How texted is actually used
As a verb, “texted” is standard informal usage and is especially common in American English, though it is also well established in Britain. The adjective is less common and may sound slightly marked or technical in some contexts.
Easily confused with texted
“Texted” is the past-tense and past-participle form of the verb “text,” whereas “text” can name a written or digital message.